Michele

Nope, you don't understand my post. It's a holiday, and those who choose to celebrate it via shopping can. I am not advocating a particular way to celebrate a holiday; rather, I have an opinion about that, and I stated it. Isn't that allowed anymore? The only thing I "expect" is to be able to state my opinion, and offer what views I hold. Sorry if my personal opinion isn't the same as yours...and if I were Empress, I would still leave people to celebrate however they wish...I would also prefer to see people understanding, at least, what the day off is for. Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

Just wanted to let you all know that I got my score last night in class. The test was 9 questions, with 6 bonus questions. I did all the questions, multiple times. I took over 2 hours, and used 6 full pages of paper. I checked and rechecked my answers, plugging in the values and starting over when I needed to. On the test, I received a score of 95. I got all the bonus questions correctly, and so scored 101 out of 106. I looked at the paper last night, and I swear, my professor was incredibly generous. She says not, and the class tutor says not, but I think she was. I have an appointment with the school's disabilities counselor, but it's not for about 10 days. I told the professor and the tutor about the anxiety, and that I was taking steps to remediate that, including getting the counseling from the school, and seeing what needs to be done. They are both fully behind me, and both have offered to help however they can. I am very surprised at my score. And I must say, I'm pretty proud of it, too. I think that it's my highest score in any math class ever. It has also shown me that even though I get very anxious and have problems thinking clearly when faced with a test, that I can do it anyway, and that there is hope for me after all. For all those who've offered tips, advice, tutoring help, and just general commiseration, I appreciate it greatly. I have, as I said, taken this seriously this time, and will be taking steps to find out how to address this more effectively and with less mind-blowing stress, and get help from those who are there to help. I appreciate the encouragement to do so...and it might just mean that I get through this class without a major cardial infarction (which would, you understand, suck). YAY ME!!!! Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

At home sick with the flu. I was in 10th grade (I think...), and my Mom wasn't home. I remember yelling out the window to the neighbor who was mowing his lawn that the president had been shot. My neighbor flew into his house. I was pretty scared...no one home, and all my friends at school...and I had no idea what was going to happen. It was pretty weird. I was aware of politics at the time (in my household, you were aware of them as soon as you were born...), but I wasn't strong in any one philosophy. But I do remember being very, very scared of Al Haig for some reason; his face and demeanor bothered me. Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

You'd lose, Zen my friend. I said "don't need another day off" and I bust ass when at work or at school. I don't think there needs to be a holiday on 9/11 for many reasons; 1: I can remember it just fine on my own, 2: the nation can remember just fine on it's own, and 3: I think lots of people don't remember what the holidays are really about...not holidays, but days of remembrance. Labor Day is the one day which celebrates the worker. The rest are for significant events in our history, or to commemorate those who gave their lives for this country. Yes, this is a capitalist society. Yes, there will always be people who will attend the sales, go to the beach, and party hard on those days. However, I venture to say some people don't even know what the holidays are for (except Thanksgiving and Christmas and New Years). That lack of knowledge is what's sad...not the sales or those buying things at the sales. Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

"Blind dates are not fun." Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

Also, depending upon the model release used, she might have copyright as well. The model release will spell it out; mostly, I use complete release model releases, meaning I can do what I want with those shots without the model's permission: sell them, post them, change them, alter them, et cetera. But it does depend on the release signed. For minors the release is different, but that's not the situation we are talking about here. Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

Thank you, Richards. I have taken advantage of her office hours, the class has a tutor assigned to it (who informed me she didn't know how to help me, as I knew how to do all the work...), and there is a math lab available. I will be hitting the lab tomorrow, as that's the only thing I haven't taken advantage of. And I plan on speaking with the professor tomorrow after class...surprisingly, I can handle word problems; can't handle straight equations on exams. I think it's because I'm very, very comfortable with words, and it gives me something else to do rather than just stare at numbers which make no sense. I don't think I did well on the test yesterday, however. There were 9 problems. The exam started at 6:30. I left the room about 8 pm, having done all the problems at least three times (and often arriving at different solutions each time. Sigh...). I was the last in the room, to my shame (I'm usually in the first group out), and felt badly at the end because it felt like I was making the professor wait on me. She's so kind, and very clear that I wasn't wasting her time, but it sure felt that way anyway. I will look into the other avenues you mention. I am also going to see my RXing Dr, and see what we might be able to do about the anxiety I get. And I will be talking to my therapist about it, as well. I've got lots of avenues of attack; I just don't know which one will work...and I am feeling so frustrated about all of this. I hope it is correctable...I'd hate to have this end my college career. Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

Actually, that did make me laugh. Thanks.

