Posts
I'm a day early for this post, but this is my available time. Part of me is sad this year because I'm remembering, and missing, the huge Thanksgiving meals we used to have at my grandparents' house. I miss Grandma and Grandpa, and I miss the family gathering.
On the other hand, there is so much for which to be thankful and celebrate this year. First off, I survived unemployment with money to spare, and I am somehow able to immediately purchase a house--THAT is HUGE! Of course, there's also the fact that I found a job that matches my interests extremely well without compromise, so that's a real blessing in such a crumby economy. For that matter, the job and the community are probably a better fit than I was aware or would have designed.
I certainly cannot forget my family. My parents, who continue to love and support me, and who gave me shelter [again] this summer as I transitioned--how wonderful! It's great that I'll be spending the holiday with them. Even though I won't be spending this holiday with other family, it is still a blessing to have such amazing love and support--looking forward to seeing everyone at Christmas.
Of course, I must be thankful for my friends, too. One thing I realized this summer is just how many amazing friends I have all over the country. It's fantastic! I'm actually pretty surprised that I ended up moving someplace where I don't know anyone (although I do know people who used to live here).
I'm sure there is much more for which I should and will give thanks, but that should suffice for now. Since I'm thankful for a job, I should get to bed so I can go to work on time and rested in the morning.
Love, peace, and joy to all this holiday season!
Tuesday, November 23, 2010
Monday, November 22, 2010
New Beginning
Oddly, although I don't have much keeping me occupied in my spare time, I have not been inspired to write. Apologies extended to my readers.
I've been at ISU and in Terre Haute now for just over a week. In my first day at ISU, I received an ISU t-shirt and a label pin from HR, and received a welcome card from the president later in the week. I'm sure I'll discover the usual junk and politics down the road, but it's nice to have a welcoming start! The first week was a pretty casual mix of reading stuff to get my bearings, getting things organized, and attending meetings. I did co-facilitate a seminar on Thursday, so it has not been extremely slow. The lack of any fiery baptismal is making it a little tough to judge the whole scene, but I'm pretty sure I'm in a good place and a good job.
Home life is OK. I'm living in a one-bedroom, furnished university apartment that is pretty decent although the couch has much to be desired (which is the only seating beyond "dining" chairs) and the floor is all tile. On the flip side, it's the nicest tiny kitchen I've ever encountered. House purchasing continues to move right along, and closing should still happen around Dec. 6. I still have not made arrangements for moving all of my stuff from Ohio (storage).
The "stuff" and home factor are both making this a slow start. I don't have a home in which to get settled, and I don't have any of my office stuff for the workplace. So, "home" and work are both pretty sterile right now. All in due time, though.
Wireless internet is certainly nice, though, and I've enjoyed having my Facebook connections and online chats! At some point, I need to get out and about in Terre Haute--and even around ISU--possibly meeting some people. With all of the transitions and holidays, though, I don't mind if that waits until 2011.
That's really about it for now. Oh, it turns out that my dissertation was posted online with a major typo on the title page! It looks like a revised copy is going to be uploaded, but my department at BG had to "cash in their chips" to make it happen. Oops. I'm happy for it, though. I can live with typos, but a title page reading "Doctor of Eduation" does not bode well for credibility.
OK, I really think that is all for now. I'll stay alert for creative moments and get some more writing up soon. Cheers!
I've been at ISU and in Terre Haute now for just over a week. In my first day at ISU, I received an ISU t-shirt and a label pin from HR, and received a welcome card from the president later in the week. I'm sure I'll discover the usual junk and politics down the road, but it's nice to have a welcoming start! The first week was a pretty casual mix of reading stuff to get my bearings, getting things organized, and attending meetings. I did co-facilitate a seminar on Thursday, so it has not been extremely slow. The lack of any fiery baptismal is making it a little tough to judge the whole scene, but I'm pretty sure I'm in a good place and a good job.
Home life is OK. I'm living in a one-bedroom, furnished university apartment that is pretty decent although the couch has much to be desired (which is the only seating beyond "dining" chairs) and the floor is all tile. On the flip side, it's the nicest tiny kitchen I've ever encountered. House purchasing continues to move right along, and closing should still happen around Dec. 6. I still have not made arrangements for moving all of my stuff from Ohio (storage).
The "stuff" and home factor are both making this a slow start. I don't have a home in which to get settled, and I don't have any of my office stuff for the workplace. So, "home" and work are both pretty sterile right now. All in due time, though.
Wireless internet is certainly nice, though, and I've enjoyed having my Facebook connections and online chats! At some point, I need to get out and about in Terre Haute--and even around ISU--possibly meeting some people. With all of the transitions and holidays, though, I don't mind if that waits until 2011.
That's really about it for now. Oh, it turns out that my dissertation was posted online with a major typo on the title page! It looks like a revised copy is going to be uploaded, but my department at BG had to "cash in their chips" to make it happen. Oops. I'm happy for it, though. I can live with typos, but a title page reading "Doctor of Eduation" does not bode well for credibility.
OK, I really think that is all for now. I'll stay alert for creative moments and get some more writing up soon. Cheers!
