I want out...

I'm really, really, really sick of being in school right now. My cohort and above are never around or have already graduated (mostly the latter). I need a job. Badly. I'm thinking about how much i hate research. Well, i don't mind reading stuff and analyzing data, but the actual writing and designing studies I hate.

I realize now that i could be a mediocre (at best) professor, but could be a great consultant. I really think I'm going to go applied. Yet, I feel guilty about this, like I'm wasting my opportunities. *sigh* I wish I was the type of person who doesn't care what other people think. Or more like care about what I think they think.

I just want to get done. Give me a dissertation topic and I'll start today. I'm involved in so many projects now I can't devote the time I need to on my dissertation. My goal was to propose this fall. That seems quite unlikely at this point - that I'll write a whole dissertation proposal in the next 2.5 months.

I'm burned out and lack motivation. Why did I decide to go to grad school in the first place? I forgot. Please remind me.

Blood donation

I just got a call from the American Red Cross about donating blood. I donate blood on a semi-regular basis (i.e. when I'm not sick, when my iron level is high enough). There is a serious blood shortage in NE Ohio, and probably most other places.

I'm asking you to at least consider donating blood. Imagine if you got into a car accident and needed blood transfusions and there was no blood available. I know I sound alarmist, but this could happen. It WILL happen if more people don't start giving blood. The bloodbanks are so low on blood right now (and actually are most of the time) someone could die if there is not enough blood available. For my blood type, there is currently only a half-days supply of it on hand. 12 hours. That's really scary.

They do have some promotions going on in the area. Daily $25 gas cards, one $3000 gas card at the end of the month as well as several $500 gas cards. Beyond this, however, is the chance to save a life, or at least help someone out. Just think of the mundane stuff we do everyday that doesn't seem to make a difference. Giving blood makes a difference.

I know a lot of people are don't like seeing blood or are scared of needles. Not to trivialize your fears, but it isn't that bad. And the people taking blood do it all day; they are good at it. Seriously if you want me to go with you to donate blood (given you live in NE ohio), I will do that. I'm donating next Monday; let me know if you want to tag along. And if you are not sure if you can donate blood due to taking medications or chronic illnesses, ask. A lot of times, you still can donate.

For those of you in Akron, the Summit County Donor Center is on West Market, about a mile west of U of A. You can walk in, but they appreciate it if you make an appointment. You can make an appointment by phone or online:

1-800-Give Life (1-800-448-3543) or http://www.redcross.org/donate/give/

Seriously, think about it.

PS - you still get cookies and juice :) One time, I even got a cupcake!

I'm back...and i want to leave again

Nothing like getting back from a weeklong trip to find all of the things that you should have done before you left/while you were gone waiting for you. Yikes. I'm hoping to go see my family this weekend too.

My trip back from 'bama was even more eventful than the way there: lightning, brief airport closures, long delays, plane pulling over and parking, not having a guaranteed seat on one of the flights, plane circling for a half hour over the airport due to storms, almost falling asleep standing up, staying in the hotel at the pittsburgh airport. Good times.

Also, I got selected for a "random" security screening...again. Wtf? I guess the law of averages was catching up with me; I'd never been selected before. Just so you know, if you get a boarding pass with SSSS on it, you are the lucky recipient of a thorough security screening. At least I didn't get patted down this time. And I feel bad for the TSA people that had to rifle through my suitcase of dirty laundry - with my sweaty running clothes on top. No wonder they wear gloves.

I did end up getting on the flight I wanted, I eventually got back home, albeit 12 hours after I planned to. And I had a great time and met a lot of awesome people. We even found the liquor store; something not quite accomplished last time I was there. All in all, it was a good trip.

Burning questions...

Am i really the only one ever at the b'ham sheraton that has sat out in the hallway to catch the free wireless. Seriously? Stop looking at me like that.

Likewise, I must also have been the first person to ever order a sandwich from the subway that did not have any dressing/mayo/mustard on it. She was like "Seriously? No mayo or anything?". Yes, folks i eat my sandwiches dry.

Also, why does the statement "Make sure to meet with me/request stuff from me this week" mean to other people to wait until this week to do so? Um, yeah i had enough trouble getting MYSELF to B'ham. Somehow I failed to pack my 6 foot tall cabinet full of journal articles. Silly me.

