Find and Found: I'm Lost in Space but have a Telescope

Finding things on the Internet used to be much easier than it feels right now. Forums take so much time I don't have to sort through. I'm looking for people that own telescopes locally (in my town) and want to teach me something without any other agenda. I'm afraid the task is overwhelming me. Finding a friend to get mosquito bitten with around here seems a lost cause because its for love of a hobby, and booty is not in the equation.

I own a Celestron Nexstar 130 SLT and I have let other tasks allow it to slip on the back burner, and learning on my own is taking way too long to perfect when I know someone out there could simplify many aspects of setting it up and answer all the noob questions I have. Craigslist is not an answer (as of yet) *sigh*

And I want to make friends, not pay someone.  However, the two sometimes go hand in hand.

I will find the answer,  I optimistically think .. because I found solutions when it came to saltwater reef rescue during the time I had foot surgery.  I am so glad I began to search for a professional whose services save me time, money and stress.

I found http://www.secretreef.com/ and Mr. Michael Montogomery took all the pain and worry out of caring for my aquarium, at a great price and with a sparkling personality.  My hardwood floors are safe, all my corals are alive and the tank is thriving.  And what a neat friend.  {The picture of the shrimp was Michael's solution to a explosion of hitchhiker starfish.  And after he eats them all, I'm going to give him back.}

My Harlequin Shrimp 

So I guess I need to view success in astronomy fact finding will be measured in the amount of research time I devote to the topic.

Sounds so serious when I review ... when the pinball machine in my head pings:

I'll bet you haven't blogged about banjos yet.  (ping)  Nope.

Said anything about Moss Gardening? (ping) No Way.

How about going back to school? (ping) Nada

ping!

In the Clear

I just opened my final letter for payment on my college loans.  I finally did it really.  I earned it completely now.  What a sense of accomplishment!  I Did it! ME!  A long time ago.  Thanks East Carolina, for the memories.

East Carolina University Homepage



Not Just a Picture on the Wall - My Bachelor's Degree



Sailor Suit: Pirate Gone HA

Pirate Stripes.

I miss my husband.  I'm still sick.

Somehow, though, dress up still works.

No matter how old you may be.

Or may not be.

The big question huh?

 

My Doctor the Pirate: Swabbing

So I was supposed to headed to Bryson City this weekend, but complications with me as a 'system' decided otherwise for me.

I can't say that I'm too terribly upset.. I have the whole house to myself for a couple of days.  MAKE a note of it because I rarely have this event.

However, having issues that cramp my lifestyle on other levels made me stay home and take the high road to the doctor.

Providence would have it that I was able to see my actual doctor and not settle for someone else in the practice.  I would have gone to the weekend walk in clinic they offer before seeing a particular worm today.

Anyway, my doctor specializes in women's studies, so not only is he my family doctor, but my OB as well.  I was sick a couple of weeks ago and he prescribed some new allergy medicine along with heavy antibiotics.

Long story short, the side effects from the new nasal treatment he gave me were not cool.  No one likes to wake up with serial killer pillow.  I did.  Twice.  Freak out and panic at the disco.  That stuff literally dried me up so bad my nose bled in my sleep.

Then there's yeast.  OMG.  Nothing cramps a love life like feeling like you might just levitate spontaneously at any moment.  And the thing was, I had Diflucan (grease cramps one's style too) and that didn't seem to help anything.

I woke up this morning with a fever, a knot in my neck and swallowing was agony.  I freaked out praying I didn't have thrush.

You might be thinking drama queen, but anything that sets off my body's pH .. leads to some sort of bodily reaction.  I can't be too careful with anything.  So I eat a lot of yogurt and usually life is good.

Getting to the point, I went in and for the second time on record, actually registered a fever (which I never do).

Doctor decides to test me for strep, thrush and my OB concerns.  He comes back with the nurse my husband is scared of (lol, she stinks at drawing blood)... anyway...

He became a pirate when he did the 'Slide to the end of the table' routine and his nurse told me to open wide.  People, no one should have to have a swab in two orifices at once.  So here I am gagging for the nurse while the Captain and his swab are below deck.

