Bad Munchinstein

Munch, my first computer, sadly got taken apart for parts, and rebuilt. Munch 2, or Munchinstein, as I like to call him, has been doing his thing for a term or so now. Now, the Munch Monitor, which hadn't changed, is doing jigs while I type. The edges sway, the picture jiggles....it's like I'm in a constant state of "degauss". Not very comfy on the eyes, let me tell you! I think I'll need to find a monitor for "very cheap" that has good video capabilities. I have a good video card afterall, and I'd not like to waste it. I am wondering if a virus of some kind could make my comptuer do this. I may have to install the virus software again. (I can't keep it installed cause it has issues with my A drive. they don't play nicely together at all). Probably though, it's cause my monitor is (eek) 5 years old, and in computer years, that's like being Eleventy One (111) years old.

Oh well. Not something I'll worry about til I have a paper due the next day and suddenly the Munchinstein blows up. At least it's not a constant state of the jigglies yet. It's just getting worse.

Update on IT CAME!!!
I have the second letter. See the first one told me that a second letter would follow containing "information about matriculation from your major program". I now know who my advisor is. I think that's what they meant, cause not much else was in the letter.

IT CAME!!!!!!!

IT being the letter from the grad school I applied to. It's here, I was ACCEPTED! YIPPEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!

A weekend of Rock!

Yes, a good weekend was had by me. Friday night I went to the Down and Above/Skywynd show at UW Stout. It was fun, but really lacked energy for dna. People didn't know them, or something, and so stood around like so many bumps on a log. Chris and I got our rock on, trying to provide an example...but it was all for naught. Then Skywynd came on, and there were these four, shirtless, incredibly funny headbanging fans right next to me. I guess they are regulars, but I've never seen them with their shirts off before. (eek!) They had markered S-K-Y-W-Y-N-D-! on themselves two letters each, and were having great fun. It's great to see people having that much fun at a show. The whole crowd got into it music, and the 4 compadres got to go up on stage and be recognized. There were sound issues, but they were more amusing that annoying (to me, I'm sure the band was pissed). I just wish that that much energy could have been given over to dna as well.

Yesterday I went rollerblading, and realized my blades are a bit small. I have really nice blades too (anyone want a pair or size seven Rollerblade Aero 9's for half price?!?) I have to get new ones before the marathon, and before I kill my feet training for said marathon. I only went nine miles, and my feet were killing me. Then I went to Ciatti's w/ Rachel for dinner, and showed her what her present of Birthing Day would be. we have to go do the shoping for it today.

Then last night was the Somerset/Quietdrive/Down and Above show at the Rock in Maplewood. Much better sound, much better energy! Since we stood over by Ian on Friday, we had to stand by Dave last night--gotta share the love, and all that. I got my rock on and definately enjoyed hearing all the old favs plus my new fav's from the as-yet-unrealeased new albumn, Anodyne. After chattin with peeps for a bit we left the Rock and hung out w/ some more peeps and I got some really nice scotch. This makes me happy! *sigh* now it's Sunday, and I have to do homework and get back to my boring life.

So Hard to Find

So many things...So hard to find. Today for instance. I was trying to find the place that the show I'm going to tomorrow night is located. U of WI, stout. Not hard to find. Then the building on campus, not hard, then the showtimes and cost, again...not hard. It was kinda like playing detective. But then, I finally had an idea where to start.

I also had to find a picture to put into my frame today. I wanted it to be a picture from the trip to Europe that Rachel and I took last may. (Oh, do I want to go back...more on that later...) Finding the right picture was so hard to find. I had about 8 choices, till I realized the frame looked silly vertical. It was fine horizontal. so my choices were down to about 4 or 5
Two just didn't fit, so I had three. Then there three that each had their benefits. The forest picture was vibrant green, but not much else. The castle across the lake was pretty, and brought out the silver in the frame, but it was kinda dark. The picture from Edinburgh of the hike we went on to Aurthur's Seat ? (Brain fart on names) was what I finally decided on. See it's a quote frame, with the quote saying, "Go confidently in the direction of your dreams. Live the life you have imagined." from Henry David Thoreau. So, the path up into the hills with the yellow flowers just fit. Specially cause, off to one side, so you almost don't notice it, is me walking on said path. Rachel helped with the decision.

