I guess somebody heard my whining about not getting my comps graded, because I got an email yesterday saying that all of us who took them passed. So that's good news. Now I just have to write a dissertation and I'll be done.
No big deal, right?
Wednesday, August 24, 2005
Sunday, August 21, 2005
Comps
Apparently one of the guys grading the comps is on vacation and will be back this week. So I have no idea when I'll find out if I passed. I asked for partial feedback - my grade on the part not being graded by that guy. But nothing yet. The funny thing is, I don't know if that guy even realizes he's supposed to grade it. He didn't know on the day of the comps.
Not that I'm all that worried. But I took it almost 3 weeks ago. It's getting stale by now. Oh well, whaddaya gonna do?
Not that I'm all that worried. But I took it almost 3 weeks ago. It's getting stale by now. Oh well, whaddaya gonna do?
Digital pics
FYI, that digital pic of Tina was taken with our new Sony DVD handycam. The still picture quality isn't up to that of our Olympus D-520 Zoom, but it's passable. The video quality is really good, as is sound quality. It records in 5.1-channel surround sound. There's nothing I own that plays back in surround sound, so it's a bit of overkill...but it works. And it's very easy to use.
The Olympus takes good enough pictures for me. It's a bit finicky about when it takes them, and it seems to leave the shutter open for a while, so I take some blurry photos. But otherwise it's pretty good. It's a few years old, though, so there's probably something better on the market by now.
If you want digital photo software, I like Picasa. It's free from Google and has all the cool features you like on a digital photo program. (I get nothing for saying this, just trying to be helpful.) It tries to link to another program called, stupidly enough, "Hello," for putting pics up on blogs. But Blogger now has an easy "upload photos" feature, so just use Picasa for what it is.
The Olympus takes good enough pictures for me. It's a bit finicky about when it takes them, and it seems to leave the shutter open for a while, so I take some blurry photos. But otherwise it's pretty good. It's a few years old, though, so there's probably something better on the market by now.
If you want digital photo software, I like Picasa. It's free from Google and has all the cool features you like on a digital photo program. (I get nothing for saying this, just trying to be helpful.) It tries to link to another program called, stupidly enough, "Hello," for putting pics up on blogs. But Blogger now has an easy "upload photos" feature, so just use Picasa for what it is.
Car seat
We had to buy a new car seat. We'd gotten an infant seat/carrier from Kathy, but the seat was pretty old (like 8 years) and was past the mfr's warranty. And we were going to have to buy a convertible seat soon anyway, so we went ahead and just bought the convertible seat. We got an Evenflo Triumph DLX, which has a cool leathery-suedey finish and pretty yellow knobs. That's how you can tell the quality - from the color of the knobs.
Actually, it gets pretty high marks from users on Amazon. Some people found it hard to use, because they're not very bright. (Just kidding.) Actually, the harness-adjusting knobs are a bit unique and were a little hard to figure out in the store - but once we figured it out I think it was fine. Plus, we'll have plenty of room in the momi-van to fight with the thing. At $130, it was a pretty reasonable deal - at least, compared to the rest of the market. I still want to know how much of the price of kiddie accessories is liability insurance. It has to be at least half. Seriously. It's some padded plastic with a seat belt, and it's over a hundred bucks? C'mon.
The downside of buying the convertible seat for the car now is that we'll have to unstrap the kid when we get him somewhere and dump him into the carrier or stroller, rather than using the infant seat as both a car seat and carrier. We coulda dropped another $100 for an infant seat that attaches right to the stroller. Maybe for the next kid, when convenience will be at more of a premium and the budget won't be so tight, we can do those things. For now, we'll just rough it like people have done for thousands of years.
Actually, it gets pretty high marks from users on Amazon. Some people found it hard to use, because they're not very bright. (Just kidding.) Actually, the harness-adjusting knobs are a bit unique and were a little hard to figure out in the store - but once we figured it out I think it was fine. Plus, we'll have plenty of room in the momi-van to fight with the thing. At $130, it was a pretty reasonable deal - at least, compared to the rest of the market. I still want to know how much of the price of kiddie accessories is liability insurance. It has to be at least half. Seriously. It's some padded plastic with a seat belt, and it's over a hundred bucks? C'mon.
