Shooting Pointy Things

Today I went to send pointy things through the air to hit not pointy things. I took Younger Kiddo and friends, Work Friend, his wife who is also and henceforth to be known as Adventure Friend, and their kiddo with me. Well… I didn’t “take” them, they came too since it was free and on campus.

Also, the QTC scheduler set my appointment for the Monday of Spring Break. Magically their computer found 2 providers in my area... go fig.

That thing arrived

Me: That thing arrived, what do you want me to do with it?

Sister: So, here is the thing. I was trying to surprise you with a genetics kit, but I was price shopping the tests and such, but this company charged me and I didn't realize it until after it happened.  I am working on getting a refund because I don't think the hidden fees making the total $200 per kit is fair.  I want I think instead to get the 23 and Me kit from Walmart or something. They are supposed to send me return/refund information, but the lady is going to let me know if the kits need to be returned or not, or if they can just refund and disable the kit numbers.

Me: Put it in a safe place until I know what to do with it?

Sister: (about an hour later) So, I have a choice for you.  I already paid for the kits (thank you tax return) and I have the email n how to return the kits, but I think you would have to pay the return shipping... which is bullshit.  If you would rather open your kit, do the spit sample, and send it???

Me: You bought it, your call.

Sister: Do it.

I did it… now we wait and see...

Also, this happened today:

Our university president at a meeting this morning said that students and employees who are not feeling well and are exhibiting signs and symptoms of illness are advised to stay home and faculty are asked to not hold this against anyone for attendance purposes. You do not need a doctor's note, but you do need to contact your instructor/employer and let them know and you are responsible for making up missed work.

Have you been watching the news about this coronavirus thing? I get a daily email from the NY Times, their map is kinda scary. I wouldn’t wanna be overseas right now, that’s for sure.

FML. OMG. WTF.

FML. 
My part-time job is working for a church and I completely forgot that it is Ash Wednesday and didn't make the bulletins. I guess it's a good thing that they are forgiving people. Thankfully, they were actually really cool about it.

OMG.
We got the tax return and being able to pay all of our overdue bills was a huge weight off.

WTF. 
Sister: If you get a genetic company box this week don't open it.  They screwed up, I need to return it. I was price shopping and they charged me for it. They sent it even after I canceled it.

I'm gonna take a selfie with the Bronze Fonz

Slower day at work so I decided to look on Google maps at the hotel I'm staying at for the conference. It's right near the riverwalk in Milwaukee and has a nearby Starbucks, muahahahahaha. I'm gonna take a selfie with the Bronze Fonz... apparently, that's a thing on the riverwalk.

I was ready to shank people

I called to get my VA claim eval appointment rescheduled from when it was canceled on Jan 29 since it’s been a hot minute and I haven’t heard anything. It turns out that the VA Hospital near me no longer has a provider that can do that evaluation. They farmed it out to QTC, a scheduling company, 2 weeks ago. I got their number from the VA and called them.

The rep on the phone was nice enough but kept saying there is no provider available for that exam within 500 miles of where I live and that's why they haven't scheduled me yet. That is fucking bullshit. I am not ashamed to admit I cried on the phone, at work, and didn't give a shit who saw. I was ready to shank people. My anxiety was so high.

And then one of the faculty who doesn’t even work in my department needed help with something. She came around behind my desk to look over my shoulder. That right there is a big-time discomfort for me, borderline triggering on its own, but in the mental state I was in, it was all I could do to keep from smacking her.

To make it worse, her colleague was standing at the open end of the U shape made by my desk, the wall behind me, and the extended part of my desk/counter, essentially blocking me from being able to leave. Now, I know they would not actually block me or harm me, but that is now when I am thinking rationally and no longer triggered. At that moment though…

Thankfully, one of my coworkers who knows my history came in and saw the scene. He gave me a look. One that said “you know where to find me,” and left my office. I finished what those other two needed as fast as I could and booked it to his office. Good friends are very helpful when you need to come down from a panic attack.

Doing nothing productive

A whole weekend of doing nothing productive. It was glorious.

Saturday - Played Minecraft with younger kiddo and registered for the conference for the regional 3MT

Sunday - Bought new food for the 🐢 🐢 and they like it!

We have a pair of juvenile (1.5 yr old) sulcatas, George and Tortellini. My goal is to eventually build them a nice habitat in the backyard because they are growing super fast. I just need to get the finances together.

Totes me on Saturday

Gonna be epic

Sister J: Booked my flight, May 8th-May11th

Me: Yaaassss... J Sunday!!!!

Sister J: a whole day of let's see how much trouble we can get into… that or we just go to the zoo



Our niece’s graduation is gonna be epic!

Need Info? Just Ask!

Last week at the meeting for our university’s LGBTQ student organization, the coordinator for our campus’ Green Dot program came to observe and learn about our community. Afterward, he asked if we could meet to discuss ways he could make what he does more inclusive.

This is how it starts! You seek out someone who maybe knows more about a thing and just ask if they wouldn’t mind having a chat.

Today I met with him and we had a very nice conversation. We discussed what the program is already doing to be more inclusive and also came up with some changes and suggestions for improvement. I love that my research is starting to have small impacts on campus. Every little bit helps make our campus more inclusive and therefore a better, safer place for all of our students.

Oh... yeah... and yesterday I said to hell with my lactose intolerance and had a Shamrock Shake... mmmm... minty...

