The More Things Change

from JoeUser Forums

I’m done.

Finished.

Finito.

Two years and gobs of learning later, I now have an MPA beside my name.  But I don’t want to talk about graduate studies, or graduate degrees.  It consumed the last two years of my life and frankly, that is enough.

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I love Facebook.  Love it.  It allows re-connection with old friends, nurturing new ones, and feels like I am still part of good, but distant friends’, present. 

It is the shiny side of a new penny in the dirt, all bronze and glittering.

And damn it.  Reduced my writing to one-liners.  Simple status updates that say so much, and yet nothing at all.

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A lump.

I wonder.  Did those two words have such an echo of foreboding twenty-five years ago? 

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Boycotts.  Once in a great while they can be useful.  Like when I boycott chocolate in early spring to make sure my ass fits in a bathing suit over the summer.  Or when I boycott cussing.  Ok, that one rarely works.  Lets be honest. 

Some people are power-boycotters.  They boycott businesses, people, and in some instances even thoughts, in an effort to punish or correct a condition they believe the business, person or thought caused. 

I’ll boycott BP when I stop using oil.  Until then it seems a bit, well, hypocritical.

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I am making plans.  Big plans.  They involve copious amounts of soil, numerous plants,trees, and a napkin blueprint.  But first, a retirement party.

See?

 

The More Things Stay the Same…..

5,410 views 17 replies
Reply #1 from JoeUser Forums Top

Yea, the more you are digging in the dirt!

I have not gotten any degrees (but they do not amount to much in my line of work), but a couple of certifications.  I can attach CCNP and CCNA-security to my name.  I am working on the CCSP now.

And while you are planting trees, I am trimming them.  We have enough trees (and if we did not, my wife's new Pomegranate one is enough for me!).

Good to see you posting.  I never got into Facebook, and after the latest revelations (from Leo Notenboom), I think I will just pass on Facebook.

Reply #2 from JoeUser Forums Top

Actually Doc, I graduated with an IT guy.  He's the head IT guy for a local city...and stays pretty busy.  I think the MPA gets him in higher paying brackets when local/federal gov goes private sector (specifically companies that handle gov. IT needs through outsourcing).

I'm not sure about the Leo reference to FB, but a lot of JUers are there, and we're all connected...I love it.

I'm trying to re-train my brain to write fiction or anything that is not academic bureaucracy, and it is like starting all over.  Ugh.

 

 

Siege of Centauri
Reply #3 from JoeUser Forums Top

I'm not sure about the Leo reference to FB, but a lot of JUers are there, and we're all connected...I love it.
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He is a radio tech guy and his revelations of the the exposure of your personal information on facebook is making a lot of waves.  You can find him at ask-leo.com.  I know in concept Facebook is a neat idea.  But I do not care to have my private information blasted to every ID thief in the world.

I'm trying to re-train my brain to write fiction or anything that is not academic bureaucracy, and it is like starting all over. Ugh.
End of quote

IN that I wish you the best of luck!  I sure have missed your fiction!

Reply #4 from JoeUser Forums Top

IN that I wish you the best of luck! I sure have missed your fiction!
End of quote

Thanks. 

He is a radio tech guy and his revelations of the the exposure of your personal information on facebook is making a lot of waves. You can find him at ask-leo.com. I know in concept Facebook is a neat idea. But I do not care to have my private information blasted to every ID thief in the world.
End of quote

Hmmmm...I'll have to check him out because the only things that can really be broadcasted are things the user (you) put up in the first place.  And most people understand its like a public park, you don't air your dirty laundry or anything you want private.

I have a family member who had the same concerns tho.  She joined under a false name, and then told only a few family members so we could add her. 

 

Reply #5 from JoeUser Forums Top

Hey Doc.  I checked asl-leo.com, but I'm not finding anything negative about FB...he seems to like it and defend it....do you have a link to the article?  I'd like to read it.

Thanks!

Reply #6 from JoeUser Forums Top

I was listening to his radio show, so it may be on his podcasts.  But he was concerned enough that he took his account down and found out how to do it.  Here's is one on deleting your account.

The whole uproar started when the CEO of Facebook said that no one on the site has any expectation of privacy, no matter how they mark their information. Here's is one of the Facebook CEO doing a fast backtrack.