The downside of buying the convertible seat for the car now is that we'll have to unstrap the kid when we get him somewhere and dump him into the carrier or stroller, rather than using the infant seat as both a car seat and carrier. We coulda dropped another $100 for an infant seat that attaches right to the stroller. Maybe for the next kid, when convenience will be at more of a premium and the budget won't be so tight, we can do those things. For now, we'll just rough it like people have done for thousands of years.
Mommie update
Well, even if the doggie isn't sick (see post below), the Mommie is. We didn't make it to church this morning because somebody's tummy wudn't feewing vewy good.
Mostly we're OK...the 157-pound baby (see earlier post) is putting lotsa pressure on Tina's already-fragile digestion. So we've compensated by putting her on a strict diet of cheeseburgers. (I ain't kidding. Well, I'm exagerating a bit, but I think she's had a cheeseburger almost every day since like 1986 or something.)
I'm mostly waiting to give a presentation (on Sept. 2) and just kinda biding time.
We have the baby's room mostly done. Here's a pic of Tina and the crib with the really cool quilt her ma made, hanging up on the wall. Those are barnyard-themed quilt hanging clips, from the Toy House, which claims to be the largest independent toy store in the country. Right here in Jackson. Pretty cool place.
Mostly we're OK...the 157-pound baby (see earlier post) is putting lotsa pressure on Tina's already-fragile digestion. So we've compensated by putting her on a strict diet of cheeseburgers. (I ain't kidding. Well, I'm exagerating a bit, but I think she's had a cheeseburger almost every day since like 1986 or something.)
I'm mostly waiting to give a presentation (on Sept. 2) and just kinda biding time.
We have the baby's room mostly done. Here's a pic of Tina and the crib with the really cool quilt her ma made, hanging up on the wall. Those are barnyard-themed quilt hanging clips, from the Toy House, which claims to be the largest independent toy store in the country. Right here in Jackson. Pretty cool place.
Doggie update
The dog's been fine. No pukie in the mornings, which makes my mornings brighter. And less pukier.
I'm wondering if the source of the problem was something we hadn't considered. I had to slay a mightly little beastie in the kitchen the other day...who may have been bringing some disease to the dog. I have to ask the vet about that. (By the way, I found that pic on the web...I didn't take it.) If anyone wants a good mouse trap, try the Rat Zapper. It works. Thanks to Alex for letting me borrow his.
Snickers' new veggie diet seems to be working, and when I reach in the bag to feed her, I get a whiff of what's actually a pretty pleasant smell - sort of like toasted cucumber, if you can imagine that.
I'm wondering if the source of the problem was something we hadn't considered. I had to slay a mightly little beastie in the kitchen the other day...who may have been bringing some disease to the dog. I have to ask the vet about that. (By the way, I found that pic on the web...I didn't take it.) If anyone wants a good mouse trap, try the Rat Zapper. It works. Thanks to Alex for letting me borrow his.
Snickers' new veggie diet seems to be working, and when I reach in the bag to feed her, I get a whiff of what's actually a pretty pleasant smell - sort of like toasted cucumber, if you can imagine that.
Wednesday, August 17, 2005
Whee-doggies! Tha's a big 'un!
Tina went to Dr. P's office today for a routine checkup. Two items of note (well, one item of note that shows up in two ways):
First, she's measuring about a week early.
Second, the good doc estimates that the baby weighs 7 pounds. There are still over three weeks until the due date. And two weeks ago the baby was 4 pounds. So either the kid will stop growing or we'll have a 15-pound, three-foot tall baby. (Cue the World Weekly News here.)
First, she's measuring about a week early.
Second, the good doc estimates that the baby weighs 7 pounds. There are still over three weeks until the due date. And two weeks ago the baby was 4 pounds. So either the kid will stop growing or we'll have a 15-pound, three-foot tall baby. (Cue the World Weekly News here.)