I cannot forget. I want to forget, in a way...but I can't. That day - from the phone call to tell me to not go anywhere and telling me to turn on the tv, to the first cup of coffee, to trying to get through to family back east. I can't forget the terror of that day - not knowing if it was over; not knowing who - or what - was next. Not knowing if my mother had made it into the city or had been late as usual, which meant she'd've not been in the city before they closed it down. I can't forget calling my father in CO at the time, and helping him figure out how to get home from there. Or DZBone trying to get home to his very pregnant wife, and planning out his route from Los Angeles to RI...with stops at DZ.commer's homes along the way to help with costs. I can't forget the bright sun against the blue sky; a sky stained with death and black smoke; stained with evil and with hatred. A sky that had no airplanes in it. I can't forget the faces of those who made it through the inferno. I can't forget those who chose to jump instead of burn or suffocate. I can't forget the faces of the people, utterly blank and covered in powder and ash, struggling to walk home and let loved ones know they still lived. I can't forget the signs, the people holding the signs, with pictures of those lost in the strikes. I can't forget the photos of the missing. Nor can I forget the faces of those who wanted so much to have their loved ones come home, and knew they wouldn't. The sights and sounds of a city devastated but returning and coming back incredibly fast - the lights of Broadway being dark...and then coming back, in a tour d' force of support. I can't forget that the world grieved with us, cried with us, railed against the terrorism with us. I can't forget the memorials at the US embassies all over the world; for a moment, on the heels of such tragedy, there was union; there was communion. I can't forget. And even though a part of me wants to forget, to forget every moment of that day and the days following...I can't forget. And I don't think I want to, after all. Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

CG is distributed by Universal; I got a CG - "The World's First Space Monkey" at Universal City walk out here in LA. You might want to look at the website for Universal Studios. They might have a teeshirt place you can order on-line for. Hope that helps. Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

No kidding. Yes, 2nd class was a quiz, third class an exam. Then a quiz on the 5th class, et cetera. For all of those who've mentioned to speak with the professor, she is already aware of it. There I am, in class, doing the work, helping other students...working the problems at the board. When she saw the quiz, she looked at me and raised her eyebrows. I had the same feeling..."whathefuc???" I do have a disability, and have been medicated for years for it. I could get my Dr. or therapist to give me a diagnosis of MDD with anxiety without issue...but can I really have the school make accomodations to handle my exam in math only differently? I'll make an appointment with the guidance counselor and see what we can work out. It's just so damned strange that it only occurs in math; I'm willing to bet it will occur in chemistry, as well, but that's a bridge too many to even think of tonight. Linz put it perfectly; I can work them backwards and forwards, in public and private, but as soon as it comes testing time, it's all chinese to me (which is rather funny, because my professor is Dr. Chen...). It's almost like I get lifted from one class and dropped into another...I sweat and shake and just can't form the right thoughts. I'll talk to the professor and see what she can do. We have a student tutor who is at every class and helps teach, as well as floats and helps anyone she can. She's really wonderful; comes early and stays late. I've got her telephone and email...and have used it already. It's not for lack of instruction, nor for lack of understanding. It's simply a significant case of performance anxiety. And yes, Kris, I have to take math. Hopefully I can squeak by this, and the other two classes I have to take...but I do have to take it. I know this will blow my GPA, but if I can pass, I'll be happy. Just wish me the best tomorrow evening... And thanks, all. It's good to know I'm not alone. Ciels Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

