Musings by Twilight

Statistics and Interesting Articles - Some Mid-day Humour (of a sort)

2008-02-27T22:00:04Z

Warning - I am a nerd.

I am taking a statistics class this semester and my teacher is nothing short of insane. A sweet, brilliant, more-than-forthcoming-with-information, and goes-above-and-beyond kind of man, but insane. *chuckle* He is crazed and wild, which makes both my interpreter's and my own life rather difficult at times. However, that's not the point...

He posted an article to his website which discusses the socio-political upheaval that is being caused by the male-to-female ratio in China. "According to China's latest census, 116.9 Chinese boys were born for every 100 girls in 2000 -- up from an already alarming 'sex ratio at birth' of 111.3 boys in 1990. Both figures are well above the 105-107 boys for every 100 girls considered normal worldwide." (pp. 01-02)

One paragraph of the article discussing alarm of both the Chinese government and experts worldwide at the surplus of bachelors in China quotes one Chinese magazine's input on the matter. "The Chinese magazine Beijing Luntan predicted as early as 1997 that 'such sexual crimes as forced marriages, girls stolen for wives, bigamy, visiting prostitutes, rape, adultery . . . homosexuality . . . and weird sexual habits appear to be unavoidable.'" (p. 02)

Alas, another disturbing, yet amusing, moment in my day. Laughter is good for the soul.

China thrown off balance as boys outnumber girls. 19 Jun 2002. USA Today. Reposted at http://kkuniyuk.com/Math119ChinaBachelors.pdf.

Online Class - Morning Shock

2008-02-21T19:16:43Z

I am taking two online classes this semester, one of which is a psychology class. The teacher of that class asked us to take a survey, which she had posted, about our opinions of online learning. Apparently the district is arguing whether or not to continue offering online classes (for a number of seemingly ignorant reasons, IMHO). In any case, I opened the survey and question number one shocked me so much that I nearly choked on my toast.

(Yes, I know ... sex and gender are two very different questions. But that really wasn't my point.)

My Grandmother - May Her Memory Be for a Blessing

2008-02-21T19:12:48Z

יתגדל ויתקדש שמה רבא. אמן בעלמא די ברא כרעותה וימלך מלכותה, בחייכון וביומיכון ובחיי דכל בית ישראל, בעגלא ובזמן קריב. ואמרו אמן. אמן
יהא שמה רבא מברך לעלם ולעלמי עלמיא.
יהא שמה רבא מברך לעלם ולעלמי עלמיא.
יתברך וישתבח ויתפאר ויתרומם ויתנשא ויתהדר ויתעלה ויתהלל שמא דקדשא
בריך הוא
לעלא מן כל
לעלא ולעלא מכל
ברכתא ושירתא תשבחתא ונחמתא, דאמירן בעלמא. ואמרו אמן. אמן
יהא שלמא רבא מן שמיא, וחיים
טובים
עלינו ועל כל ישראל. ואמרו אמן. אמן
עשה שלום במרומיו, הוא יעשה שלום עלינו, ועל כל ישראל. ואמרו אמן. אמן

Yeetgadal v' yeetkadash sh'mey rabbah. Amein.
B'almah dee v'rah kheer'utey
v' yamleekh malkhutei,b'chahyeykhohn, uv' yohmeykhohn,
uv'chahyei d'chohl beyt yisrael,
ba'agalah u'veez'man kareev, v'eemru: Amein.
Y'hey sh'met rabbah m'varach l'alam u'l'almey almahyah.
Yeet'barakh, v' yeesh'tabach, v' yeetpa'ar, v' yeetrohmam, v' yeet'nasei,
v' yeet'hadar, v' yeet'aleh, v' yeet'halal sh'mey d'kudshah b'reekh hoo
L'eylah meen kohl beerkhatah v'sheeratah,
toosh'b'chatah v'nechematah, da'ameeran b'al'mah, v'eemru: Amein
Y'hei shlamah rabbah meen sh'mahyah,v'chahyeem
aleynu v'al kohl yisrael, v'eemru: Amein
Oseh shalom beem'roh'mahv, hoo ya'aseh shalom,
aleynu v'al kohl yisrael v'eemru: Amein

Bjorn's friend - May his memory be for a blessing

2008-01-26T19:35:04Z

womble_bat @ 2008-01-16T21:12:00

2008-01-17T05:13:08Z

View Poll: What is the source of this photo?

Drew - May his memory be for a blessing.

2008-01-09T12:24:08Z

Visiting Syracuse, NYC, and Alabama

2008-01-01T00:14:08Z

Alright folks ... trip time!

I'll be in Syracuse from Wednesday, 02 Jan - Wednesday, 09 Jan. Then I'm in NYC for a couple of days, and then Alabama til 16 Jan. If you want to catch up, let me know! :)

Hope I'll see some of you.

[Molly - I can't wait!!!!!! Ahhhhhhhhhhh!!!!!!!!!!]

Wildfires Rage in San Diego

2007-10-22T20:04:51Z

I'm posting to let ya'll know, if you don't already, that San Diego is currently experiencing some of the worst wildfires in recent history. The county has declared a state of emergency and thousands of residents are evacuating.

