Election Stuff

Sunday I was studying and heard the dogs go crazy. That normally means one of a few things -either there's someone at the door, there's someone breaking in, or nothing at all. In this case someone had rung our doorbell. Amy was downstairs so I let her get it. A little while later I went downstairs and she said that 2 ten-year-old girls had come to the door and asked if she was going to vote. She said yes, so they threw a piece of paper at her and said, "Good, here's a free flyer!" then ran away. Here's their flyer:

This morning on WYRK the stupid morning guys were talking about who they were voting for and why (McCain because they like guns and don't like abortion...they actually said this, and then said that taxes and national security have been issues since the Boston Tea Party and we should stop worrying about them and focus on the real issues...), and then said that according to their pole on their website, McCain was ahead 70-something percent to 20-something percent. Um, you think? Who the hell do they think listens to them, therefore votes on their website? It makes me happy that Obama has 20-something percent on their website! Of course, I, too, was listening to them...again...this morning.

Political Rant

Ok, so, I listen to the country station every morning while I get ready for school. And it's the only station that's programmed in my kitchen, so unless I have a movie on, I listen to it while I cook or do dishes or whatever. Normally it's not too bad, but, near election time it drives me INSANE. Seriously. The morning guys are SO...ignorant. And stupid. And pushing their points on the public.

Now, I know some democrats who are stupid and ignorant and don't know what they're talking about, and try to push their points on people even by lying about the "other side." And I know some republicans who are pretty smart and can argue their points pretty well (even if they're wrong.)

Here's my issue with the morning guys from WYRK. They complain, incessantly, that Obama is a socialist and wants to give money away to everyone by raising taxes (which, by the way, I don't think is true...I do believe that being a Christian means you should want to help people, even if it means giving them money you may have when they need it...and pro-life shouldn't end once the baby is born, but that's a whole 'nother post.) They talk about how everyone should have to work for their money, and that's the American Dream - hard work to get rich. Fine.

This morning, they announced that Exxon Mobil made something crazy like $14.3 billion in the last 3 months. Now, if you're going to follow their "work hard get rich" ranting, then you should be happy for them, right? Maybe jealous, but happy. NO! THEY WEREN'T! They complained about price gouging and how everyone should be profiting from the sale of any oil, be it oil from American soil or not. SERIOUSLY?!?!? So, they want Exxon to be...say...taxed, maybe? And that money could be...uh...spread around to those who didn't make as much, and need money to eat and live? Hm...what a great idea...too bad no one's ever thought of that before...

C is for...

So, I'm a "non-traditional student." That's what Canisius calls me. Because of this I get my grades sent to me occationally throughout the semester so everyone can be assured that I'm not failing. They do this for Freshman and athletes, too. Anyway, I got my progress report on Monday. I'M PASSING PHYSICS! Seriously. And not with a D. I have NEVER been so happy with a C in my whole life.

Happy Fall!

I was so looking forward to school 'cause I figured I'd have all this extra time while I was "studying" in the library when I could update my blog. It turns out that in order to pass physics, organic chemistry, and cell bio you need to use at least 30 hours a day studying. Now, I'm not good at physics, but, I'm pretty sure that there are only 24 hours in a day, therefore studying for 30 hours would be breaking some sort of law of physics.

Anyway, I did get to see Addie and Maeve last week for an hour or so. How cute are they?

Summer Time

I think in the week since I decided not to take classes this summer I've seen more of my family than I did the entire last semester. It's been great.

My plan for the rest of the summer? I'll be the pool with Miles and Julia.

And...done

So, summer classes? suck. And I've always thought it's better to quit while you can get a W than follow through and get an F, so, I'm done with physics. I have to go get all the paperwork done (have the prof sign the withdrawl forms and whatnot) tomorrow, but, since I'm not there right now, and don't plan on going back, I'm pretending it's all over.