Wednesday, August 10, 2005
Animal names
I'm not sure I can in good conscience name anything, even something imaginary, Michael-ange-doodle-doo.
Leonardo Da Piggi might work. It's too bad Ottorino Respighi isn't better known, because naming the swine after him is a bit smoother. I guess I'll go with Ottorino Respiggi. Leonardo's already represented by the Moo-na Lisa, and this way we get a 20th century composer in the mix, too.
The rooster, I think, will be Papa Haydn and the chicks can be Wolfgang, Ludwig and Ignatz, for Mozart, Beethoven and Ignatz Pleyel, all students of Haydn's. (I never heard of Pleyel, but I like "Ignatz.") Since we have a ready-made Papa from the world of classical music, might as well use him, eh?
So that's it: Moo-na Lisa, Ottorino Respiggi, Johann Sebastian Baa-ch, and Papa, Wolfie, Ludwig and Ignatz.
Prizes for the winners to be determined later. Thanks for playing! (or Pleyel-ing, if you're Ignatz.)
Leonardo Da Piggi might work. It's too bad Ottorino Respighi isn't better known, because naming the swine after him is a bit smoother. I guess I'll go with Ottorino Respiggi. Leonardo's already represented by the Moo-na Lisa, and this way we get a 20th century composer in the mix, too.
The rooster, I think, will be Papa Haydn and the chicks can be Wolfgang, Ludwig and Ignatz, for Mozart, Beethoven and Ignatz Pleyel, all students of Haydn's. (I never heard of Pleyel, but I like "Ignatz.") Since we have a ready-made Papa from the world of classical music, might as well use him, eh?
So that's it: Moo-na Lisa, Ottorino Respiggi, Johann Sebastian Baa-ch, and Papa, Wolfie, Ludwig and Ignatz.
Prizes for the winners to be determined later. Thanks for playing! (or Pleyel-ing, if you're Ignatz.)
Doggie update
The dog started her vomiting again, so she's back on antibiotics (for a month, not just 2 weeks this time) and is on a "novel protein" diet. The vet at Michigan State recommended Eukanuba Response KO, the K and O standing in for "Kangaroo" and "Oat." Indeedy.
Apparently, the idea is that poor Snicks may have developed an allergy to something in the Iams she's been eating for, oh, about 8 years, two meals a day...lotsa Iams. I guess (this is news to me) it's not uncommon for dogs who eat the same thing for all that long to get allergies somehow. So, if she has indeed developed an allergy, we need to get her eating something that's not in the food she's allergic to. And, to be sure, there's no kangaroo in Iams Weight Control Large Breed.
I didn't really need to pay over $2 a pound for dog food (Meijer usually has steak on sale for less than that!) just to get her on something "novel." So I'm trying Nature's Recipe Vegetarian food, for under a buck a lb. I got a free sample from Pet Supplies Plus of a different veggie blend, and the dog just loved it. So I went with the Nature's Recipe. I gave her her meds in a bit of the canned variety and she went nutso, even moreso than she did for the canned Iams she got her pills in last time. So I'm guessing she likes the veggie diet. Unfortunately, now she'll probably start voting Democrat and wearing hemp or something. I never trust vegetarians. It's just not natural not to eat meat.
Apparently, the idea is that poor Snicks may have developed an allergy to something in the Iams she's been eating for, oh, about 8 years, two meals a day...lotsa Iams. I guess (this is news to me) it's not uncommon for dogs who eat the same thing for all that long to get allergies somehow. So, if she has indeed developed an allergy, we need to get her eating something that's not in the food she's allergic to. And, to be sure, there's no kangaroo in Iams Weight Control Large Breed.
I didn't really need to pay over $2 a pound for dog food (Meijer usually has steak on sale for less than that!) just to get her on something "novel." So I'm trying Nature's Recipe Vegetarian food, for under a buck a lb. I got a free sample from Pet Supplies Plus of a different veggie blend, and the dog just loved it. So I went with the Nature's Recipe. I gave her her meds in a bit of the canned variety and she went nutso, even moreso than she did for the canned Iams she got her pills in last time. So I'm guessing she likes the veggie diet. Unfortunately, now she'll probably start voting Democrat and wearing hemp or something. I never trust vegetarians. It's just not natural not to eat meat.