Ten minutes later he says:  No yeast.  No bacteria.  No strep.  But just in case, he's a week of fluconazole.  Stop taking the nasal spray.  You probably have a viral infection and should feel better in a couple of days, so take it easy.

Arrrrrg Mr. Captain.

ME:  "I hate you!"

Doctor:  "I'm sorry" (red faced and eyes twinkling)

ME:  "NO YOU ARE NOT!!!"

I could hear his laughter all the way in reception.

Dollars and Sense: I'm glad I found the way

My husband gave me the paper from our mortgage company that declared we own our dream.  My house is paid for.  The money my husband had been putting towards our mortgage he now puts into a savings that is four months old.  He gave me the paper because he knew things like that mean something to me.

I cried and hugged him and then still in his arms, thanked him.  We own my first dream.  My husband made my first dream a reality when we simply moved into this home.  I wanted my own home, hummingbirds and a garden.  Tearfully, I can say someone did that for me.

My husband said we did it.  I know we did, but I told him that I still appreciate the man that got up each day and successfully ran his own business and how much that meant to me.

My husband taught me everything I know about finances.  I don't know how I got through life without someone really sitting down and showing me the ropes of money.  My parents didn't.  It took meeting the right person to show me some practical notions about life.

This year my college loans will be paid off.  And I am proud.  My car is paid for, again my husband and I both pat each other's back about our first Luxury car.  We didn't plan on getting Betty when we did, but I went 38 years without a single accident, and then walked away from my Impala without a single scratch on me.  I over-corrected on a curvy road, lost control and ended up rolling my car.  What is more amazing was the insurance adjuster, and my first new car I totaled still ended up getting the maximum amount to put towards Betty.  My almost five year old car was in perfect condition and my husband was proud of me for that.  I endeavor to do the same with my Buick, except maybe not have another moment with OnStar.  For those of you that wonder.. I am so grateful to the people at www.onstar.com for being there to save the day.

I rolled in this Impala and nobody but the car was hurt.

I'm getting to more things I've learned over the years.  I've been taught to never carry a balance on a credit card and to pay it off each month.  My husband told me it makes no sense to put money in a savings while paying interest on debt.  He's right of course.  He doesn't believe in check cards, but I had to say I have one, but monitor things much closer than he does.

We differ in checkbook balance.  I balance to the very penny.  He rounds to the next dollar.  We stopped messing each other's paperwork up a long time ago.  However, I've turned into the savings queen.

I use U-Promise if I online shop, and have it linked to an online savings account.  I also have the credit card for those extra dollars and cents.  I fill out surveys for money through www.upromise.com  I also utilize the work I already do emptying my inbox through another survey website that pays you just to open emails.  They are pennies, but hey, it seems they are mine.

But time makes a person lax.. and that' what I've been.  So I'm loaning myself from savings to pay everything off and just sat here and figured up when I'd have my accounts straight and my savings paid back.  By fall all will even keel, and I am writing about it kind of as a promise to myself to not forget all I've learned in pursuit of a deal.

I went from no credit to Excellent credit.  I can buy my own home if I wanted.  But in one stupid decision, could screw that up.  The bar is high these days and there is no room for error.

My family must come up with a new dream.  I tell my husband that when we decide to find that retirement home, I'm bringing my front door.  And I mean it. 

Busted by Mom

My husband and I tried for romance this evening on the deck.  I just walked outside freshly primped for romance on our hammock...

*robe- drop*

*voice*

John- that sounds like your mother.

It was.  She opened her window and yelled out 'Did you know the shop lights were on?'

John pulls PJ pants back over .. stuff and things..

And since I was Maverick and Drinking Grey Goose... I said.

'John' Why didn't you have your dick out?

This would have been perfect!?

Do you think we went inside?  Nope. 

We giggled like insane teenagers .. that got old .. and we went back to doing ... our thing .. (um.)

Afterwards we both decided it was a good thing for her to look over our privacy fence and see that not only are we the parents of the coolest kid on the planet.

