Responsibilities suck...

We do not watch a lot of television. Some sports, educational shows, and a few sitcoms from time to time, but usually it stays turned off. Oh and cartoons :-)

Earlier this summer there was a show we ran across called The Alaksa Experiment, where four groups of people were dropped off in remote areas in Alaska for three months to fend for themselves. The show tracked their progress (good and bad) and showed how hard surviving in the Alaskan wilderness could be.

That was something I have always wanted to do. Just be dropped off and left alone in the Alaskan wilderness in the fall/winter and made to survive on the land. I think it would be a life altering experience. So, after finding out about the show I went to the Discovery Channel website to get more information on the series (next showing, times, etc.) and they had a link for expressing interest in being on the show next year. So I filled out the sheet and sent it in.

Well guess what. We were selected to audition for the show! Yeah! I can't wait! What? I have work and school and a family and...resposibilities. DAMN! Damn, damn, damn.

So, of course, I'll not respond. I'll stay home and be responsible, again.

The first college graduate in the family...

My wife is in the process of taking her last course needed for graduation from college. By the end of August she will be the first college grad in her entire family. It has taken a few years, but she's worked full time and raised a family at the same time. We couldn't be more proud of her!
I'm planning to try to do something a little special for her but since she tends to check this blog from time to time I can't really say what that might be. :-) If anyone has any ideas, feel free to share them.

Huston, we have a problem...

Last Thursday, at about 5:45 pm EST, my youngest daughter Jessica got into a small single engine plain with a friend and classmate of mine named Josh. As my wife and I watched them taxi to the runway, we could see Jessica sitting in the front passenger seat, her face filled with excitement and anticipation. Roughly an hour later they landed and we waited patiently for them to return to the parking lot. She had an experience she will never forget and her cheeks must have hurt from the smile she wore well into the evening.
What is the problem you ask? Ah, yes... the problem. Well the problem is that now she wants more. She's extremely bright (all our kids are) and interested in becoming an astronaut (or at the very least working for NASA as a researcher/astronomer), so this simply fueled that dream. That was the point of course, but she wants to try to get her pilot's license and that takes money. Lots of money.

To the moon, Alice, to the moon...

A few weekends back, we took our youngest daughter on a tour of Washington DC. She's 14 and starts college in the fall (yes, you read that right :-)), and even though she is not certain what her future holds she is very interested in space and astronomy. While we were there she had the chance to meet two astronauts at the Air and Space Museum. We were at the doors when they opened so there was no line and she was able to spend a few minutes talking to the astronauts.
One of them asked her if she had ever flown in an airplane before. He told her she needed to find a local pilot and have him take her up for a short trip. Well, as fate would have it, the young guy that sits next to me in class this semester is a pilot. After getting to know him a little I finally asked about taking her up. So, this Thursday she gets to take a one hour flight around Winston and Pilot Mountain. This digs deeper into our dwindling savings, but it is an experience she will never forget.

Can I call you a cab, sir...

Last fall, when I decided to change careers and become a teacher, we knew we would have to make a few sacrifices. We moved to a smaller, cheaper home, and we sold my Jeep to remove that payment from the monthly bills. For almost 10 months living with just one vehicle was worked out well, but yesterday I ended up stuck at home with no way to get to my 8am class.
I've been doing very good in school and missing one day would normally not be a big deal, but at about 8:30am yesterday morning I suddenly remembered I have a major paper due that I should have taken to class. I actually considered calling a cab but decided to take the 5 point grade cut and turn it in late. I emailed the instructor to let him know and all should be well now.
The ability to take college course online is a big plus for people returning to school years after joining the workforce. While the class I mentioned above is on campus (I have 2 on campus and 4 online this semester), most of my classes are online. This fall will be the same way with a few classes in person and a few more online.
The money from my 401K and our savings is drying up faster than I expected so I'll have to find a job or two in the fall to help pay the bills. Hopefully new year I can qualify for financial aid.

I know, I know...

I know I said I would try to post more often. Every time I say that I dissapear for a few weeks. But I have an excuse this time. :-)
Classes during the summer are divided into 'mini-mesters' of 5 weeks each. This means that a 16 week course is taught in 5 weeks. Some instructors cut the class a little slack and cut out a little of the work. Some don't. My Humanities class that just started falls into the latter group. The instructor is cramming all 16 weeks worth of work into the 5 weeks we have in class.
I agree with this completely. There is a lot of work but it is a very interesting class. I will try to keep it from taking up all my free time. :-)