OK, sorry again
I know I haven't posted much. I haven't had much to say. Tina's still getting by, still not sleeping well, still drinking lots of water and (lately) lots of chocolate milk.
We have our new video camera (thanks Dad!) and we'll have movies available somehow. Plus photos too. That is, when there's something to make movies and photos of.
We have our new video camera (thanks Dad!) and we'll have movies available somehow. Plus photos too. That is, when there's something to make movies and photos of.
Wednesday, August 03, 2005
Comps are done!
Well, my comprehensive exams are done (for now, that is...I won't know if I actually passed for a week or so, when the faculty gets back from a conference.). That means I can now devote almost all my time to making ready for the baby.
Wait...we're ready. Well, almost. I should probably start getting some stuff together for our trip to the hospital, and I need to hang the quilt on the wall still. And sleep. More posts as things happen, and after I sleep.
For now, all's well. Tina hasn't gained any weight in a month or so, but the baby is growing, so Doc isn't worried.
Gatorade is out. Chocolate milk still in.
Garlic is out. Sour candy is in.
Steak and pot roast are still in. Fish is out.
No-puke pills still de rigueur. (Why am I using French words? I guess today I'm a haughty Vietnam vet who also happens to be a junior Senator from Taxachusetts.)
Wait...we're ready. Well, almost. I should probably start getting some stuff together for our trip to the hospital, and I need to hang the quilt on the wall still. And sleep. More posts as things happen, and after I sleep.
For now, all's well. Tina hasn't gained any weight in a month or so, but the baby is growing, so Doc isn't worried.
Gatorade is out. Chocolate milk still in.
Garlic is out. Sour candy is in.
Steak and pot roast are still in. Fish is out.
No-puke pills still de rigueur. (Why am I using French words? I guess today I'm a haughty Vietnam vet who also happens to be a junior Senator from Taxachusetts.)
Sunday, July 31, 2005
Sorry no posts
Got comps this week...will post more (including a response to the animal-name suggestions) sometime.
Suffice it to say, we're bloody well ready for the baby.
Suffice it to say, we're bloody well ready for the baby.
Monday, July 25, 2005
Animal names
Response to the name-that-animal contest has been underwhelming. Our one suggestion has created a theme.
Running with Renaissance name for the cow, one loyal reader suggested a Baroque name for the sheep: Johann Sebastian Baaa-ch.
The collective readership (both of you!) is encouraged to send in names for the Classical Chicks, the Romantic Rooster, and the Pig, whom I'll call a Revolutionary and temporarily brand Robespierre - because the whole French Revolution was a rather piggish affair.
Running with Renaissance name for the cow, one loyal reader suggested a Baroque name for the sheep: Johann Sebastian Baaa-ch.
The collective readership (both of you!) is encouraged to send in names for the Classical Chicks, the Romantic Rooster, and the Pig, whom I'll call a Revolutionary and temporarily brand Robespierre - because the whole French Revolution was a rather piggish affair.
Quite a mommy already
This is not a complaint, just funny...Tina's been really mom-like lately. She's been all over little details of my life, making sure everything's...just...right.
Like the other day, as we were getting out of the car:
"WHY DIDN'T THE LIGHT COME ON WHEN YOU OPENED THE DOOR?!?!?"
Me: *whimper* "Um, I guess I bumped the switch here?"
Oh. ... OK.
This is gonna be fun.
Like the other day, as we were getting out of the car:
"WHY DIDN'T THE LIGHT COME ON WHEN YOU OPENED THE DOOR?!?!?"
Me: *whimper* "Um, I guess I bumped the switch here?"
Oh. ... OK.
This is gonna be fun.
Monday, July 18, 2005
What do we know and when did we know it?
So I ask Tina if she thinks we're ready for a baby. She says, "why, what would we need to do?"