Sometimes life rocks

I have so many rocks from so many places I have never been because they were given to me by my offspring. Not just as children, they still do it...

Older kiddo brought me rocks from the beach in Spain when he was there on a layover while in the military. He also brought me rocks from Bahrain, which is where he was stationed. I have rocks in jars from when they were young.

I even have a rock on my desk at work that has a heart on it that was naturally put there. My kiddo found it that way and brought it to me. It has since been given a name that is written on the sticky note on which it sits.

Today younger kiddo brought me a new rock!

He survives another day…

02/15/20 Watched TV and played games
02/16/20 Got my 3MT PPT revised and I love it.

Someone in my family thinks they are clever. I had a box of 4 danishes, of which I had eaten 2. This morning, that box had 3 in it and was backward on the spot where I had put them. Someone clearly ate the other two and then went and got more hoping I wouldn't notice, lmao.

The best part is I know exactly who it was, just waiting for him to fess up. Younger kiddo spent the night somewhere else and doesn't drive. The niece is at her boyfriend’s and has the flu. Bigger kiddo would have left a sticky note apologizing for eating them. That leaves ONE person (hubs).

He fessed up, btw, LMAO. He not only replaced the eaten danishes but added an extra box, he survives another day…

Lessons from my kiddo

02/12/20 Booked flight to Milwaukee
02/13/20 Feeling strong after putting away groceries by myself.


Younger kiddo was in human prehistory class (anthropology major) and was telling me about how women's periods don't actually sync up. Apparently, it's a myth based on a study done in the 60s that no one has been able to replicate. What actually happens is that women in collective groups who are going through the same stressors and eating the same or similar food will biologically respond to those stressors. That response results in changes in menstrual cycles which then just appear to be in sync.

I love when I learn new things from my kids!

Winner, Winner, Chicken Dinner!!

Winner, Winner, Chicken Dinner!!

I WON the 3MT!

Now I get to go represent my university in Milwaukee in April at the regional 3MT. I especially love that that means all of those people have to listen to me talk about the importance of faculty use of gender-inclusive practices.

My sister asked me for a one-sentence summary of my thesis.

Faculty are expected to be inclusive and aren't being taught how to do this but once made aware of the implications and best practices, adapt willingly and, in most cases, immediately.

Lunch with my kiddo

I actually took my lunch break today. I have a tendency to not do that. I went to the library with younger kiddo and had a bagel, then walked my kiddo to class and stopped by the Registrar and picked up my diploma. Then I went to the student union to go to the bank to get grocery money. Then I played lots of Harry Potter before returning to my office.

My leg is screaming but it felt good to get up and walk around.

Dancing under the Moon

Lunch Date

I finally got around to using the gift certificate that I had for a local cafe. Everyone raves about this place, but I have to admit, it's not my favorite place. They use pesto or nuts in a lot of their dishes, so I’m allergic to like 75% of the menu. It was still a nice chance to get out and have a date with the hubs.

All the goats

GET THIS SHIT!!!! I just had a faculty member ask me how they should respond to a GRAD student who is complaining that a THREE-page paper is too much for GRAD work. LMFAO.

After I responded with "LMAO" I told them to send an email to the program coordinator and copy the chair to provide a definitive response from the program. It makes me wonder how that person ever got through undergrad. My work baby overheard the conversation and was practically rolling.

Also, a word from my sister:
“When I retire and come out there to make your life miserable, you know, I'm going to fucking buy all the goats from the Ag Department of your local high school.”

She was drinking… I fixed her spelling so you can read it...

Fascinating conversation

I received the email, I am officially in the finals for the 3MT competition!!

Also, I had a fascinating conversation with one of my work babies about the cultural significance of hair. It was so neat to get her perspective on it since we have such different cultural backgrounds. I love being able to learn from the students with whom I work.

Riled up at work

So, I work for a university, in case you couldn’t figure that out. From time to time I will use this blog to kvetch about things that rile me up and/or set me off. I will always do my best to protect the identities of those involved but if you think a post is about you, perhaps you should ask yourself why. Today’s post is an example of this.

A faculty member wants to use the conference room. Doesn't ask "is it available?" just says "I need this today at this time" (note the lack of forewarning, one of my triggers is last-minute changes, btw). Well, the conference room is booked for that time and has been for weeks, but of course, they don't bother to check that shit. So then the faculty member wants to use one of the offices up near me to meet with a student. I explain that said office has no chairs and offer a workable alternative and the faculty member is pretty much demanding that I be sure it's set up for said meeting. Um... excuse me... moving crew is not in my job description and goes against my disability accommodations. I mean, I get it, some students are scary but damn, maybe set up the meeting with me BEFORE you set it up with the student to be sure the space you want is available.

*deep breath*

Find something positive.

Still managed to get things done despite a craptastic start to the day.

I blew that sucker out of the water

3MT competition preliminary round was this morning.

I blew that sucker out of the water.

The final round is on the 11th, so I'm letting my brain rest for now on that.

Congrats Chiefs!!

Saturday I bought myself a new shirt for the 3MT competition. This is big, I don’t usually like to buy clothes, let alone for myself, so it was a little nerve-wracking. I feel like I earned this though.

Also, on Sunday, younger kiddo watched the Super Bowl with me and got into the game! They asked all kinds of questions about the game and it was neat to be able to share what limited football info I know.

Congrats Chiefs!!