From May 29th to July 2nd, I'll be taking College Algebra (MAT 151) and from July 9th until August 12 I'll be taking Macroeconomic Principles (ECN 202). All of these are at Pima Community College--Downtown Campus.
If I've never said this before, let me say this: I am not good at math. For as long as I can remember, at best I've been mediocre. So, with that being said, I'm not very optimistic towards my possible College Algebra grades (if I manage to get a C in it, I'll have to remind myself to thank God as hard as I can). As for Economics, I'm feeling slightly more confident about it--the thing about that is that I'm taking it instead of ECON 200 at the U of A (I've already taken ECN 201 back in summer of 2010, and I got a pretty decent final grade on it), as ECN 201 and 202 satisfies the ECON 200.
I'll see about writing another post sometime this month. To be honest, there really hasn't been a whole lot going on this month--Steve, a friend of mine, graduated from Pima College (he got his Certificate in HVAC--Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning) and, of course, spring semester is over. Rosethorn, the story I've been working on... I'll be honest and say that I'm looking for some motivation to do it/an audience to read it. I have all these random ideas about it that are either written down or floating in my mind, I know I've only posted one chapter (and then there's the link for the ideas that I've written down in Rosethorn Ideas and Notes), and I really want this to be more than an idea I had that went nowhere. I might take a break from it, focus on working on a script or two, and write about the things I originally planned for this blog to be about. Besides, I have no deadlines when it comes to this.
Tuesday, May 22, 2012
Tuesday, May 15, 2012
An article by Gustavo Arellano
There is nothing remotely Mexican about Potato Olés—not even the quasi-Spanish name, which has a distinctly Castilian accent. The burrito was more insulting to me and my heritage than casting Charlton Heston as the swarthy Mexican hero in Touch of Evil. But it was intriguing enough to take back to my hotel room for a taste. There, as I experienced all of the concoction’s gooey, filling glory while chilly rain fell outside, it struck me: Mexican food has become a better culinary metaphor for America than the melting pot.
Taco USA: How Mexican food become more American than apple pie
Friday, May 11, 2012
Trayvon Martin Gun Range Target
Link
"My main motivation was to make money off the controversy," said the seller of a gun range target designed to resemble murdered Florida teen Trayvon Martin in an email to Local 6 reporter Mike DeForest.Seriously, Humanity, have we no shame? First George Zimmerman, the coward that he is, attacks an unarmed teen for no good reason, nearly gets away with murder, stirs up a beehive of racial controversy... And now this? This seller (who remains anonymous, likely for his own protection) didn't even try to mask it:
He could've just left it without the Skittles and can of iced tea, and anyone who objected would've been claimed to be blowing things out of proportion. I mean, just doing that surely wouldn't have been controversial to most people. He could've just made a target that didn't add unneeded fuel to the fire. But no: instead of making a positive contribution to all this, he goes ahead and makes something just to "make money off the controversy". According to the second link, "Before DeForest identified himself as a reporter, the seller claimed that targets were still available for purchase. After being informed Local 6 was investigating his online business, the seller claimed the targets would no longer be sold." Not that I'm the bravest person on the internet--I'll admit to being afraid to discuss certain subjects, and sometimes withdrawing from my statements when the going gets tough--but I'd have to agree with the idea that what he, the person selling these targets, did was cowardly.
Tuesday, May 1, 2012
Sunday, April 22, 2012
A semester almost finished, and a breakthrough at my church
(Apologies if this blog comes off as too vague--it's about as detailed as I can get right now. I'll try to fix it later. Also, I'll try to pick up the pace with regards to posting new stuff.)
I really do wonder where the time went. It feels that, not too long ago, I had just taken my first class at the U of A. I mean, of course, it's not like I'm going to graduate this year--I still have a few more semesters to go until I'm done. But, really, this didn't feel that slow.
I'd have to say that both my classes were interesting. In Public Policy and Administration, which deals with how government runs and functions, it was cool to be able to learn more about all that. Urban Growth and Development--a prerequisite for my Regional Development minor--basically talks about how cities grow and develop, challenges facing it, and (sort of) their future. A pretty fun class, and I'm feeling more confident about being a Regional Development minor because of it.
Now, about that breakthrough at church. Every Wednesday night for about 8 weeks (upcoming Wednesday will be Week 7), I've had this class called "Walking in the Power of the Holy Spirit", which is part of what our church calls Rock Solid/Roca Solida (this book, The Walk of the Spirit--The Walk of Power, is what we've been using). Now, the book is basically about praying in tongues, why it's not only a good thing but vital, and the benefits of doing it. If I've never said this before, I promise you that I'm not some religious nutcase--I was just interested in praying in tongues, as I wasn't very familiar with it and wanted to know more. If I have said that before, then I guess it bears repeating. Anyhow, last Wednesday, I got it. Beforehand, I felt I just simply couldn't, or it was barely coming out (put too much thought into it or something). That night, however, I just thought, "Let it flow--don't think too much on it, just do it." And it worked--well, at least as far as I'm concerned.
