The earth, apparently.
The projector started to shake. The water in the fish tanks started sloshing all around. The students looked around the classroom bewildered as my knees or the floor buckled several times. Then I blurted out, "Earthquake!" That doesn't have the calming effect one would think it might have!
An earthquake, you might ask, unless you were living on the East Coast yesterday and felt the effects of the 5.9 shaker that originated in Mineral, VA. I've never been in an earthquake and, I have to admit it was pretty surreal. Time between the 1st rumblings and the last trembles has warped for me; it seems like it took forever but was over in the blink of an eye.
And now the area is bracing for the approach of Hurricane Irene! Will she or won't she, that little tease?
Wednesday, August 24, 2011
Tuesday, August 16, 2011
My Evening On 'Ensign Point'
Tonight Sara and I agreed to help out some friends and perform a little role-playing, interactive game at a local sleep away camp. Campers would walk around and deliver messages to and fro, ask questions of mysterious characters, and try and help solve the mystery. My post was on the southern most point of camp and surrounded by the Rhode River. Here are some snapshots, that do not include me in my pirate costume.
My station along for the evening. I waited for campers to find me.
Sunset over Sheephead Cove! Beautiful!
Once I actually had a fire, and the insects left me alone, the evening was quite fun.
My station along for the evening. I waited for campers to find me.
Sunset over Sheephead Cove! Beautiful!
Once I actually had a fire, and the insects left me alone, the evening was quite fun.
Monday, August 15, 2011
This Might Be Hard To Believe...
... But I don't really like discussing myself. ('Then why do you write a blog?' you might be wondering.)
That's different. I like telling stories. I like writing scripts, and short stories. I do not like discussing personal details with strangers. I do not like answering questions about myself or my health when approached by professional question askers.
For example, today I had a doctor's appointment, a check up with my general practitioner, and I was not looking forward to it. I suffer from 'White Coat Syndrome' - meaning that my stress level jumps as soon as I walk into the waiting room. My blood pressure shows that anxiety, and I am not comfortable until I walk out to my car afterward.
Today I was especially uncomfortable, due to the fact that I have been rather lax lately in following through with my health care. I'm taking prescriptions for my health problems but did not follow through with a few appointments I was supposed to schedule. So sue me! I got busy living life. Preparing for a baby, finding a new job locally, paying bills, and finding a second job to help pay those bills has been occupying my time.
Having said that my appointment went pretty well. My weight has dropped, without trying, and my blood pressure is at a healthier level. The doctor was surprised that I hadn't followed through on his recommendations and that I let so long go between communicating with him. It wasn't a big scene or anything but I felt a little uncomfortable. This worsened when the doctor popped back in to the room as I was having my blood drawn and mentioned a new program that I might benefit from.
Basically, through my insurance I qualify for a new program. A case worker will help me stay on top of my healthcare. The representative will communicate between my doctors, and specialist, help arrange appointments, tests and procedures and will help make sure that I pay attention to the passage of time between appointments. The new program doesn't affect my insurance premiums, and I can cancel the option at any time.
Sure, why not. A representative came into ask me a few questions. Great! My blood pressure rises again. Medical history? Family history? Prescriptions? Lifestyle choices? Work? Finances? Question after question! All reasonable and logical! Still I felt uncomfortable with all this attention focused on me. Why does she need to know all about me to effectively help me? Silly question.
That's different. I like telling stories. I like writing scripts, and short stories. I do not like discussing personal details with strangers. I do not like answering questions about myself or my health when approached by professional question askers.
For example, today I had a doctor's appointment, a check up with my general practitioner, and I was not looking forward to it. I suffer from 'White Coat Syndrome' - meaning that my stress level jumps as soon as I walk into the waiting room. My blood pressure shows that anxiety, and I am not comfortable until I walk out to my car afterward.
Today I was especially uncomfortable, due to the fact that I have been rather lax lately in following through with my health care. I'm taking prescriptions for my health problems but did not follow through with a few appointments I was supposed to schedule. So sue me! I got busy living life. Preparing for a baby, finding a new job locally, paying bills, and finding a second job to help pay those bills has been occupying my time.
Having said that my appointment went pretty well. My weight has dropped, without trying, and my blood pressure is at a healthier level. The doctor was surprised that I hadn't followed through on his recommendations and that I let so long go between communicating with him. It wasn't a big scene or anything but I felt a little uncomfortable. This worsened when the doctor popped back in to the room as I was having my blood drawn and mentioned a new program that I might benefit from.