I also finally got the picture of me and my family from my graduation into the frame I had for it. I did a sucky job of cutting the picture though. I was doing ok, and then I screwed up. Oh well, it's not terrible.

So now all I need is a picture book for the rest of my England trip pictures, and a plane ticket back there. Wow. I can't believe how much wanderlust I have right now. I'm not sure it's even wanderlust. I just have a profound NEED to be there right now. In Wales, hiking on Snowdon, or in Ireland in one of the many parks...or a trip to the Scottish Highlands. I need to be away from here. I don't even think that Colorado's mountains would do it for me right now. To bad it's spring over there too. *sigh* I shouldn't have looked at my pictures, and having that picture in that frame only drives home what I'm not doing right now. I'm not living the life I have imagined right now. I am living part of it...but. I don't know! I don't know how to describe what I'm feeling right now. A deep longing, and a wish I would have made more of the time I had there. I had a lot on my mind, and though I don't have any regrets, there was some time when I was there that I was wishing I was elsewhere--mostly when on the train, and mostly I was wishing I was doing something rather than sitting. GRRR! I'm having issues with describing what I want to right now. I spose I will just say I need another vacation, and I wouldn't mind going back to last year's choice of locations and seeing what I couldn't then.

Anyone up for coming with me? This summer? I can probably raise the money for a trip later in the summer. I think I just need spring to finally get here.

Oiled in Bed

Or rather Boiled in Lead. Their name seems to morph every time I see them. Once they were Boiled in Led Zepplin. Another time, the guy just couldn't get "Boiled in Lead" past his lips and through his tongue. Oh well. Whoever they think they are, I think their great. Too bad they only play twice a year (that I know of) in town...

Last night was the Annual St. Patties Day show at 1st Ave. The opening act was ok, but I wouldn't buy their cd any time soon. The Tim Malloys were as good as ever, and the Minnesota Pipes and Drums were at their peak...we just couldn't see the dancers because there were too many bodies and heads in the way. Someone still has to explain to me what kilts, bagpipes and St. Patty's Day have to do with each other. So, Boiled in Lead came out and played a very rockin set. I have never seen them 'electrical' rather than 'acoustic'. It was interesting, and different, and much higher energy and good. I had a good time jumping around and dancing. All in all it was a good show!

Still flying through the Mists of Insanity

The Mists of Insanity, sounds like something out of the Princess Bride, except those were Cliffs of insanity. The Mist of Insanity live just outside of REM sleep. The have taken my dreaming seige and refuse to release it. We're on to reality dreams. Unlike reality shows, they are not horridly over acted, or produced, over zealous ideas about idealistic romances and winning lots of money. Nope, my dreams live in that curious everywhere'sville of normality that make me wonder if what I dreampt actually happened or not. So far I've dreampt about finding a missing sock, about the end of a bus strike, and going shopping for groceries. Last night I actually lived today. I woke up, got dressed, came to work, saw myself doing various of my work tasks, and then leaving work. I woke up before anything else happened. Not everthing at work went the same as in the dream, but only because I didn't want them too. I didn't, for example, want to wear my nametag around my neck like I sometimes do, and did in my dream. Instead, I clipped it ot my pants, even though it was more uncomfy. Hey, you have to fight doing what you are supposed to, right? I don't like being told what to do, not even by my dreams :P

Ugh! Why me?