I really do wonder where the time went. It feels that, not too long ago, I had just taken my first class at the U of A. I mean, of course, it's not like I'm going to graduate this year--I still have a few more semesters to go until I'm done. But, really, this didn't feel that slow.
I'd have to say that both my classes were interesting. In Public Policy and Administration, which deals with how government runs and functions, it was cool to be able to learn more about all that. Urban Growth and Development--a prerequisite for my Regional Development minor--basically talks about how cities grow and develop, challenges facing it, and (sort of) their future. A pretty fun class, and I'm feeling more confident about being a Regional Development minor because of it.
Now, about that breakthrough at church. Every Wednesday night for about 8 weeks (upcoming Wednesday will be Week 7), I've had this class called "Walking in the Power of the Holy Spirit", which is part of what our church calls Rock Solid/Roca Solida (this book, The Walk of the Spirit--The Walk of Power, is what we've been using). Now, the book is basically about praying in tongues, why it's not only a good thing but vital, and the benefits of doing it. If I've never said this before, I promise you that I'm not some religious nutcase--I was just interested in praying in tongues, as I wasn't very familiar with it and wanted to know more. If I have said that before, then I guess it bears repeating. Anyhow, last Wednesday, I got it. Beforehand, I felt I just simply couldn't, or it was barely coming out (put too much thought into it or something). That night, however, I just thought, "Let it flow--don't think too much on it, just do it." And it worked--well, at least as far as I'm concerned.
Thursday, April 12, 2012
Dream Journal--April 5-12
April 5:
I actually had two dreams, but of those the second manages to stick out in my mind the most. I was in this very bright area, almost seemed like pure light, when to the right of me at my feet was this person--I keep thinking it was a woman, but I can't say for sure. She seemed to be radiating darkness, and my first instincts were to pray over her. I call them instincts because I don't remember consciously doing so--it seemed to come naturally. As I began to pray, and I note that I'm not even sure what language I'm doing this in, out of the corner of my "eye", I sensed something (first sensed, then viewed). As I look, the person who was possessed tried to attack me. Almost instantly, the dream goes away, and I'm left with me trying to make sense of it all.
April 12:
At this point, as I write this, a lot of the details about it are becoming fuzzier. I remember the first 2/3 as being pretty exciting, but for the life of me I can't even describe it at all. So, I'll have to work with what I have:
I'm on the bus--my usual mode of transportation--, or a streetcar, and we're in an area that's similar to Downtown Tucson/area around the University, but greener and more open. This was actually a transition moment from my previous dream bit to this, but still fun. Anyhow, eventually, there's this guy who... I guess in the dream, I'm thinking he's attacking a woman, but I can't really remember anymore. So, I chase him down and get him down into this building (reminds me of a blend between storage room, metal shop, and a random building downtown). I end up shoving his head twice into a wall I found when I turned right from going in the room. I'm not sure what happened, but he ends up collapsing. Some of my "friends" (people I seem to know in the dream) show up... And I can't really remember the end.
About the April 5 dream: I've certainly had weird dreams before--my mind seems to specialise in those, to my amusement. I just don't remember ever having any "God-dreams". The class I'm taking at church, and the book our class is reading, deals with the Holy Spirit and praying in tongues--no, we're not weirdos, just usually spirit-filled oddballs to some extent--so that might've had something to do with it. I'll be happy to have a dream like that again.
About the April 12 dream: I don't know if I've already said this, but I'm taking a class called Urban Growth and Development. Part of it involves public transportation--buses and streetcars--and how cities are designed--one of the more popular ideas are that they should be more greener and open, more of connected neighbourhoods than broken-apart housing areas with not much sense of belonging, and revitalised downtowns. Our downtown, as of late, is going through that improvement. I'm sure that those factors played into this.
I actually had two dreams, but of those the second manages to stick out in my mind the most. I was in this very bright area, almost seemed like pure light, when to the right of me at my feet was this person--I keep thinking it was a woman, but I can't say for sure. She seemed to be radiating darkness, and my first instincts were to pray over her. I call them instincts because I don't remember consciously doing so--it seemed to come naturally. As I began to pray, and I note that I'm not even sure what language I'm doing this in, out of the corner of my "eye", I sensed something (first sensed, then viewed). As I look, the person who was possessed tried to attack me. Almost instantly, the dream goes away, and I'm left with me trying to make sense of it all.
April 12:
At this point, as I write this, a lot of the details about it are becoming fuzzier. I remember the first 2/3 as being pretty exciting, but for the life of me I can't even describe it at all. So, I'll have to work with what I have:
I'm on the bus--my usual mode of transportation--, or a streetcar, and we're in an area that's similar to Downtown Tucson/area around the University, but greener and more open. This was actually a transition moment from my previous dream bit to this, but still fun. Anyhow, eventually, there's this guy who... I guess in the dream, I'm thinking he's attacking a woman, but I can't really remember anymore. So, I chase him down and get him down into this building (reminds me of a blend between storage room, metal shop, and a random building downtown). I end up shoving his head twice into a wall I found when I turned right from going in the room. I'm not sure what happened, but he ends up collapsing. Some of my "friends" (people I seem to know in the dream) show up... And I can't really remember the end.