Thursday, October 28, 2010
Why I'm Still Single
The One I Seek (or Why I’m Still Single)
She loves the outdoors, especially aesthetically, preferring mountain or beach to city scape.
She enjoys leisurely hikes through the forest.
She will join me in learning to hang glide, even if it makes her nervous, or perhaps she becomes my teacher.
She enjoys the thrill of a roller coaster, the tranquility of a floating canoe, and the pure essence of a rose garden.
She plays golf, or at least would enjoy walks around a golf course just for the stroll.
She sips coffee or wine for relaxation in the moment rather than intoxication.
She is warmed by gentle caress upon her skin and hair, is excited for sexual exploration, and finds peace in warmth shared body to body naked in mid-day sunlight, glow of the moon, or aura of an evening fire.
She appreciates artistry and sees art naturally present in the world around her.
She is mentally, physically, and spiritually strong enough to solo navigate life’s journey, but would rather share the adventure.
She laughs often because it feels good, and her face is most natural with a smile.
She is passionately motivated by something beyond her self and is more concerned with what she gives and what she shares than what she receives.
She appreciates the journey far more than the destination.
She knows truth is love and love is truth.
She Is, and she Will Be, far more than she ever Was.
Tuesday, September 21, 2010
Time for Equality!
I'm fed up, pissed off, and ready to rant tonight. The US Senate blocked to opportunity to vote--TO VOTE--regarding Don't Ask, Don't Tell. For the love of humanity, when is the political machine of this country--my country--going to actively abandon prejudice and bigotry?!?!
Let's have a little test.
Scenario 1: two people love each other very much and decide to get married in a church (or someplace else if you wish). They live and grow together, and eventually start a family. As time passes, one spouse grows "tired" of the relationship and seeks rejuvenation through sexual exploits with other people to whom s/he is not married. As a result of the sexual exploits, the unfaithful spouse contracts a sexually transmitted disease and is hospitalized. The faithful spouse executes his/her right as a spouse to visit in the hospital, where s/he serves papers of intent to divorce and take the children.
Scenario 2: two people love each other very much and decide to legally marry through a Justice of the Peace. They live and grow together, and eventually decide to start a family though adoption. They remain a happy, loving family for many years. Eventually, one spouse is diagnosed with a fatal illness and is admitted to the hospital. The healthy spouse visits every day and does his/her best to strengthen the family's loving bond, and also to make sure all legal documents are in order for the spouse's passing (including guardianship of the children).
Which scenario above is deemed "immoral" and "illegal" by many "socially conservative" citizens of the United States? If you are considering the potential for a homosexual relationship, then Scenario 2 is illegal, as demonstrated below.
two people love each other very much and decide to legally marry [ILLEGAL] through a Justice of the Peace. They live and grow together, and eventually decide to start a family though adoption [ILLEGAL]. They remain a happy, loving family for many years. Eventually, one spouse is diagnosed with a fatal illness and is admitted to the hospital. The healthy spouse visits every day [ILLEGAL] and does his/her best to strengthen the family's loving bond, and also to make sure all legal documents are in order [ILLEGAL] for the spouse's passing (including guardianship of the children) [ILLEGAL].
I realize Don't Ask, Don't Tell is not an issue about marriage, it is a military issue. But let's be honest, it is not just a "military" issue. It is a social issue reflecting an increasingly stubborn and ignorant moral bigotry in this great country of espoused freedom. I am truly outraged that we, as a citizenry, cannot find a middle ground of freedom and acceptance regarding homosexuality.
If anybody cares, I'm straight. Frankly, I can only hope that I will one day have a loving relationship like those so many of my homosexual friends have discovered. Love is a blessing. For the "In God We Trust" moralists I call my neighbors, consider love to be a blessing bestowed upon us by God. Our human weakness in the form of ignorance, fear, and hatred is denying love among consenting adults, along with so many legal rights associated with marriage. It is truly time for change.
Let's have a little test.
Scenario 1: two people love each other very much and decide to get married in a church (or someplace else if you wish). They live and grow together, and eventually start a family. As time passes, one spouse grows "tired" of the relationship and seeks rejuvenation through sexual exploits with other people to whom s/he is not married. As a result of the sexual exploits, the unfaithful spouse contracts a sexually transmitted disease and is hospitalized. The faithful spouse executes his/her right as a spouse to visit in the hospital, where s/he serves papers of intent to divorce and take the children.
Scenario 2: two people love each other very much and decide to legally marry through a Justice of the Peace. They live and grow together, and eventually decide to start a family though adoption. They remain a happy, loving family for many years. Eventually, one spouse is diagnosed with a fatal illness and is admitted to the hospital. The healthy spouse visits every day and does his/her best to strengthen the family's loving bond, and also to make sure all legal documents are in order for the spouse's passing (including guardianship of the children).