I have friends and family in the fire zones, some of whom have already evacuated, and I'm worried about them. I, however, am alright, at least for the moment.

If anyone needs to reach me, you can find my contact info on my profile.

Have you ever wondered...?

2007-09-15T18:28:54Z

I've spent nearly every nite this week reading ancient philosophy (Aeschylus, Plato) and listening to opera.

And I quite enjoy it.

It seems it's always something...

2007-09-07T06:54:42Z

I'll have a consultation with a spinal surgeon soon.

Back home :)

2007-08-27T02:43:21Z

I'm back from my retreat in Julian where I was staffing Strength for the Journey. It was a wonderful week and I met many new people. In fact, I even happened to meet a special kind of certain someone... We'll see where that goes. He was one of the interpreters, so it's arguable that the development of our relationship was not totally Kosher. He's coined the term 'accidental client' for me, since the terps had no idea that I'd be using their services and I wasn't their intended audience. In any case, we'll never tell. ;)

I start back in classes tomorrow. I'm not feelin' it. Blegh. I'm expecting this semester to be wierd... An ex of mine will be in one of my classes. Strange, to say the least. And my schedule is *entirely* unexciting, save one class and one teacher.

I reckon this week will consist of A LOT of school, a few dates, eating, sleeping, and personal hygiene ... and not much else.

RAD/IDL - Oddity!

2007-08-09T06:00:47Z

What the hell? *shakes head in disbelief* Of ALL the many, many photos from RAD and IDL that there are, the following is the only one in which any part of me appears. [And I was mingling around at nearly everything!]

Yes folks, that is my back.

I'm back!

2007-08-08T02:42:08Z

I just rec'd some very exciting post today. I've been named on the Dean's Honour List and have been invited to join the International Honour Society. And to think that I was on academic probation just one year ago! School refused to believe me that it was my health that caused me to drop classes and leave school. Eat humble pie!

My GPA should be a 4.0, but that one B... Well, as angry as the story behind that makes me, there's nothing I can do about it.

In any case, I'm happy and, academically speaking, I'm back! Woohoo!

Fun Little Quiz :)

2007-07-27T18:37:03Z

I don't normally post these type of things, but I reckoned this might be fun. Good luck!

Create your own Friend Test here

=D

2007-07-26T02:09:33Z

*big, cheesy grin*

I FINALLY had the chance to VP with our most fabulous dodgingwndshlds! Our connection was a bit wonky, tho... Sadness. :( Robot-like quality video makes ASL quite difficult to understand. [I miss you! Perhaps a trip to Portland is in order soon... Cowboy bar?]

Who *else* has VP? Someone must! I need to add people to my address book. It's rather barren at the moment.

PS -- I have a Sidekick 2 for sale. [inc. charger (wall and car, if needed), carrying case, wired headset, manual, and new SIM card] Anyone interested?

In other exciting news, although I've had quite the trial as of late with regard to medical issues, I finally managed to see my GP today. In a very pleasant surprise, I was not there for a million hours and I had a very productive visit! All my scrips have been renewed, all my referrals have been submitted, and I was pleased with the quality of the latest report from the neurologist. If only I didn't have to wait til nearly November to see the spinal-neurosurgeon! [Gotta love how a top-tier priority referral takes just shy of six months!]

Pride this past week-end was enjoyable. My room is slowly but surely getting back in to organised cleanliness. My parcel o' love from shakay finally rocked up. I found out recently that I was awarded a nifty scholarship for excellence in leadership in the queer community. And ... that may be it for the updates.

Where are my Netflix House DVDs?!? I was planning on hunkering down with them this evening... *le pout*

Aurgh! SPAM!

2007-07-20T17:51:53Z

My life is inundated by SPAM. Here's one of the more interesting ones as of late...

Hello honest deaf,
My name is kelvin williams,i work for the uk deaf government..in london .i will really love to pass this information to all good deaf and the honest one that is really willing to take good care of 4 years old girl and a 5 years old boy that .Their mother and father came from unknown area and they live in uk..in 3 months ago their parents die and they left the some of (3 MILLION POUNDS) in their account.and when you convert into usa dollars its about (6.5MILLION DOLLARS).
the TWO DEAF KIDS are in the uk hospital were doctor tony is taking good care of them b'cos they were participated in the accident that happen to God be the glory that they were not dead like their parents.we shall love a good honest deaf or woman who can accept the TWO KIDS and take good care of them and after 2 months the uk government will always come to check after them..and such that person will be given the (THREE MILLION POUNDS) to take good care of the kids.
Please write me back if u re intrested so that we can contact the bank that whole the money as soon as possible and also contact the uk government so that they can sign and agreed the kids to go with u and the money..pls contact the uk goverment through tis mail...
Best Regards
kelvin.