6:08

Although I'm not actually in Birmingham yet, I've already had an eventful trip. Left for Pittsburgh Airport a little late. Got to the airport, finally found a parking spot and then waited for the shuttle. After 10 minutes, shuttle was not even in sight. I was parked in the far reaches of the economy lot – basically as far away from the terminal as you can get. Decided to walk. I see shuttle, yay! I wave the driver down…and he blows right past me. Are you kidding? The shuttle didn't look very full either. Ended up walking to the terminal, which took like 20 minutes. Got my boarding pass, security line is a little long, but not bad.

I go through the typical hassle of removing shoes/liquids/laptop. Walk through, give my boarding pass to the security agent…and was promptly told to go wait in a little glass room – I had been the lucky recipient a thorough search (pat-down included). It seems to take forever, and of course I look nervous; I was afraid I'm miss my flight! Finally, after about 20 minutes, I'm cleared to go. I had exactly enough time to go to the bathroom and buy a bottle of water before boarding.

So, I'm on the plane, I didn't drop my carry-on on anyone's head, and my ridiculously overstuffed backpack actually fits underneath the seat. All seems well until I hear the horrible hacking cough of…the guy in the seat next to me. The cough, along with nose-blowing and sniffling continued through the flight. In addition, there was a really, really cranky baby that was crying at the top of his/her lungs for 75% of the flight. Can't help that though, try to relax and keep my face turned away from Mr. Cough. I began to relax and nod off. Ok, this isn't so *THUMP*. Must have been putting down tray table. It continues. The kid behind me is kicking my seat. I say nothing, as her parents will surely tell her to stop and perhaps apologize. They do not.

Seated behind and across the aisle is a very well-groomed, well-mannered woman; kind of the stereotypical southern belle (all she needed was the hat). She must have been very inexperienced with gum-chewing – I thought it was the kid that was making the smacking noises. It was her!!!

I land in Charlotte and immediately get a text message that my flight to b'ham is delayed until 5:04. Ok, that's not too bad. It was an hour delay, but I initially had a tight connection (45ish minutes). I check the departure monitor. In a nice, cheery pink color is written "now 6:08". It is mocking me. Like leaving at 6:08 is an exciting new feature for the flight. "Flight 2619 is new and improved! You get 129 more minutes to stare off into space and try to avoid the gaze of that creepy old guy sitting across from you! Have fun!

Actually, the Charlotte airport is pretty cool, and I'm going to get a chance to eat some real food (I'm noshing on dried cranberries as I blog). And sit in a rocking chair – the airport is full of them. It is seriously a sweet airport. I was looking forward to getting to B'ham at 4:15 so I'll have time to exercise and shower before I chill for the night. Oh well.

I'm escaping Ohio for a bit...

I'm leaving tomorrow for Birmingham, AL to work on an assessment center. Fun stuff, right? Well, actually it was a lot of fun the last time I went. The work was tolerable: interesting at times, totally monotonous & tedious at others. What made it so much fun were the people I met. Sadly, none of them are going back this time :(

If I have half of the fun I did last time, it will be worth it. I'll (hopefully) meet some interesting people and we'll have fun. Still, I'm really going to miss my former fellow assessors...love you guys!

Missing winter

I don't like hot weather. I really don't even like warm weather. I'd really prefer it to be between 35-65. Yes, I know I'm a freak and should move to Alaska.

When it's cold out I can wear sweats and sweaters and my fuzzy robe; snuggle up with blankets on the couch. Drink hot chocolate and eat chicken soup. I can run outside, barely sweat at all, and won't see anyone on my evening runs.

I think I seriously have SAD - only in reverse. When it's warm and sunny, I hibernate (can't afford to slather myself in sunscreen everyday). I'm lethargic. I have to wait until 9:30pm to go running, and it's still too freakin' hot. I have no motivation. Everyone is outside, thus i avoid it (I'm strangely anti-social when i go running; I want the sidewalks to myself). I shower 3x a day and change my clothes almost as often (once i sweat, even a little, i feel icky and must shower/change). Yes, I'm a bit obsessive, but sue me, I like to be clean! Summer does not seem compatible with cleanliness, unless you never sweat. I'm not one of those people. I hate wearing shorts - I only have a few pair to run in and I'll only wear them as a last resort. I'm so pale, I blind people when I'm in direct sunlight. Forget about a tan, I burn in 10 minutes outside if not slathered with a SPF 55+ sunblock.

Granted, not having to wear a winter coat/scarf/gloves/hat is nice, as well as not having salt stains on all of my shoes. I like putting the ice scraper in my car to rest (I never take it out though, it's bad luck). I don't particularly like the snow, especially driving in it. Parking at school in the summer is much easier and the department is quieter.

I'm sleepy...need a nap. Never seem to need a nap in the winter though...summer is killing my ambition and productivity...