Ay, there's the rub: I don't know. That's why I'm asking! If I knew what needed done, I'd do it. It's what I don't know needs done I'm worried about. As a great man once said, "There are known knowns. These are things we know that we know. There are known unknowns. That is to say, there are things that we know we don't know. But there are also unknown unknowns. There are things we don't know we don't know."
I'm sure in some ways we're as prepared as we can be, and in other ways we're as unprepared as everyone is. I'm probably just a little neurotic, that's all. A few billion people, none of whom is as smart as Tina or as loving as...well, as Tina...have given birth before without totally botching everything. So I'm sure we'll figure it out.
Ay, there's the rub: I don't know. That's why I'm asking! If I knew what needed done, I'd do it. It's what I don't know needs done I'm worried about. As a great man once said, "There are known knowns. These are things we know that we know. There are known unknowns. That is to say, there are things that we know we don't know. But there are also unknown unknowns. There are things we don't know we don't know."
I'm sure in some ways we're as prepared as we can be, and in other ways we're as unprepared as everyone is. I'm probably just a little neurotic, that's all. A few billion people, none of whom is as smart as Tina or as loving as...well, as Tina...have given birth before without totally botching everything. So I'm sure we'll figure it out.
FYI
This thing is finally long enough that it's not all on the first page...so click on "Archives" over there
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to be sure you're seeing it all, if you're new here.
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to be sure you're seeing it all, if you're new here.
Friday, July 15, 2005
Good doggie news
The dog should be fine...she seems to have some sort of a bacterial infection that we can treat with antibiotics and Pepcid AC (really!). Now all we need to do is get the pills into her. Easier said than done. I can bury some of them in the canned food, but she's too pill-wary at this point to just gobble everything up.
Tuesday, July 12, 2005
Actual baby update
Anyway, the baby's been kicking a lot, Tina's been having heartburn and some assorted discomforts, and we've been generally OK. We're kind of waiting for stuff to happen and enjoying the last bits of sanity we have left before we have to take care of a baby 24 hours a day for the next 18 years plus. Not that that's a lot or anything.
Thanks to Tina's mom & stepdad for letting us bum around in their house & pool for the weekend, and bring our sick doggie for a vacation too. She does love to swim. Looks like a big ol' fat otter in the pool.
Thanks to Tina's mom & stepdad for letting us bum around in their house & pool for the weekend, and bring our sick doggie for a vacation too. She does love to swim. Looks like a big ol' fat otter in the pool.
Sorry no updates in a while
We've been tending to the dog...she's been sick with some sort of mystery stomach problem. Lots of upchucking. Lots of time and not a few dollars spent on tests and we still don't know anything yet. MSU's vet clinic should have biopsy results this week to see if it's cancer or just some sort of inflammation or something.
In the meantime, she's been on very small portions of canned food, which is guaranteed to be no more than 78% chicken broth. For an 80-lb dog, a can or two of food is, like, to-tally not enough. She's lost about 4-5 pounds over the last week and a half.
I think the problem started when she went on the special diet food. I think it screwed up her digestion bigtime. I want to get her back on Iams, which was great for us for the whole time we've had her.
In the meantime, she's been on very small portions of canned food, which is guaranteed to be no more than 78% chicken broth. For an 80-lb dog, a can or two of food is, like, to-tally not enough. She's lost about 4-5 pounds over the last week and a half.
I think the problem started when she went on the special diet food. I think it screwed up her digestion bigtime. I want to get her back on Iams, which was great for us for the whole time we've had her.
Saturday, July 02, 2005
Nursery photos
Hey y'all,
I'm putting up some nursery photos with a name that animal contest. We've already named the cow Moo-na Lisa, for that wan smile she has. The rest of the animals are as-yet-unnamed. We'll pick winners from the comments posted on the page.
Have fun with it...
I'm putting up some nursery photos with a name that animal contest. We've already named the cow Moo-na Lisa, for that wan smile she has. The rest of the animals are as-yet-unnamed. We'll pick winners from the comments posted on the page.
Have fun with it...
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