Basically, through my insurance I qualify for a new program. A case worker will help me stay on top of my healthcare. The representative will communicate between my doctors, and specialist, help arrange appointments, tests and procedures and will help make sure that I pay attention to the passage of time between appointments. The new program doesn't affect my insurance premiums, and I can cancel the option at any time.
Sure, why not. A representative came into ask me a few questions. Great! My blood pressure rises again. Medical history? Family history? Prescriptions? Lifestyle choices? Work? Finances? Question after question! All reasonable and logical! Still I felt uncomfortable with all this attention focused on me. Why does she need to know all about me to effectively help me? Silly question.
Wednesday, August 10, 2011
Oh My God, There's Something In There!
Tonight I felt the baby kick for the very 1st time! Lately, Sara has been feeling all kinds of movement from Baby Cobb. She'll start suddenly, or gasp or squirm and mumble something about baby doing a back flip. Sometimes she'll even grab my hand and throw it on her belly and ask, "Did you feel that? What about that? You had to feel that?" But I never did.
Until tonight! Baby's been kicking up a storm and Sara swears she could see her belly move. So I tried again and WHAM there was a bump, a kick, a punch something against the palm of my hand! Then another and another! I lowered my face to Sara's belly and wouldn't you know my daughter caught me with a roundhouse kick to the head! She's moving in there, alright. She's like some kind of Bruce Lee/Ballerina and she is getting ready for opening kick off!
Until tonight! Baby's been kicking up a storm and Sara swears she could see her belly move. So I tried again and WHAM there was a bump, a kick, a punch something against the palm of my hand! Then another and another! I lowered my face to Sara's belly and wouldn't you know my daughter caught me with a roundhouse kick to the head! She's moving in there, alright. She's like some kind of Bruce Lee/Ballerina and she is getting ready for opening kick off!
A Tired Future
I think I have some long days and nights ahead of me. Everyone says when you have a baby kiss a full night's sleep good bye! There will be months when the baby doesn't sleep the night through, and we'll be up soothing, feeding, and rocking the baby all night long. That's fine... well, not fine but expected. We'll have to spend those sleepless nights with the baby. That's pat of the deal, I know, but I'm still not looking forward to missing all that sleep.
Oh, and I've started working a 2nd job at a local 'Neighborhood Grocery Store'. It's hard work, a lot of work and I'm enjoying being busy and working with my hands but it is job #2! Job #1, the school, starts up again next week and I'll be working Monday through Friday full time. I'm not quite sure yet what my schedule will be in the afternoon and evenings but several of those days I will, more than likely, leave one job and drive directly to the next one.
I'm not complaining - not yet anyway. I'm just saying there's a good chance that I am going to be pretty worn out in the next couple years or 18! I'm going to have to get good at catching little power naps here and there, or when ever I am able. Maybe I should go and take a nap now in preparation for the long days ahead.
Oh, and I've started working a 2nd job at a local 'Neighborhood Grocery Store'. It's hard work, a lot of work and I'm enjoying being busy and working with my hands but it is job #2! Job #1, the school, starts up again next week and I'll be working Monday through Friday full time. I'm not quite sure yet what my schedule will be in the afternoon and evenings but several of those days I will, more than likely, leave one job and drive directly to the next one.
I'm not complaining - not yet anyway. I'm just saying there's a good chance that I am going to be pretty worn out in the next couple years or 18! I'm going to have to get good at catching little power naps here and there, or when ever I am able. Maybe I should go and take a nap now in preparation for the long days ahead.
Thursday, August 04, 2011
Good Question
"Enjoying your vacation?" he asked.
"It's okay," I replied, "I'm starting a new job tomorrow though, so hopefully I'll get a few shifts next week."
"Well, how are you gonna do that when you have the other job?"
"I'll work at the school during the day and then the 2nd job will be more in the evenings and weekends," I explained.
He shook his head and looked down at the wet pavement. "I guess you have to do what it takes."
Yes, I do. So I will be starting job #2 tomorrow. It will be part time and, hopefully, be flexible enough to work around job #1. Unfortunately, neither job pays particularly well so at this stage in the game I need them both. I'm excited though. This new job is a company that my wife and I both support, it seems like a good place to work, and it's right around the corner. We'll see how it all works out, especially when I start taking classes in the fall.