I do that...and as I said, I'm fine with all of those problems. The issue only comes when it is a quiz or test...then I just can't function. I'll try the skipping the problem idea, which I knew about but forgot (see? My brain doesn't work)...but that's hard when there are only two questions on a quiz... Sigh. I'm just going to have to dog it through...but I hope I pass. I really don't want to start my return-to-college as a failure...that would just suck. Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

I have a really bad case of performance anxiety. In high school, I was terrible at algebra - failed it twice, only got through it because of a tutor. I have never been solid at math - sure, the easy stuff like following a budget and balancing the checkbook and so on I am capable of. But throw me an algebraic equation and I get cross-eyed, stutter, and my toes curl. My brain literally stops thinking. In this last week, I've had two algebra classes. Did all the homework multiple times, read the book, took copious notes, understood everything. Even got up in class and solved an equation on the board (1 extra credit point earned each time...). I was helping *others* get some issues worked out on problems, too. I was feeling - if not good, at least capable of passing the first quiz. But I didn't. I failed the first quiz. Failed it. My stomach rolled, my head buzzed, and I nearly vomited when the quiz paper was handed to me and it counted now. There were two problems, and I got one (the *harder* one involving fractions) correct, but didn't get the other one even close. Fuck. Did *all* 7 bonus questions (we can do that if we want) on the board; all harder than the ones on the quiz. Did them all and got all the bonus points offered...which, combined with the 1 extra credit point earned earlier, means I got enough to actually "pass" the quiz. But bonus points aren't available on the tests. I'm beyond pissed at myself. I can do the work. I have been doing the work. I was helping OTHERS do the work. I could do the work on the bonus questions. I could do the work on the board. But no, when it counts, I clutch up and panic. I can feel the connections in my brain refusing to work. I can feel my brain trying to escape it's case. And it doesn't happen with any other subject. If I study, I do fine in every other damned class I've ever taken. But not Math. And not Algebra. I can't drop the class, not if I intend to get a degree. Actually, I'll need at least two more math classes to get a degree. So I can't drop it....and I don't want it to defeat me. But man oh man, I'm frustrated and already stressed. Because tomorrow, I have my first "real" test in algebra. 10 questions, no bonus points. If I don't do well tomorrow night, it's going to be very hard to bring my numbers back up to passing from just class participation and homework and quiz bonus points. I have a bad case of performance anxiety, and I don't know what to do about it. Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

Botellines, do you really think it's not a culture clash? If not, why not? Citing 1984 is not enough of a reason; I can name many books that have eventually seemed to play out, including Tom Clancy (he wrote of a plane flying into the Capitol Building during the State of the Union speech...didn't happen exactly like that, but did happen...) and many other authors. So if you don't believe it's really a culture clash, why not? I'm very interested in your reasoning. Personally, I do believe it's a culture - and indeed a religious - clash...and it's been a long, long time coming. Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

From Rebecca And from Micro: Thanks so much, you two. It's gonna be hard, but hey, it's gotta get done, and it's not forever. So I can stick it out and get it done... And yeah, it's pretty badass. 'Specially because I'm old and grey already, and gonna be older and greyer by the time this is over. They're going to make me dissect a cat in Anatomy (yes, I got in...cool professor, but tough). That's going to be one of the toughest things I ever do... Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

I went back to school after 22 years off...and have managed to impress at least one professor. Might not be badass to you all, but I'm pretty sure it's damned bad ass to me.

I was very happy indeed that women in Afghanistan were finally able to vote. Rights being restored (or installed for the first time) are always a cause for celebration. My issue, specifically in regards to this particular question, involves the right of women to worship according to their Holy Book's direction. In the SAE, women are no more than second class baby making citizens; because of that, and because the directive from the SAE government is considering preventing women from going on Haj - or at least preventing them from accomplishing Haj should they choose to go - is indeed a bother and a problem for me. However...and here's where the magic balancing act comes in...it is my view that a woman should be able to choose her religion. If that religion indeed says that women are subservient to men, but the choice is made freely and without coercion, then she has the right to follow that religion and it's doctrine to it's fullest extent. If a woman is forced, however, to follow a particular religion, and by default forced to follow the particular doctrine, that to me is not about choice at all, and the worship is less than honest and real. Finally, with the government of the SAE being Wah'habists, there is fundamentally no choice for a woman; she is "forced" to follow the religion, and because the government is a religious organization, her government can force her to do something. Choice, therefore, is obviated, and it's no longer about free will; rather, it's about doing something so you're not jailed, beat, stoned, or worse. To me, that is fundamentally wrong. Sorry if this isn't clear; it's before 6 am and I'm only awake because I've got class in an hour... Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

