I'm in Albany right now. i went up there to put a few things in place with school. I really like it there, so far. The campus is very modern, but appealing looking. I went to Disability Services, and they were a huge help and were very nice. They have power scooters that people can use for the day anytime they need one. That would be a huge help, with the arthritis. Plus, they have adaptive technology so that I don't have to write by hand anymore. They gave me the lowdown on a lot of the university information I needed.
The one problem I've been having is finding housing. The entire campus housing is booked up already. I'm trying to find an apartment on the busline. I think I will find one okay, but it's kind of difficult being in Buffalo. Residence Life was disheartening to deal with, and the person we spoke with was pretty rude. Maybe she was having a tough day, though. I know it's not an easy job. Tommorow, I meet with my advisor to hopefully register for classes and find out more about the teaching job.
It was good to get away from everything. My Aunt and Uncle lives in Albany, and I went out to lunch with them and my parents. We went to this fancy chain restaurant called the Cheesecake Factory. I had never been there before. It was kind of pricy, but the food was good. Especially their key lime cheesecake:).
Museumchick's Journal
My Podcast Link
04/18/2007 17:09 #38943
so farCategory: albany
04/16/2007 14:10 #38918
virgina shootingsCategory: news
You wonder what could lead someone to go on a shooting rampage that would kill dozens of innocent people. What inside their brain snaps? What leads them on a path like that? Are people who do something like that always mentally ill, or are some of them just evil?
vycious - 04/17/07 18:32
its obviously Take-Two and Rockstars fault for releasing Grand Theft Auto 4 this upcoming October.
its obviously Take-Two and Rockstars fault for releasing Grand Theft Auto 4 this upcoming October.
metalpeter - 04/17/07 17:22
I just read an article on Yahoo's news page that says the Kid like never talked to anyone. When he signed a sign in sheet he put in a question mark. I guess he stalked a couple girls. In a writing class he wrote stuff that was very violant. Because of that he was sent into couciling. They found a note that said something out down with Riches and women. Assuming all of this is true. It sounds like he came from a working class enviroment and had a few serious issues. Then being in a place where there where people he didn't like and where he didn't feel he fit in maybe he just snaped. I'm not sure for how long this will lead to that article but for now it should. :::link:::
I just read an article on Yahoo's news page that says the Kid like never talked to anyone. When he signed a sign in sheet he put in a question mark. I guess he stalked a couple girls. In a writing class he wrote stuff that was very violant. Because of that he was sent into couciling. They found a note that said something out down with Riches and women. Assuming all of this is true. It sounds like he came from a working class enviroment and had a few serious issues. Then being in a place where there where people he didn't like and where he didn't feel he fit in maybe he just snaped. I'm not sure for how long this will lead to that article but for now it should. :::link:::
ladycroft - 04/17/07 15:57
let's start with: regardless if this girl cheated on him, it is not THE cause of this. there would be no reason for the deliberate selection of further victims. of course many crimes have no 'reason'. maybe he had an undiagnosed mental illness, maybe he was full of hate, it's only speculation because he's dead too.
human history has shown we are capable of incredible acts of horror, as well as incredible acts of selflessness. we witnessed both in this case.
it is saddening to have to use this as a prime source of learning concerning my degree, but it's the type of reality i know i'm going to face in the future. i have to do my best to learn from it.
let's start with: regardless if this girl cheated on him, it is not THE cause of this. there would be no reason for the deliberate selection of further victims. of course many crimes have no 'reason'. maybe he had an undiagnosed mental illness, maybe he was full of hate, it's only speculation because he's dead too.
human history has shown we are capable of incredible acts of horror, as well as incredible acts of selflessness. we witnessed both in this case.
it is saddening to have to use this as a prime source of learning concerning my degree, but it's the type of reality i know i'm going to face in the future. i have to do my best to learn from it.
jason - 04/17/07 08:51
Addendum - not that I 100% feel bad for the guy, but I've been in the place where a girl has gone behind my back, and I lost my mind too, the difference was I didn't get 2 9 mils and a vest full of ammo to go killing people.