I think I'm psychic, I have the 'foresight' ability. It comes and goes, and it usually only tells me when I'm gonna do something stupid or painful. Sometimes it's specific enough to tell me what is going to happen. Like today. Today I spilled chili on my khaki skirt. Now, one would think, "you wore khaki and ate chili, Murphy's Law states that you must spill chili on yourself." I also know about Murphy's Law, so I took pains to not spill chili. But, I kept getting little flashes on insight that the chili would spill. I was being extra careful, and then it happened. My spoon jumped out of my bowl and onto my pants. You see, I was taking care of the chili and the chili bowl, but I forgot to also take care with my spoon. So the premonition comes true, and I had to spend 15 minutes in the bathroom washing chili off my skirt so I didn't look so obvious walking around. I'm sure I'll still get stared at though, along with the obligatory "that girl can't eat right" looks. *sigh*

I had two dreams this morning that were perhaps also premonitions. We'll have to see. One involved the current bus strike, and it's end date, and the other had to do with the location of my missing sock. Only time will tell...

A change...

For the better? I don't know. WD is still very blue...but at least it's a different style. I guess this will have to do until I have time to make a new and improved blog somewhere that can host pictures...

For Nae

See Renae, I can update, and it wasn't even JUST O-chem that was keeping me from it...It was a busy week and weekend. All last week I chilled with people, played games, climbed, and did as little homework as possible. You would like the book I have to read for rhet. Well, you would like making fun of it. It's called Cyborg Babies, and man, does it suck! It's all about how everyone is a cyborg and how in 10 years, or maybe even just 1, we'll all be in the market for technosemen and making technobabies, and the world will end. This gets me to wondering...just how important are the males in this race anyway? I mean, if this book were to be believed, we are to take the "prime" specimens of maleness, lock them in cages with porn, and have them produce semen to order for women. The semen is then given many tests, including how well it can swim, puncture a hamster egg, and its effectiveness while on caffeine, and then it's frozen for six months before getting to play with a real egg. Then the fetus is made cyborg by ultrasound, and amniosenticis (pardon my spelling, I don't want to look it up). The mother becomes a machine to be serviced with epidurals and procedues like IVF... You see why we think this book is rather...oh, just fill in the blank. I think it's insane. Am I a cyborg then, just because I go to the doctor, or use a computer, or have contacts, or have to use an inhaler once in a while? Or...because I had my tonsils out and was hooked up to a machine? Look out world, the 'new and improved' Tricia is coming to get you! I think the writers and editors of this book have a bit of a reality crisis on their hands. *sigh*

So, back to my week, and my not updating. I kept meaning to update, but then at work, when I have the most time to say, stop working for 5 minutes and post, I was busy. I was making a powerpoint...ALL WEEK LONG. If you have had the...pleasure of me talking to you about this in person or on IM, you know how frustrated with it. But, I'm making what I hope to be the final edits on that presentation today, so I'm in a considerably better mood. What's more...It's SUNNY outside!!!!!! I'm so excited, I love sun. I want to get a laptop from downstairs, check one out, so I can go work outside on the picnic table.

This weekend I went to see Hidalgo with Katie and Jenny and Karin and Chris. It was a good time. I liked the movie. We had Uno's Pizza after and then went to the bar to play darts. I really have to play more darts...I'm losing my edge! So, yeah, that's where things are. This week I have an O-chem test, and work to do at work...and next week is Spring Break. Don't know what I'm doing for that yet, probably working, but I'll figure it out.

Hack and Slash

A great concept. Mad at the world? BAM! kick its virtual butt in Baldur's Gate: Dark Alliance 2 for PS2 and XBOX. I started playing this game a few weeks/month ago with Jenni at her place. Played a human cleric, and had a great time! She was a necromancer, and together, we kicked the bottoms of the things.

Then this past weekend, whilst at home, Katie and I again kicked some butt. Again, I had my human cleric. There is just something about raining down fire from the sky at my enemies that is sooooo apealing. "and, your enemies, being naughty in my sight, shall snuff it". Helm is my cleric's chosen god. She goes around slaying things yelling "FOR HELM" it's really quite amusing.

So, I wonder when I'm going to actually bring together enough moneys to purchase a gaming system and the games...