About the April 5 dream: I've certainly had weird dreams before--my mind seems to specialise in those, to my amusement. I just don't remember ever having any "God-dreams". The class I'm taking at church, and the book our class is reading, deals with the Holy Spirit and praying in tongues--no, we're not weirdos, just usually spirit-filled oddballs to some extent--so that might've had something to do with it. I'll be happy to have a dream like that again.
About the April 12 dream: I don't know if I've already said this, but I'm taking a class called Urban Growth and Development. Part of it involves public transportation--buses and streetcars--and how cities are designed--one of the more popular ideas are that they should be more greener and open, more of connected neighbourhoods than broken-apart housing areas with not much sense of belonging, and revitalised downtowns. Our downtown, as of late, is going through that improvement. I'm sure that those factors played into this.
Fake trailer for a non-existent Harry Potter-based TV show: The Aurors.
Monday, April 2, 2012
Facebook Timeline and something I'm working on
For those reading this--I'm assuming that, thus far, most if not all of my readers are my Facebook friends--you're probably aware of the new(ish) Facebook timeline. I was actually hoping to hold out on it until I made my final decision as to whether to accept it or not, but Facebook made the choice for me. To be honest, it felt a little odd--having a visual record of all of my posts and other stuff that I've made since I got on there. I've been looking over it, reminiscing somewhat, and pruning the more spammy bits off of it. And I think I can live with this.
The story centres on the character Alexander Rosethorn, a reasonably good (with all things considered) Slytherin, and his journey through Hogwarts and life, along with the rest of his friends. He's a contemporary of Harry and his friends, so out of wanting to match things up with the books I was planning on making each part correspond with each book. Which I'm sure I'll end up undoing, but it's what I've decided on doing right now. So, I see Parts 1 and 2 being the ones where the characters are established and fleshed out, though I'm not sure yet what to do about Parts 3 and 4. Part 5 is when things get interesting.
I'm also posting this because I'd really appreciate it if you read it, commented, and maybe throw out some (hopefully positive) suggestions about it--I'm basically looking for a beta reader (or readers) to go over it. I'll be honest and admit that while I'm decent enough with coming up with ideas, the whole getting-it-off-the-ground bit is a completely different matter. When I said that I wasn't completely seriously working on it, I'm either not sure what to write or just can't be bothered to do so--having someone to prod me into developing more of it will be very helpful. That, along with the fact that I haven't read the books in quite a while (I basically stopped at Goblet of Fire), haven't seen any of the movies after GoF, and I'm just trying to learn what I can off of the internet on occasion. There's a couple of other things that are nagging me about this, but it's not really worth going into.
(For Yani/someone whose English isn't perfect/someone who's just confused: if anything I've written doesn't make any sense, just ask. I was writing this partly under the assumption that my readers knew what I was talking about, but I have to remind myself of these things.)
- It was odd reading the status updates that really had no context behind them. I mean, normally, I can look on there, find a random update, and understand why I did that. And then I find one that makes me go, "...huh?"
- I'll have to go through more of these updates and such, but I enjoyed finding those past updates that either meant a lot to me back then for different reasons or became something greater. Even if I know it means next to nothing to anyone else that doesn't get it.
The story centres on the character Alexander Rosethorn, a reasonably good (with all things considered) Slytherin, and his journey through Hogwarts and life, along with the rest of his friends. He's a contemporary of Harry and his friends, so out of wanting to match things up with the books I was planning on making each part correspond with each book. Which I'm sure I'll end up undoing, but it's what I've decided on doing right now. So, I see Parts 1 and 2 being the ones where the characters are established and fleshed out, though I'm not sure yet what to do about Parts 3 and 4. Part 5 is when things get interesting.
I'm also posting this because I'd really appreciate it if you read it, commented, and maybe throw out some (hopefully positive) suggestions about it--I'm basically looking for a beta reader (or readers) to go over it. I'll be honest and admit that while I'm decent enough with coming up with ideas, the whole getting-it-off-the-ground bit is a completely different matter. When I said that I wasn't completely seriously working on it, I'm either not sure what to write or just can't be bothered to do so--having someone to prod me into developing more of it will be very helpful. That, along with the fact that I haven't read the books in quite a while (I basically stopped at Goblet of Fire), haven't seen any of the movies after GoF, and I'm just trying to learn what I can off of the internet on occasion. There's a couple of other things that are nagging me about this, but it's not really worth going into.
(For Yani/someone whose English isn't perfect/someone who's just confused: if anything I've written doesn't make any sense, just ask. I was writing this partly under the assumption that my readers knew what I was talking about, but I have to remind myself of these things.)
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