Addendum - not that I 100% feel bad for the guy, but I've been in the place where a girl has gone behind my back, and I lost my mind too, the difference was I didn't get 2 9 mils and a vest full of ammo to go killing people.
jason - 04/17/07 08:50
A girl went behind his back, started seeing another guy, and the gunman SNAPPED LIKE A TWIG. Poor bastard, his guardian angel was asleep at the wheel!
A girl went behind his back, started seeing another guy, and the gunman SNAPPED LIKE A TWIG. Poor bastard, his guardian angel was asleep at the wheel!
brit - 04/16/07 18:05
I don't know what I would do if that was UB, one minute you're teaching then that happens and you feel so protective of your students, it's horrible beyond words
I don't know what I would do if that was UB, one minute you're teaching then that happens and you feel so protective of your students, it's horrible beyond words
chico - 04/16/07 18:01
I have no idea what drives people to such depths, all I know is that I was practically physically sick reading a NYT article about it.
:::link:::
I have no idea what drives people to such depths, all I know is that I was practically physically sick reading a NYT article about it.
:::link:::
metalpeter - 04/16/07 17:35
On MSNBC's web page there was a claim that one of the women was his Ex. What the guys life was like at sometime may give us a clue. I'm kinda hoping that he left something like a video telling what caused this. Sometimes people all ready have violent thoughts or actions and then something pushes them over the Edge. Sometimes someone is mocked or bullied and teased so they strike back. My guess is that the only people who may know why where all killed. Reason I say that is the one thing a read said he wasn't shooting randomly he was aiming so it could be that he had a hit list, but who knows.
On MSNBC's web page there was a claim that one of the women was his Ex. What the guys life was like at sometime may give us a clue. I'm kinda hoping that he left something like a video telling what caused this. Sometimes people all ready have violent thoughts or actions and then something pushes them over the Edge. Sometimes someone is mocked or bullied and teased so they strike back. My guess is that the only people who may know why where all killed. Reason I say that is the one thing a read said he wasn't shooting randomly he was aiming so it could be that he had a hit list, but who knows.
04/15/2007 08:55 #38896
i wish...Category: dating
I talked to the boy for a few minutes last night. He called me during a break on the Sabres game. That meant a lot to me. Usually, the hockey game is always a sacred time for him, not to be interrupted by anything. He sounded happy for me when I told him Albany- he was supportive about it.
I wish i could have been able to really talk to him about it as far as us goes. I probably won't have a chance for awhile, because he's so busy with everything. He has to write forty pages worth of papers for college, he has paperwork from his business, all kinds of crazy stuff. Which I understand, and feel bad for him about.
What's hard is that I know there is no possibility for a long distance thing. I didn't have the chance to talk to him about it. One of the first times I ever hungout with him, he had told me that he would never do a long-distance relationship with someone again. He's told me that numerous times since. He had a really bad experience in the past with someone he loved in which he was in a long-distance relationship with. I may want it, but it would be unrealistic of me to think it would even work if he actually wanted it.
I am really happy for all these good things coming up in my life, but the thought of not having him with me hurts so much.
I wish i could have been able to really talk to him about it as far as us goes. I probably won't have a chance for awhile, because he's so busy with everything. He has to write forty pages worth of papers for college, he has paperwork from his business, all kinds of crazy stuff. Which I understand, and feel bad for him about.
What's hard is that I know there is no possibility for a long distance thing. I didn't have the chance to talk to him about it. One of the first times I ever hungout with him, he had told me that he would never do a long-distance relationship with someone again. He's told me that numerous times since. He had a really bad experience in the past with someone he loved in which he was in a long-distance relationship with. I may want it, but it would be unrealistic of me to think it would even work if he actually wanted it.
I am really happy for all these good things coming up in my life, but the thought of not having him with me hurts so much.
carolinian - 04/15/07 21:47
I've been there myself.
Several times.
With the same person.
In the last year.
What sucks most about LDR's is that it always ends up being this "damned if you do, damned if you don't" situation. If you stay, you can't meet your own needs, and if you leave, you lose the thing you love most. If it goes well, people can still be friends and maybe there's hope for something in the future when there's no longer any distance between them. When LDR's don't go well, you've got the person who stays feeling shocked and hurt that the other is leaving and the person who leaves feeling extremely guilty that they're leaving the other person. It sounds like things are going as they best can for you, and you're lucky to have the person who's staying being as accepting as they are of your need to leave.