Atlanta - RAD and IDL

2007-06-29T21:09:42Z

My travel plans have been finalised. *does a little happy dance*

I'm leaving for Atlanta Monday evening. I'll be there til Sunday for the Rainbow Alliance of the Deaf conference and the co-occurring International Deaf Leather. I'm rooming with Alex (yay!) and I'm very excited. On Sunday, I'll be taking a train, probably to Birmingham, where shakay will be picking me up. Then we're headed somewhere for a country concert.

[Lemme just say that packing is going to be a horror ... cowboy clothes, everyday clothes, chaps, jump boots, cowboy boots, cowboy hat, other shoes... I clearly need the help of some high-maintenance packing-fabulousness.]

The only entirely crap part of this trip that I'm anticipating is my arrival sector of the journey. I arrive in Nashville around midnite and have to take a taxi to the bus station, a Greyhound to Atlanta, and then a taxi to the hotel. I will probably arrive at the hotel around about 0600 or so. EEP! I've already warned Alex that he's going to have to come down and get my arse and then put my haggard and fucked-up-'n'-totally-knackered self TO BED.

I come back to San Diego on 14 July.

If anyone else will be in Atlanta, let me know. :)

NetFlix

2007-06-27T20:52:49Z

I did it. I gave in and finally joined NetFlix. So, if you'd like to friend me there, feel free. :)

Hosting Problems

2007-06-26T21:44:53Z

Please be patient whilst my hosting account comes back online. Server problems. Gotta love 'em. In the meantime, all my photo links, etc. will be dead.

Hrmph.

EDIT: Ahhhhhh. All better now. :)

chuckle

2007-06-26T07:38:55Z

Are we even remotely surprised???

You are a
Social Liberal
(63% permissive)

and an...
Economic Liberal
(10% permissive)

You are best described as a:

Socialist (10e/63s)

Link: The Politics Test on Ok Cupid
Also: The OkCupid Dating Persona Test

Today, I went shopping and bought...

2007-06-24T22:46:21Z

FAR from the Queen Vic, but certainly much better than terrifying waxed food!!!

[Only 05.00$ for both bowls of fruit!]

Yummy in my tummy!

2007-06-21T21:59:27Z

This morning, I baked drop biscuits. YUM! =D

[Are we getting the feeling yet that I am uber-domestic?]

Pressies!

2007-06-21T21:57:09Z

Last year, Mel had a family member get sick and she is now in a permanent long-term care facility. They had to clean out all of her belongings and amongst them was a whole hell of a heap of sewing paraphernalia. This week, Mel's mother decided to gift me with some of it. After going over last nite to pick up some things, she decided to gift me with all of it. Including a nearly half-century old sewing machine, with all of its parts, its manual, etc. The machine et al is not yet in my possession, but I did come home last nite with hundreds, if not thousands, of dollars of sewing supplies. I am PSYCHED! When I left my parents' house oh-so-many years ago, I could only take with me what fit in to a Dodge Neon. A lot of things that were important to me got left behind, including all of my hobby supplies. My sewing machines were the only thing I was able to bring. I am SO very grateful for my new pressies. =D Happy wombat!

Pressies!

HUNDREDS of spools of thread. This is just one of the bags!

Random fact of the week: For those of you who didn't know, I nearly went to fashion design school (along with the plethora of other eclectic things I've done in my life).

Blood, Sweat, and Sawdust

2007-06-21T19:46:48Z

Last week-end, turbodyke and I had quite the saga whilst trying to fix my dresser. HOURS and HOURS, blood, sweat, and heaps of sawdust later, we succeeded in our task. But first, an homage to our other power tool extravaganzas!

The kitchen:

And the livingroom:

What happens when your drill bit hits random and unexpected concrete in the wall:

And now, the dresser! I really can't convey how much of an ISSUE this was. (It was broken for a year, simply because I knew how much hell it was going to be.)

The broken-ness.

After we shopped (and sadly there are no photos from our quest to Lowe's), we sawed. And sanded. And sawed. And sanded. And ...
[G-d bless Dremel tools!!!]

Mel takes his frustrations out on the evil wood:

And I cheese it up for the camera, wielding a weapon of death! (The insanity had set in by this point, if you can't tell.)

What a mess!

Sugar break!

We're glad he's compact!

YYYYYYYAAAAAAYYYYYYY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! It's fixed! (Mel, you're AMAZING!)

But wait! The fun didn't end there! What was in this box?

Comfy chair! (Hey now! NO, we're not domestic, DAMNIT! I don't care if we went to IKEA and bought furniture together!)

And then there was planting!

I'm a genius.

2007-06-17T09:02:49Z

Smart cowboy here managed to get boiling water poured all over his hand tonite. Oy.

And in tonite's news - I'm a unicorn!!! lol It only takes someone fully decked out in a cowboy hat, a western shirt with the sleeves rolled up high, a big ol' belt and buckle, tight jeans, and cowboy boots walking in to a pool hall that's hosting goth dance nite or a leather bar to have everyone stare at you as if you have ten heads, purple stripes, and yellow polka dots. Of course, I usually get stared at that way most anywhere I go, regardless of what I'm wearing at the time...

My final thought for the evening: I miss Molly. ALOT. My mother was right - I should have married her (Molls, not my mother).

I'm going off now to tend to my sore heart.