"It's okay," I replied, "I'm starting a new job tomorrow though, so hopefully I'll get a few shifts next week."
"Well, how are you gonna do that when you have the other job?"
"I'll work at the school during the day and then the 2nd job will be more in the evenings and weekends," I explained.
He shook his head and looked down at the wet pavement. "I guess you have to do what it takes."
Yes, I do. So I will be starting job #2 tomorrow. It will be part time and, hopefully, be flexible enough to work around job #1. Unfortunately, neither job pays particularly well so at this stage in the game I need them both. I'm excited though. This new job is a company that my wife and I both support, it seems like a good place to work, and it's right around the corner. We'll see how it all works out, especially when I start taking classes in the fall.
Friday, July 29, 2011
Post # 700!
To mark my 700th post I thought I'd try a little video blog, and maybe even start a small series of posts concerning our upcoming family member. This will be the 1st concerning changes we will have to make to accommodate a little one in our abode.
What will become of the guest room in our current apartment? Good question. Let's see what happens over the next few months. Baby's due in December remember.
PS. I would've panned the camera around some to show you the room but it is a trainwreck right now.
What will become of the guest room in our current apartment? Good question. Let's see what happens over the next few months. Baby's due in December remember.
PS. I would've panned the camera around some to show you the room but it is a trainwreck right now.
My New Hobby
I like to check and see how bad rush hour traffic on the Washington Beltway is before or after my commute to and from my new job. I check a local website, www.wtop.com, and it shows me traffic routes and speeds. The map shows green when the traffic flow is good, yellow when it's slow, and red when it's bad news. Today I checked the site about the time I'd normally be heading home from my last job and, wouldn't you know it, that Beltway was RED & YELLOW all over the place! The inner loop along the north side, my daily route, looked like the freakin' Flag of the Soviet Union! I'm sooooooo happy I'm not sitting in that nightmare!
Sunday, July 24, 2011
Currently Reading:
It's an odd time for me reading wise.
I'm trying to read a few play scripts because I'm on the play selection committee for a local theatre company. I'm trying to bring a few options to the table. Some of the scripts I've had for awhile and others I've tried to get from the library but with money tight right now I have not been ordering new scripts to peruse.
I'm also reading a biology review book. I'm assistant teaching high school biology this year and am trying to brush up on my scientific knowledge.
In preparation for our upcoming baby, we're currently sitting at the halfway point in Sara's pregnancy, I'm also reading a book that was sent to me by my mother-in-law:
For fun I've been taking my time reading an interesting book about the death of God. It's not a philosophy or religion book. It's a fiction in which God's corpse has been found floating in the middle of the ocean and the Vatican is trying to keep it quiet. A supertanker is hired to tow the Corpus Dei to the arctic in an effort to preserve the dead deity, and keep the public from finding out that the laws of morality may or may not apply any longer.
Then, of course, there is the backlog of books I have resting on bookshelves, piled in corners, or recently handed to me by family or friends. I always try to have something I'm reading, but lately I'm having a hard time focusing on finishing an entire chapter much less a book.
I'm trying to read a few play scripts because I'm on the play selection committee for a local theatre company. I'm trying to bring a few options to the table. Some of the scripts I've had for awhile and others I've tried to get from the library but with money tight right now I have not been ordering new scripts to peruse.
I'm also reading a biology review book. I'm assistant teaching high school biology this year and am trying to brush up on my scientific knowledge.
In preparation for our upcoming baby, we're currently sitting at the halfway point in Sara's pregnancy, I'm also reading a book that was sent to me by my mother-in-law:
For fun I've been taking my time reading an interesting book about the death of God. It's not a philosophy or religion book. It's a fiction in which God's corpse has been found floating in the middle of the ocean and the Vatican is trying to keep it quiet. A supertanker is hired to tow the Corpus Dei to the arctic in an effort to preserve the dead deity, and keep the public from finding out that the laws of morality may or may not apply any longer.
Then, of course, there is the backlog of books I have resting on bookshelves, piled in corners, or recently handed to me by family or friends. I always try to have something I'm reading, but lately I'm having a hard time focusing on finishing an entire chapter much less a book.
Thursday, July 21, 2011
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