I've been there myself.
Several times.
With the same person.
In the last year.
What sucks most about LDR's is that it always ends up being this "damned if you do, damned if you don't" situation. If you stay, you can't meet your own needs, and if you leave, you lose the thing you love most. If it goes well, people can still be friends and maybe there's hope for something in the future when there's no longer any distance between them. When LDR's don't go well, you've got the person who stays feeling shocked and hurt that the other is leaving and the person who leaves feeling extremely guilty that they're leaving the other person. It sounds like things are going as they best can for you, and you're lucky to have the person who's staying being as accepting as they are of your need to leave.
04/13/2007 10:39 #38877
VonnegutCategory: books and writing
All time is all time. It does not change. It does not lend itself to warnings or explanations. It simply is. Take it moment by moment, and you will find that we are all, as I've said before, bugs in amber.
Kurt Vonnegut, Slaughterhouse V
My friend sent this to me:
(Thank you guys for all the encouraging comments on the last entry! I really appreciate it).
Kurt Vonnegut, Slaughterhouse V
My friend sent this to me:
(Thank you guys for all the encouraging comments on the last entry! I really appreciate it).
joshua - 04/13/07 15:00
A countercultural icon move along - while I never agreed with his politics I thought that his writing was very unique and certainly captured the spirit of the time better than any other... in particular SH5. RIP Mr. V!
A countercultural icon move along - while I never agreed with his politics I thought that his writing was very unique and certainly captured the spirit of the time better than any other... in particular SH5. RIP Mr. V!
ladycroft - 04/13/07 14:31
Sirens of Titan was my fav
Sirens of Titan was my fav
carolinian - 04/13/07 12:06
On a flight down to North Carolina last year, I sat next to a man who looked strikingly similar to Kurt Vonnegut. I so wanted to ask him if he was who I thought he was, but I was like "jeez, it will be so embarrasing if I'm wrong." In hindsight, I probably should have asked. If I was right it probably would have led to a very interesting conversation.
I guess he didn't get to have his classy suicide by Pall Mall after all.
On a flight down to North Carolina last year, I sat next to a man who looked strikingly similar to Kurt Vonnegut. I so wanted to ask him if he was who I thought he was, but I was like "jeez, it will be so embarrasing if I'm wrong." In hindsight, I probably should have asked. If I was right it probably would have led to a very interesting conversation.
I guess he didn't get to have his classy suicide by Pall Mall after all.
04/12/2007 14:46 #38860
AlbanyCategory: albany
I just got an email today from SUNY Albany. They just offered me a teaching assistantship that opened up. Three years of financial support from the department, plus my tuition is paid for. I also get health insurance. I teach a class or two a semester.
I can't believe it... I'm just shocked. I'm so excited to have the chance to get the doctorate, and to teach. I can't wait.
The hard part is going to be leaving Buffalo. I'm going to miss the city a lot, and especially miss all my friends here. That's the part that makes my heart ache. I'm 24, but I've only ever lived in Jamestown and Buffalo. I'm not leaving Buffalo till the end of the summer, though. I'm going to finish up my thesis, and work at central library for awhile.
Wow, I feel so wierd... but so happy at the same time.
I can't believe it... I'm just shocked. I'm so excited to have the chance to get the doctorate, and to teach. I can't wait.
The hard part is going to be leaving Buffalo. I'm going to miss the city a lot, and especially miss all my friends here. That's the part that makes my heart ache. I'm 24, but I've only ever lived in Jamestown and Buffalo. I'm not leaving Buffalo till the end of the summer, though. I'm going to finish up my thesis, and work at central library for awhile.
Wow, I feel so wierd... but so happy at the same time.
james - 04/13/07 14:51
From a former Albanian:
They have an amazing food coop. Not like our fake one. You will love it.
Diners: so many diners! near washington and Lark. These are the kind of places that inspired Hopper.