I am so very happy with this decision to not go to physics anymore this summer. Addie supports my decision whole-heartedly, which is good. Family support is always important.

I'm already really enjoying my new summer freedom...I spent the weekend at Keuka Lake, which looked like this:

And now I plan on spending the rest of my summer with my family and catching up on blogs I haven't read since April.

Physics has started.

 

You know what's worse than taking physics?  Taking physics during the summer.  And you know what's worse than taking physics during the summer?  Taking physics during the summer at 8:30 am, four days a week. 

 

Dora has the right idea....

But, I got some great birthday presents to get me through the next 10 weeks. This is what Mike, Lisa, Maeve, and Addie got me:

That's enough sunflower seeds to get me through at least the first semester! 

And you know what goes great with sunflower seeds? Slushies.

Hours

LOOK! an update!

I have a week off coming up. In exactly 171 hours I'll start my last exam of the semester, and then I have 10 days off. That's 240 hours. Well, probably 9 days, (216 hours), because there's a final paper that I keep saying I'll start soon but haven't so I'll probably do it after my last exam, but, my last exam will be over in less that 174 hours. That doesn't sound like so long, does it? Well, it is, if you're talking about going without sleep.

I have stories to post...I'm sure I do. Addie was baptized, good TV is back on (and my DVR is loving it,) Amy's birthday is tomorrow and mine is in 12 days (288 hours!), but due to that lack of sleep thing that accompanies the end of the semester for anyone who hasn't yet been accepted to the grad school of their choice, I can't remember anything (which, really, is not a good way to take an exam...)

So, I'm off to study for my first final, which is in 4 hours. I finally figured out the first problem on the practice test I've been working on for the past 24 hours, so, there's some hope I'll do OK.

Niagara Falls

It was cold in Buffalo today. It was even colder in Niagara Falls.

I know, because I was there. Yes, really.

All that stuff that looks like rocks? It's ice and snow.

Not only was I there, I went through Cave of the Winds. Well, through the part that was open and not covered with tons of ice. Really, just the gorge. Still, freezing. But I was allowed, because my heart and lungs are healthy.

I was not, however, allowed to climb over the railings.

Good thing that sign is there.

Awooka

People who find The Middle Child through keyword search normally find it by searching some version of "golf leafs golf" and coming up with this.  Occationally I get homing hippogriffs or Free Rice (which was mentioned in quite a few posts...)  Today someone in Switzerland found my blog by searching "Awooka." 

Addie, you're famous!

Oh, Coldstone, How I Love Thee

When I was living in NYC I had friends all over the city.  Upper East Side, Upper West Side, Brooklyn, Astoria, Roosevelt Island, West Village...most of us went to school together between SoHo and Chinatown.  We'd leave school around 3 and scatter around the city to our various (unpaid) internships before we went back to our homes.  On weekends we'd try to find a central location to meet for drinks, food, a movie, or some other way to spend our money together, but the best place we found?  Was Coldstone in Time Square.  It was easy for all of us to get there, the ice cream was cheaper than drinks, there was no hangover the next morning (although the slushy brain freeze could be vicious), and most importantly the ice cream was amazing. 

When I left NYC, I was very sad to be leaving for many reasons (the roommate I was leaving, fresh direct, my friends, ect,) but I was REALLY sad to be leaving Coldstone.  I promised I'd be back soon.  When I got back to Buffalo I found out there was a Coldstone being built here!  It was a miracle! 

Tonight the Buffalo Coldstone sponsored the Boys and Girls club.  We went to support Mary.   And get ice cream.  It was wonderful.  And it made me happy to be alive.  Really.  What could be better than sharing Coldstone ice cream with Julia?

***

***Ok, yeah, the picture?  She's not eating ice cream.  But I didn't take pictures tonight...I was too...well, busy eating my ice cream.  But Julia did have chocolate ice cream, and her smile was at least this big.

Break

It's Spring Break!  Well, it's almost over.  Today's the last day.  Most of the week has been great, spent like this:

 

Today, hopefully, will be no different.