We love each other, and Romance one another.. and oh yeah...

We fuck too.

And well, you had to look.

HAHAHAHHAHAHA

Sharing Deep Thoughts and Words

I have a dear friend, who shared a piece of reality in the horrors of 'US Drone Terrorism', and I was moved me to write him a letter.  I am sharing this letter in my blog because I passionately believe in the goodness of others and the intentions of what he shared with me were meant to open my eyes and heart.  I rejoice in knowing this man, because in doing so ... we share the small victory of overcoming world statistics and stereotypical narrow-mindedness.

I have no words that convey all the different emotions that bombarded me as I looked into a waking nightmare.  You see, my nightmares are never about monsters.  My nightmares are people, and what they can do.  I could not stop watching that video... but I shook.. and cried... and felt helpless.. and angry... and hopeless.

Then putting myself into the shoes of the person who sent me this glimpse .. I have remained wondering how he feels.  I wanted to comfort my friend, whom to me, is just that, my friend.  How could he want to even talk to me?  Even be my friend?  I come from NC... I'm an American.

But I never think of myself that way when I make friends.  I'm just Faye.  Just me.  And my friend is from Pakistan.  And he is just Himself.  What I'm trying to say is that where he lives has never been who he was to me.  A few weeks ago, I was sharing how wonderful he was with another online friend from Georgia.  My friend from GA gave me a huge lecture on foreign people.  I was pretty livid with my GA friend, who had no business telling me how to pick friends.  I defended my friend from Pakistan and cut Mr. GA off from further lecture on things he may be out of touch with.

This is what I believe many people are out of touch with.  People are out of touch with what is good and what is bad.  Evil is evil, no matter who commits the act.  Race, ethnicity, nationality nor religion are not on the resume of EVIL.  Evil is committed every single day, by people everywhere.  The problem is owning up to EVIL and admitting its existence.  Loyalty has no place in seeing truth, and omission of guilt makes a person part of the act.  What I wanted to tell my friend from Pakistan is the truth that is so ugly.  Although I am far removed from the act, I am part responsible because I vote, and my vote helped put people in power in my government.. and those people are committing acts of EVIL.  I feel ashamed and ugly.  All I can do is say that I see it and acknowledge part of it is my fault.

Feeling Compelled to type this opened me up to new resolve.  That resolve is to research and choose wisely.  However, I want to say I will still look at the world the way I do, and see people and differences for what they are .. beautiful enigmas.  Wonderful conversations.  The start of great learning milestones.  I will never lose my curiosity and love for other people and desire to know how they live and how they relate to me.  I find the subject fascinating.  I will keep on being fearless and being myself.  I will also keep my sense of dignity and respect for others.  I want to learn, so that I may raise my daughter to be more than the sum of her parts. 

I wish NC, USA were just a geographical location and that Pakistan was simply another.  That's what it should be.  We are all people.  We live.  We love.  We want happiness and success.  We dream big dreams.  We all worry and cry.  We all have parents and family.

 

This is what I wanted to say to my friend in Pakistan honestly and openly.  And remark joyously about our friendship. And say how people should make note of us because we are a good example of many things the world stereotypes and labels. We prove them wrong.  No one is going to tell me he is bad, based on thoughts and acts he had no part in... which to further the point... means there are a million other good people like him in Pakistan too.  And I hope he looks at NC that way because NE person heard, and agrees with what is right and sees the wrong.

 

I wish more people took the time to know what they judge.  They say one person can't change the world.. I have news for them.  That is not true.  This media changed my world.  My eyes are a little wider.  And that I will pass on to my child, who is the world to me.

 

May this letter comfort light a small candle of hope in Pakistan for my friend..

This is paraphrase.. but worth sharing in the light of opening doors..

But even I admit I'm afraid of getting fingers slammed... truth hurts.  I'd rather hurt than be numb. 
*sigh**wave*
World Peace
One person at a time...