Nope - it's not because it's in the news recently. It's because I read; I know about Haj, Kaba and Mecca not from the nightly news but rather because I have done extensive reading throughout my life on various topics. Please don't think I've formed my opinion based on this one aspect of Islam...but it does cement it further. I don't quite understand what you're getting at. Even if it's simply a recommendation and not a mandate (which, as I understand it, is true), to prevent someone from worshipping according to even the recommendations in their holy book simply because they are women reeks of mysogyny and male power play. I don't see all muslims as the enemy. I see those who are responsible for killing thousands as the enemy. In this specific regard, however, yes, I do see it as "backward." It is, at the very least, an extraordinarily strong statement from the male leadership about their ability to deny a woman some basic rights and a basic freedom to follow their Holy Book. Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

If Haj is called for, and it's called for from both sexes, in the Q'ran, then preventing them from doing it prevents them from worshipping as their faith calls them to it. Regarding the catholic/christian/Orthodox jewish perspective, it isn't a fair (nor accurate) comparison. In no case are the women being prevented from practicing religion; rather, a more accurate comparison would be preventing the girls from B'at Mitzveh, or preventing communion...simply because of sex. Furthermore, it's apparently a government - not the religious leadership - that is doing the prevention. Granted, in SAE, the government is really not distinguishable from religious leadership, and they are indeed Wah'habists, which somewhat defeats the purpose of the point, but still, it's a point to be made. Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

Random point 1: I really don't care what n represents. Random point 2: Apparently, yes, we did need this stuff. Even if only to make it easier in college, we did need it. Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

To be not allowed to worship? No, that doesn't happen in "many" religions. Orthodox jews who are female are allowed to worship. So are Catholics, christians, and the various sects of such. Muslim women being prohibited from following their religion (i.e. not going to Mecca once in their lives) does indeed prevent them from practicing their religion to it's fullest extent (unless I've missed something. I'm no Islam scholar). It would be similar to Orthodox women being prevented from worshipping on high holy days; a catholic female being forbidden to take communion; a christian woman being disallowed from participating in services. The Islamic religion is pretty mysogynistic. Some other religions are, as well...but I see it far more prominently in the Islamic religion. To deny 1/2 the population the right to worship according to their holy book's direction is simply another way to assert the male power play, and is a sad, sad thing to see. Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

Max, you continue to inspire me, and your accomplishments mount. Welcome home, my friend. Welcome home. Ciels and hugs- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

Calling the Whaaaaaaaaaaaaaammmmmmbulance for twoply... Got caught stealing, and is now whining about it. Doesn't want to listen to his woman talk about things, either. You get no sympathy from me. Just wondering, if you'd care to explain, how you can "borrow" cable. How did you intend on returning it? You got caught stealing. As a professor I have said during the opening lecture, "you get caught? Suck it up, cupcake." Whaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa. Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

Best advice that can be given: Check With Your VET! If you don't have a regular vet, call the local clinic and see what they have to say. Some areas have a rather large problem with rabies; you don't necessarily know that unless/until you check with your vet. Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

Are you kidding me? My cats love it when I'm not home. I'm always scooping them up, lovin' on them, rubbing bellies and tugging ears, kissing them, playing with them when I'm home. They get a break when I'm not here! LOL, I'm the intruder/housekeeper. Besides, there are 6 of them, and they play well together (for the most part...). My guys wouldn't give this a second glance... OTOH, a single cat might find this useful. Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~