 

Nana is SO funny!

Summer of '84

In the summer of 1984 my Dad graduated from dental school and the family moved from Jackson, MS to Buffalo.


The Summer Olympics were held in Los Angeles


Svetlana Savitskaya became the first woman to walk in space.


Vanessa Williams became the first African American to be crowned Miss America, and was de-crowned when nude pictures of her showed up in "Penthouse."


The Space Shuttle Discover took off for its maiden voyage.

And my brothers only had one shirt between them:

In one year

On year ago I was in the middle of a posting craze...2 posts in one day!
One was ago Miles and Julia and the other was about ordering chinese food. In the past year Miles was born, Julia says a lot more now, and I still order chinese food from the same place. But I go get it now. They take too long to deliver.

In a year I'll have been accepted to UB (hopefully) and finishing my last undergrad class (again...) And, of course, I'll be finishing up my last post for BufBloPoFlo '09.

You Probably Won't Like These Shows

Aw, Mary prayed for me and now I'm far far away from my chem exam. Well, far enough away. The professors told us that this is exam was the hardest one I'll take in the 2 semesters of general chemistry, including the final exam in May that's some national thing and cumulative of both semesters. It really did suck. And now I am so tired, and I just want to take a nap, but whenever I close my eyes all I see is OH- and H+ and they're haunting me!

Anyway, TV I can't wait to see (in alphabetical order, according to what channel they're on because I'm just going down the list on each station website to try and remember what I was doing six months ago before the writer's strike forced me to start watching stuff like...well, like reruns of these:)

Chuck - Chuck (the character) reminds me of Mike. This seems like a show he would would write about how he would want his life, minus, of course, the chance of being forced to leave forever.

ER - It's nowhere near as good as when George Clooney was on it, but, it's a good show to watch while I'm falling to sleep on Thursday nights. It may, however, get bumped by Eli Stone.

Heroes - Last season kinda sucked, but I have faith, because the first season was so good.

Law and Order: SVU - Ok, I like all of them, but this is my favorite. And I've seen all of the reruns. It's time for new ones

Lipstick Jungle - I keep watching thinking it'll get really good...we'll see.

Eli Stone - I LOVE this show. I watched the first one because I like the George Michael song that was in it, and now I'm hooked.

Grey's Anatomy - no explanation needed.

Notes from the Underbelly - I don't think new ones are going to be mad. So sad.

Womens Murder Club - Based on the books by James Patterson. I've been reading the books as soon as they come out forever. The show, eh, not great, but I'm easily amused.

CSI - Miami and Vegas, not NY.

Without A Trace - I like to DVR this, and then watch it later while I'm napping. It's a good napping show, because you can normally figure it out right away, sleep for an hour, then wake up and see if you were right!

Talk to you later.

I don't think there's much people don't know about me, but this is a good topic. I'll have to update on it sometime. But not right now, because I'm in the library studing for chem. My exam is tomorrow. Pray for me.

Interview

1. What is your favorite word? What is your least favorite word?

Hm...this is tough.

My favorite word changes by the minute. Really, anything that's coming out of my mouth is my favorite word. I like to hear myself talk :) Currently I enjoy the words "class is canceled."

My least favorite words....well, there are a few, but I don't want to type them. They make me mad and feel sick.



2. What turns you on creatively, spiritually or emotionally? What turns you off?

A clean room turns me on creatively. A clean kitchen (with full cabinets, cupboards, and refridgerator) makes me want to bake. A clean office makes me want to study (or blog...)

Dirty rooms don't necessarily turn me off creatively. Broken crayons do.


3. What sound or noise do you love? What sound or noise do you hate?

I love the sound of my phone ringing (because someone I love is calling me, not the BAC or someone I don't want to talk to), my nieces and nephew excited to see me, crickets at night in the summer, and the HSBC arena if it's packed and the Sabres are winning.