Mind Bomb: Its not that Musical on the Hill

I have spent the day talking emotional subjects with a dear friend who is close to me.  And strangely that statement in itself is a trainwreck.  He lives in Georgia.  I've known him for a long time, I met him blogging.  Funny thing is, we became friends over words.  His exact message to me:  'You spelled paraphrenalia correctly.  I think I love you.'  And we ruled chatting for a long time.  Then we called each other.  Praise everything I met GiGi.  He saved my husband's life and quite possibly my marriage.  How cool a person is that?  One that I have never met, know all his family's history and its never boring.  Parenting, Books, Philosphy, Trivia, Aging... all on conversations that just galvanize me still.  All my friends have said Hi to my GiGi.  John, Nattie..sisters, cousins, friends... because that's how I am.  It takes a strange person to be friends with a bug like me.  Being Big Magic has  become a journey for me.. I draw lines.  I don't accept.  I do tell.  I say NO.  Firmly.  Up front, and well Gigi is the only person to brave it all.  I count on Gigi.  He matters.  He's been married for over 30 years.  That is so incredible.  *the hills are alive with the sound of music* I can't help if you cringe in disgust because I believe in *Doe, a Deer?*  Gigi please absorb the awe and let me ignore the whole disclaimer of what there is and what I imagine not existing somehow! *bright paper packages tied up with strings*  ~I suddenly stop clutching drapes~ 

THAT was some revelry.  Not just make believe.  [My mother bought me the Bradford Exchange plate of Julie Andrews]

I stomp around huffing.  Typing this in a huff happens to make quite the empathic clatter.

GIGI*  how can you not see your greatest adventure is sitting in his very home waiting to be rediscovered... his wife.

I ask him when was the last time he kissed his wife with tongues.  Or when was the last time he fondled anything?  Or Ogled her?

I made my friend blush and stammer and I was not trying to embarrass him.  I was serious.

I told him I would hound him until he did so, because I could not and would not believe he was dead, based on factual knowledge of who he was and of men in general..

May my husband kiss me with tongue in his late 60s, may he ogle and fondle.

Because I didn't think men had just as many mid life crisis as women did, but apparently, they do.

I refuse to think I'm going to shrivel up and die and give in to the fact I'm going to be an old shoe.  Being an old shoe is a state of mind, and I will not let my husband become something in my way.

I'm in love.

And intend to stay that way.

with Tongues.

Figuring Out What to Put Out there Now

I love it, some things are finally sorta, kinda making sense.  Or I am making things work within the machine without anything but trial and error.

So for now I am going to be happy with figuring things as being ass backwards and redundant.

It takes much effort to get a voice recording from my Samsung phone into dropbox, then convert out of dropbox to an mp3 file, then another upload into the soundcloud.

And the soundcloud seems a limiting thing because I only know how to plug it into one page.

I was way too happy I figured out how to link within my own damn blog....

its the little things I guess.

I digress.

And think of how I'm going to keep track of making it better, or better yet, moving it somewhere and making it mine.

Without blowing up something.

Finding Something Useful Sideways

My Samsung Phone annoys me with saving every Google Album that ever was ...

But it helped me figure out how to put a cute slideshow on my blog..

The next thing will be how to update it without messing it up.

Ha!

This took five minutes to figure out.

The how not to mess it up part should include a stopwatch...

Now if I could just get my voice thing to work like that damned slideshow, except each recording pull up an entry ..

I'm not sure if that is a 'page' thing or a 'link' deal.

But I don't care.

To the small victories.

Getting Things Done ≧ Or Not

The luxury of blogging hits at strange times, but I wish I made more time to comment on the status quo of my world... however... this video from... Madagascar 2 (which does not belong to me, so thank you DreamWorks) is almost like an excerpt from the peanut gallery in my head..



I've made it through the list of things that must be done in the world or chaos will rain upon me... I think.  I made it though my sister's wedding.  I am still standing, walking, talking and breathing.  However, all the great things I thought family connections seems a bit lackluster.  I feel like a child navigating in all those situations.  Then again, I get the notion my standards may be a bit too high.. I let those feelings pass... otherwise I will have to can the idea that I am an optimist.