Which scenario above is deemed "immoral" and "illegal" by many "socially conservative" citizens of the United States? If you are considering the potential for a homosexual relationship, then Scenario 2 is illegal, as demonstrated below.
two people love each other very much and decide to legally marry [ILLEGAL] through a Justice of the Peace. They live and grow together, and eventually decide to start a family though adoption [ILLEGAL]. They remain a happy, loving family for many years. Eventually, one spouse is diagnosed with a fatal illness and is admitted to the hospital. The healthy spouse visits every day [ILLEGAL] and does his/her best to strengthen the family's loving bond, and also to make sure all legal documents are in order [ILLEGAL] for the spouse's passing (including guardianship of the children) [ILLEGAL].
I realize Don't Ask, Don't Tell is not an issue about marriage, it is a military issue. But let's be honest, it is not just a "military" issue. It is a social issue reflecting an increasingly stubborn and ignorant moral bigotry in this great country of espoused freedom. I am truly outraged that we, as a citizenry, cannot find a middle ground of freedom and acceptance regarding homosexuality.
If anybody cares, I'm straight. Frankly, I can only hope that I will one day have a loving relationship like those so many of my homosexual friends have discovered. Love is a blessing. For the "In God We Trust" moralists I call my neighbors, consider love to be a blessing bestowed upon us by God. Our human weakness in the form of ignorance, fear, and hatred is denying love among consenting adults, along with so many legal rights associated with marriage. It is truly time for change.
Monday, September 20, 2010
Dissertation "wordle"
Since my dissertation is now ready for defense, I figured I would create a Wordle. So, here it is:
Cheers!
Create your own Wordle in seconds at http://www.wordle.net/
Cheers!
Create your own Wordle in seconds at http://www.wordle.net/
Tuesday, July 27, 2010
Identity of a Pack-rat
I've been accused of being a pack-rat before, and for good reason. I am. I'm pretty sure I'm not in danger of ending up on the TV show Hoarders, but I certainly own way more crap than one person should own. Rather, my stuff owns me to a certain degree.
Until tonight, I've credited this toward a potentially unhealthy sense of self sufficiency. Since my first year in college, I've tried very hard to have everything I need for any foreseeable situation I might choose for myself. For example, I own a bunch of camping equipment because I will conceivably camp at any moment (although I rarely do). Conversely, I don't own snow skis because I don't ski and don't imagine I would randomly decide to find snowy slopes tomorrow. I keep almost all of my boxes because I move a great deal. You get the idea.
Well, tonight I'm realizing some additional reality. It's about identity. To a certain extent, it's my challenge as an introvert--so much of my personality is internalized that I surround myself with expressions of myself for others to see. Perhaps more importantly, it comes down to my choices of when to move on with my vocational and life journey. You see, this is the second time I've ended a chapter of my journey without knowing what comes next. This creates an unusual paradox. On one hand, moving should be a time of rejuvenation and purging--getting rid of things that aren't worth moving. On the other hand, with this type of move into the unknown, my life is lacking in purpose which challenges my identity; as such, I cling to my possessions which help define me rather than purging them for some known future. There's the paradox: a time for renewal and a struggle to maintain identity.
This just occurred to me about five minutes ago, so I'm not sure what to do with it right now. I'm well into the moving process, and I have a job interview in the morning. For now, I think I just need to keep moving forward. Now that I realize the paradox, perhaps I can effectively deal with it at a later time. Right now, I need sleep.
Until tonight, I've credited this toward a potentially unhealthy sense of self sufficiency. Since my first year in college, I've tried very hard to have everything I need for any foreseeable situation I might choose for myself. For example, I own a bunch of camping equipment because I will conceivably camp at any moment (although I rarely do). Conversely, I don't own snow skis because I don't ski and don't imagine I would randomly decide to find snowy slopes tomorrow. I keep almost all of my boxes because I move a great deal. You get the idea.
Well, tonight I'm realizing some additional reality. It's about identity. To a certain extent, it's my challenge as an introvert--so much of my personality is internalized that I surround myself with expressions of myself for others to see. Perhaps more importantly, it comes down to my choices of when to move on with my vocational and life journey. You see, this is the second time I've ended a chapter of my journey without knowing what comes next. This creates an unusual paradox. On one hand, moving should be a time of rejuvenation and purging--getting rid of things that aren't worth moving. On the other hand, with this type of move into the unknown, my life is lacking in purpose which challenges my identity; as such, I cling to my possessions which help define me rather than purging them for some known future. There's the paradox: a time for renewal and a struggle to maintain identity.
This just occurred to me about five minutes ago, so I'm not sure what to do with it right now. I'm well into the moving process, and I have a job interview in the morning. For now, I think I just need to keep moving forward. Now that I realize the paradox, perhaps I can effectively deal with it at a later time. Right now, I need sleep.
Wednesday, July 14, 2010
Preparing for tour
This has been a slow period for blogging...my apologies.
However, things are getting revved up as I prepare to move out and move on. I will soon start my unemployment travels, and I've set up a special blog just for the occasion:
http://davestour2010.blogspot.com/
Cheers!
However, things are getting revved up as I prepare to move out and move on. I will soon start my unemployment travels, and I've set up a special blog just for the occasion:
http://davestour2010.blogspot.com/
Cheers!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