Lark st: A new bar opens every month. A bar closes every month. There is a constant rotation of neat little dives. There is a wine bar in a cellar store front. It will look like a hole in the wall but their wine list is top notch, the music is great, and did I mention the wine list?
NYC and Montreal are not that far away. Stalk Leonard Cohen, I know you want to.
The museum in North Adams, MA is about 40 minutes away and is the best little MOMA you never heard of.
To get the feel for Albany, rent to movie Ironweed. Jack Nicolson, Glen Close, and Tom Waits play drunk, homeless people in Albany during the great depression. It is based off a novel of the same name by Albany's own William Kenedy. The movie is a little somber, but it is a great cultural relic in understanding Albany.
Say hello to my old home for me.
From a former Albanian:
They have an amazing food coop. Not like our fake one. You will love it.
Diners: so many diners! near washington and Lark. These are the kind of places that inspired Hopper.
Lark st: A new bar opens every month. A bar closes every month. There is a constant rotation of neat little dives. There is a wine bar in a cellar store front. It will look like a hole in the wall but their wine list is top notch, the music is great, and did I mention the wine list?
NYC and Montreal are not that far away. Stalk Leonard Cohen, I know you want to.
The museum in North Adams, MA is about 40 minutes away and is the best little MOMA you never heard of.
To get the feel for Albany, rent to movie Ironweed. Jack Nicolson, Glen Close, and Tom Waits play drunk, homeless people in Albany during the great depression. It is based off a novel of the same name by Albany's own William Kenedy. The movie is a little somber, but it is a great cultural relic in understanding Albany.
Say hello to my old home for me.
ladycroft - 04/13/07 14:35
yay- hurray for you! what i like to say to most people on an upcoming move, don't view it as leaving anything or anyone behind; view it as finding something and someone new! life is an adventure, have fun with it!
yay- hurray for you! what i like to say to most people on an upcoming move, don't view it as leaving anything or anyone behind; view it as finding something and someone new! life is an adventure, have fun with it!
leetee - 04/13/07 13:25
Coolness. And congrats. I hope it is everything you want it to be and more! I am sure you will do well!! Don't forget to keep in touch with us here! :O)
Coolness. And congrats. I hope it is everything you want it to be and more! I am sure you will do well!! Don't forget to keep in touch with us here! :O)
chico - 04/12/07 22:21
Congratulations! And good luck.
I have a friend who teaches in the Political Science department at SUNY Albany -- if you like I can reach out to him for advice to someone who is moving to Albany for grad school. :)
Congratulations! And good luck.
I have a friend who teaches in the Political Science department at SUNY Albany -- if you like I can reach out to him for advice to someone who is moving to Albany for grad school. :)
mike - 04/12/07 19:22
Congratulations!
Congratulations!
anne - 04/12/07 18:48
Congratulations! Albany has some nice things to offer. Try to get to the Adirondacks sometime, they are simply amazing. Not THAT close...maybe an hour and a half, two hours...but worth the trip, if you like that stuff, and even if you don't.
Congratulations! Albany has some nice things to offer. Try to get to the Adirondacks sometime, they are simply amazing. Not THAT close...maybe an hour and a half, two hours...but worth the trip, if you like that stuff, and even if you don't.
matthew - 04/12/07 15:58
Congrats!
Congrats!
carolinian - 04/12/07 15:41
Knock'em dead.
Knock'em dead.
theecarey - 04/12/07 15:01
Thats seems to be an awesome deal! congrats!
and Albany is still close enough for your friends to come see you or you can venture out to B-lo whenever you have free time ;)
Thats seems to be an awesome deal! congrats!
and Albany is still close enough for your friends to come see you or you can venture out to B-lo whenever you have free time ;)
jason - 04/12/07 14:50
Well done, (e:Museumchick). It sounds like too good of a deal to pass up. Sounds like it leaves you pretty much able to focus on your work and your teaching.
Well done, (e:Museumchick). It sounds like too good of a deal to pass up. Sounds like it leaves you pretty much able to focus on your work and your teaching.
Pretty much... I'm sort of taking it day to day, I guess.
other than housing, is everything looking good for you?
Sounds like some of your family wont be too far away from you!