So now my child is out of school.  We have gymnastics booked.  Two days a week of daycare, so I can pursue getting housework done.  Then we've also found a teacher that will combine banjo and voice lessons.. (now I must find a banjo).

Family time seems to be getting more productive and involves both husband and child.  I don't feel as lonely.

I'm still waiting on the whole figuring out how to handle family, right now, I am still comparing the idea with snake handling.

I have the problem of my missing ring down to the consensus that I have to file a police report.  Its depressing, but must be done.

Then the whole ball of wax concerning me admitting I'm a grown up... and that I may have stepped in a pile of steaming poo.  My options are limited and I'm all out of ideas when it comes to dealing with a potential douche-bag.  The pile of poo is the fact I may have to resort to calling them the douche-bag and wipe off my shoe and pretend I don't care.

But hey, if I can understand the crap sandwich theory.. the steaming pile should be no problem..

Right.  Just make sure those monkeys have those 1099 forms Faye.  It's been a lean year.

The One in Every Family

I had to call the higher pecking order family members to freak out about a cousin. She posted a half empty beer bottle in what appears to be a kid hand. I don't care whose hand it is, my family will flip.

Standard case of: stupidity in motion

I barely know the person, but boy, its hopefully not going to be more than me busting a gasket.

 

OK, so I had to read this myself and think:  people are scratching and wondering what's the big deal?

 

So I will expand upon this posting:

 

When I saw that beer bottle I had a few feelings, then horrible scenarios flash through my brain.  First:  The parent in me was pissed off and wanted to start bellowing.

Second:  The 'Holy Crap that person is family!' made me feel ashamed to know I share genetic code with them.

Third:  After recovering from shame, the fail-safe breaker was flipped:  'This idiot could hurt my Mom!' and the: "You don't Fuck with my Mom" button went off (everybody has this button)

Fourth:  Indecision of which family member to call to quietly squash the incident without collateral damage made anxiety levels climb to undiscovered heights

Fifth:  All the caring about people I barely know really pissed me off again.  I calmed myself by reasoning that this was not being a busy-body, and that honestly I only worried my Mom would suffer from this.  From there, imagination took over so motivate me into doing something. 

 

Summary  How Mom finds out/ worst case scenario (person to call decision made):

 

Someone saw the picture, and sent it to twitter.  The picture went viral.  Police were sent.  Public outrage was huge.  I find this all out by opening yahoo news.

 

Then find video of my mom cleaning up the mess and other family members being idiots slandering one another.

 

Leading to Dr. Phil deciding to lend his wisdom to the gold-diggers of my family, who jump at the chance to show IQ.

 

Terribly big imagination I have (and ego too).. but it boils down to thinking of my Mom and how much she carries on her shoulders.  I may not have a great understanding of her inner workings, but, she is so depressed and sad ... and strong .. and the thought of me not doing something seems to make me an accessory.  I felt like letting that picture stay there meant I had no family loyalty or even cared about the big picture of familial bonds.  My Mom is a staunch defender of our family and hates alcohol and what it does to families.  My mom does not have any social media pages and does not like them, so honestly, backlash would come out of nowhere.  Whether it be from distant family or the world.

 

How did this end?

 

I called my sister, who said I did the right thing, but they all took it wrong.  The cousin acted like my sister was making drama because she didn't go to the wedding.

 

I wanted to scream:  THE PICTURE WAS THE DRAMA.

 

My sister got the crap end of a stick and I volunteered to call but she said to leave it alone.

I really wish I could have called my family to defend my sister.

 

It seems terribly complicated and scary, but the imagination for motivation worked partially.  Disaster averted.  Mom safe.

 

Score another point for misunderstood daughters that love their complicated Moms.

Voice Test Run

Ok, not my funniest, but I think I'm figuring some things out....
This goes to my voice page within this blog

Researching Tools

My best medium is voice recorded.  I'm trying to find the easiest way to play my voice recordings within a blog post and why does it seem like rocket science?

Because it is a science.

SEO?

(Succubus Everyone Obeys)