I'm a Considerate-Realist...

What's up & Harry Potter VII

Well, I've been in Ithaca about a month now and things are going really well.

I'm starting to get more settled in the area and getting a better idea of where stuff is and how to get there.

I'm getting to know more people on campus, but I still can't wait until the students get back next month...that'll be when my job really gets going.

My boss asked me today about the transition from being a full-time student into (well, in my case, back into) the working world. I guess the biggest transition for me has been getting used to a new schedule. Right now, my schedule is fairly set, but will probably be more fluid when the students get back. As a student, my schedule was very fluid. Things changed from day to day and week to week. I mean, classes and my work schedule was pretty set at the beginning of each summer. But, the workload and what I needed to do would change from week to week based on what assignments were due or coming up. Also, the readings always cause things to be different all the time. Right now, at least, I'm pretty much working 9-5...it's kinda weird for me because I haven't had a 9-5 job since 1994 when I worked for a law firm back in Florida. But, I'm enjoying myself and life should be enjoyable.

About the most exciting thing lately for me, though, was the release of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows! I was talked into going to the release party at the local Barnes & Noble and had a pretty good time. I'm glad I went...I'd of just been sitting at home by myself if I hadn't gone and I got to see some VERY interesting people.

WARNING

SPOILER ALERT!

So, I managed to get the book at midnight on Saturday morning (or Friday night, depending on how you look at it) and I had finished all 759 pages by Sunday morning at 3:40! It was really, really good!

It pretty much answered most of the questions I had up to this point. So what were my favorite parts? Well, in no particular order...

• learning about the memorial in place at Godric's Hollow (where Harry was born and lived, in spite of you know who!)


• the epilogue...I loved getting to see how the three heroes were doing in future years, though I'd have loved to learn more about their careers, who was teaching at Hogwarts...stuff like that


• the Battle of Hogwarts...I CAN NOT WAIT to see this played out on screen in the movie!!


• Even though it was really sad (I teard up...there I admitted it) one of the most touching parts was when Dobby died...followed by the death of Fred

And my absolute favorite...

• "NOT MY DAUGHTER, YOU BITCH!" (p 736, US version) Mrs. Weasley to Bellatrix Lestrange during the Battle of Hogwarts! Oh yeah, baby!

All in all, it was awesome and a fine, fine end...worthy of the series.

Thanks Be to God and Long Live Harry!

The sorting hat says that I belong in Hufflepuff!

Said Hufflepuff, "I'll teach the lot, and treat them just the same."

Hufflepuff students are friendly, fair-minded, modest, and hard-working. A well-known member was Cedric Digory, who represented Hogwarts in the most recent Triwizard Tournament.

Take the most scientific Harry Potter
Quiz ever created.

Get Sorted Now!


I scored: 83 Hufflepuff, 73 Ravenclaw, 61 Gryffindor, 47 Slytherin

iPod Shuffle of the week...

1. News Items. Larry the Cable Guy
2. Chattahoochee. Alan Jackson
3. Shilo. Neil Diamond
4. Tessie. Dropkick Murphys
5. Don't Worry. Rebecca St. James
6. I Can't Dance. Genesis
7. Aish Tamid. Matisyahu
8. Uneasy Rider. Charlie Daniels
9. Take You Back. Jeremy Camp
10. Bankshot. Operation Ivy

The rules, for bloggers who want to play:
Get your iPod or media-player of choice set the thing to shuffle, then post the first ten songs that come out. No cheating, no matter how stupid it makes you feel!

Thanks Be to God and Boomer Sooner!

I miss Oklahoma...

Yes, there are times when I miss Oklahoma soooo much! While I was living there, I never thought I'd miss the place so much. I'm not a real fan of the climate or the geography, as varied as it is, but I absolutely fell in love with the people.

Oklahomans may just be the best people on the planet! Everyone there welcomed me with open arms, supported me when I was down and generally made my life worth living.

You've probably seen the news about the storms that have been pummeling Oklahoma, Kansas and Texas...some of you may be wading through them. While my heart breaks for the people who've been affected, I know they'll rebound just as strong as they were prior to the flooding and they'll make life better...that's just the kind of people they are!

My friend Diana sent me these pictures of Turner Falls, located in southern Oklahoma near Ardmore.

before the rains

and

after the rains

And unless you're from Oklahoma, you have no idea how seriously Oklahomans take the weather. I used to complain constantly that the tv weathermen in Oklahoma would interrupt any tv show, even the Super Bowl or Billy Graham, to let you know it was raining 300 miles from you! But, I have to admit, I kinda miss Rick Mitchell, Mike Morgan, and especially Gary England. Even Jon Stewart and The Daily Show (via Melessa) have found the glory that is Gary England...

And what's even better is that KWTV 9 and Gary England, while finding Stewart's bit funny, DEFENDED the commercial (watch the following to the end)! Too funny!

Thanks Be to God and God Bless Oklahoma!

Scotty's Big Adventure?

So, I realized that the name of my blog was out of date...I had originally named it A Catholic Sooner, then Anastasia had dubbed it Scotty's Big Harvard Adventure. I really liked Anastasia's title, but the Harvard adventure has ended.

What should I all my blog now? For the time being I'm just calling it Scotty's Big Adventure, but I'm not real happy about that...doesn't seem quite right.

Anybody got some suggestions?

Well, I've been in Ithaca for my first full week. Work is going well. It's a little slow because of the student's being gone. And also, because I'm still feeling my way in the job.

I spent most of this week going through and straightening up my office. There are files in there from the 80s and they certainly all that necessary at this point. But, I'm slowly making my way through it.

I met with the University Admissions Office on Thursday and got their take on recruitment from an official standpoint. Their input and assistance will definitely come in handy as I continue to learn the various recruitment aspects of my job.

All in all, it was a good first full week in my opinion. Jobwise, I don't know that it could have been better? Personally, my biggest issue is finances as I won't receive my first pay until July 13, but I'll make it through.

Well, here's the iPod Shuffle of the week...

iPod Shuffle of the Week
1. A Country Boy can Survive! Hank Williams Jr.
2. Church of the Poison Mind. Boy George & The Culture Club
3. Done too Soon. Neil Diamond
4. Love and Peace or Else. U2
5. Last Dance Rodeo. Jewel
6. Roxanne. The Police
7. I'm Not Afraid to Love You. FFH
8. Lead of Love. Caedmon's Call
9. A Little More. Jennifer Knapp
10. Fight for OKU. The Pride of Oklahoma

The rules, for bloggers who want to play:
Get your iPod or media-player of choice set the thing to shuffle, then post the first ten songs that come out. No cheating, no matter how stupid it makes you feel!

Thanks Be to God and Boomer Sooner!