For hate? I hate the sound that wet shoes make when they squeek. Especially in a quiet hallway when you're about to walk into a packed classroom, the sound of the hygenist scraping my teeth, and my alarm clock since I somehow changed the station and now it just blares static into my ear very early in the morning.



4. What profession other than your own would you like to attempt? What profession would you not like to do?

I am attempting to be a dentist, does that count? Another profession I think I would like someday is a restaurant reviewer. Wouldn't that be fun?

A profession I definitely do not want? I do not want to work at the DMV or as a professor. They seem miserable. Or Chuck E. Cheese. I wouldn't want that place to lose it's magic.



5. What is your favorite curse word?

Fuck fuckity fuck fuck.



6. If Heaven exists, what would you like to hear God say when you arrive at the Pearly Gates?
Wow, that was impressive.

My fish is dying. He's a chocolate albino sucker fish or something, and we've only had him for 2 weeks or so. He's never been very good at keeping the tank clean (or maybe the goldfish are just too much for him,) but it's still sad. He's flopping around the bottom of the tank and the goldfish are attacking him.

Well, Jon and Kate Plus 8 is on. I'm gonna go watch that instead of the dying fish. And then maybe study for my chem exam...

Why I live in Buffalo, and Love It*

*in no particular order

Music for Mike

Mike,

The music I like most are the cds you make for me. Remember when you made those? Yeah, they're awesome. I don't think you'd really like the rest of the music I listen to (although, at least it's not Spice Girls.) I would use my iPod to make a playlist for you, but it was stolen. So, instead, I'll tell you this: use Pandora and make yourself a nice station. And then tell me about the music, because I always like the music you listen to.

Oh, but I did hear this recently and it made me think of you. Amy thinks you'll like it too.

wallet

Hm...what's in my wallet that's not in yours? Well, my license, my credit card, my CPR card, my library card...Cecilina Garbey's wegmans card (I have no idea who she is, but they sent the card to mom and dad's house, and it was closest to my name.) Nothing exciting. In my old wallet I found pictures taken at Frizzys in their photo booth, a little Einstein sticker (no, not Little Einsteins, a sticker of Albert Einstein that is small...) that Esther gave me before I took my summer school math exam, my U of T ID, my FCI ID, and my UB ID.

What's been in there the longest never having been used? The sticker. I considered once putting it somewhere. I don't remember where - maybe somewhere in Ethyl? But I do remember that I decided I'd rather save it. It makes me smile when I see it.

Stat Counter

Just a quick update because I'm in the chemistry library at school and should be studying for my chemistry exam next week. Instead, I was playing with Stat counter. Mike helped me set up and account and now I can see where all of you come to The Middle Child from! Apparently, only 4 or so "random" people found my blog through google yesterday, but one of them kinda fit in with the day's post. The seach was "child's broken toe." And then they spent over and hour on my blog. Now, I don't have kids, but I was there when Amy broke her toe. From what I remember of the time, the last thing I had time to do was spend an hour playing on line.

I don't have a picture to go alone with this page of the instruction manual, but, use your imagination, ok?

Instructions:
BABY BROKEN TOE
Yes:
Ice it, call the doctor, give them tylenol, maybe a beer to calm them down.
No:
Don't spend an hour online reading my blog! No matter how funny it may be! Your kid has a broken toe!

Oh, and, yes, I have to agree with some people that the nose picking one probably isn't really a bad thing. I mean, babies can't pick their own noses, you have to do it for them, right?

And, Scott, I don't see what wrong with containing a kid like that...I mean, the picture does show that the crate has a water bottle and a place for a food bowl...

Instruction Book to Parenting

Mike's subject for the day is to "teach society something." Well, I had a whole blog planned on how to drive, and then when Canisius didn't cancel classes this morning I thought up another one about why school should close when my car is covered with ice, but then I found this, and I think it's important that people know how to take care of their babies. So, here it is...