Leo is not a facebook hater.  He had a couple of accounts there (he closed his most personal one) and thinks the concept is great.  He is just not real happy with CEO and the corporate culture at Facebook.

You are correct, in that they cannot reveal what you do not put in there.  So I chose not to put in there at all.  You know who I am, but then most do not know who I am and I want to keep it that way.  Do you have a landline?  If so, go to bing and enter your phone number in an XXX-XXX-XXXX format.  Scary.  And that was without me giving anyone that information (the phone company has it of course).

Reply #7 from JoeUser Forums Top

Do you have a landline? If so, go to bing and enter your phone number in an XXX-XXX-XXXX format. Scary. And that was without me giving anyone that information (the phone company has it of course).
End of quote

Yes, I discovered this some time back.  But then my phone # is listed so it was already out there. 

I wonder if one day we'll say..."Remember back in the FB days?  We were all so innocent then..." lol

Reply #8 from JoeUser Forums Top

I wonder if one day we'll say..."Remember back in the FB days? We were all so innocent then..." lol
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I just had a great idea for a new invention.  It is called wireless Television and you do not need cables to get it! ;)

Reply #9 from JoeUser Forums Top

It is called wireless Television and you do not need cables to get it
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I think it is barbaric that we still get electricity through wires....seems to me it should be wireless too...like have a electrical like satellite on your roof, and have it shot full of enough electric to run your house everyday...like a lightening strike, but more guided missle right into your electric storer/satellite thingy....

What?

Can you hear the electric company.....

"If you did not receive your electric bolt today, press 1"

"If your electric bolt arrived, but missed the receiver and your roof is on fire...press 2"

8(|  

Reply #10 from JoeUser Forums Top

Can you hear the electric company.....

"If you did not receive your electric bolt today, press 1"

"If your electric bolt arrived, but missed the receiver and your roof is on fire...press 2"
End of quote

:grin:

You know I would be very afraid to press 1.  I would be afraid that they would be too efficient and deliver it right then and there! :grin:

Reply #11 from Stardock Forums Top

Congratulations on finishing your degree.  What a sense of accomplishment that must be. 

What lump?  Say it isn't so...

Do get back to posting here, FB just makes one lazy and we needs to hear from you.

Reply #12 from JoeUser Forums Top

Do get back to posting here, FB just makes one lazy and we needs to hear from you.
End of quote

I agree....and hope to get back to it...but summer is calling......

What lump?
End of quote

Biopsy tomorrow.

 

Reply #13 from JoeUser Forums Top

Biopsy tomorrow.

End of quote

Good luck.

Reply #14 from JoeUser Forums Top

You should have heard by now...???

Reply #15 from JoeUser Forums Top

You should have heard by now...???
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Not with the military.  Heh.

There was a scheduling snafu, surgery didn't talk to ultra-sound or something like that, so they had to re-schedule until the end of July.  (Which is not that big a deal I guess since they were going to make me wait until the end of July for the results anyway.  Only a surgeon is "permitted" to give the results, and all but two are deployed.  The end of the month is the soonest they can meet with me.)

So biopsy at the end of the month and results a week later.

I'm impressed you remembered BFD.  Thanks.

Reply #16 from JoeUser Forums Top

Tova, yes I am in FB mode and was looking for the button to LIKE your post...lol.

I hope all is well with you physically.  I had to have a biopsy at one point and was all freaked out. The doctor said it's probably nothing we just have to make sure it's nothing which made me feel better in the meantime and luckily it was nothing.  I hate that you have to wait so long though.  Here's a healing affirmation for you.  I do believe in the power of prayer.  Write it on your mirror in dry erase marker and say it every day. 

The power of God sustains and blesses me with perfect health.

xox

Reply #17 from JoeUser Forums Top

 

I do believe in the power of prayer
End of quote

I do too Loca.  But I also believe whether it is benign or cancer has little bearing on God's ability to heal or my status in His sight.  In short, rain falls on the just and the unjust, or shit happens.  Even too (and maybe sometimes, especially for) believers. 

I'm good with that.

The doctor said it's probably nothing we just have to make sure it's nothing which made me feel better in the meantime and luckily it was nothing.
End of quote

My Dr isn't so optimistic.  There are other things going on besides just a lump.  But I have always refused to borrow tomorrow's worries today.  Heh.  It is what it is....or isn't.  Meanwhile life goes on. 

:)