Saturday, February 23, 2013

Winter Clings to KS

Well, we’re have gotten some precipitation at long last.  Of course, it is the wintry and white sort.  Around a foot fell a couple days ago, but yesterday was sunny and some melting got to happen.  It is sunny again today, so hopefully we can get some more melting done before the next storm rolls in Sunday-Monday.  As always, since I have spent significant amounts of time around the Antarctic version of snow, the stuff that falls here seems very wet and heavy in comparison.  Regardless of those characteristics, it all translates into moisture much needed.

There is not really anything regarding what’s next work-wise to report.  I suppose patience should be one of the answers to the usual interview question I could begin including in my description of positive attributes I have!  I think a big social cleavage (Yea, I retained something from those political science courses I took in grad school!) that probably lurks out there now is between those people who have remained gainfully employed throughout the economic downturn since 2008, versus those of us who have been faced with seeking professional employment in the challenging climate since then.  I know I certainly have been molded by my experiences in that regard, and I suppose in some ways (certainly not economically) I have been strengthened.  With luck, the government/Congress won’t set us all back with these budget cuts next week.  Even if that foolishness comes to pass, I will carry on, but it would be great if such titanic forces would not be added to what so many of us face already.
“Ours is essentially a tragic age, so we refuse to take it tragically. The cataclysm has happened, we are among the ruins; we start to build up new little habitats, to have new little hopes. It is rather hard work: there is now no smooth road into the future: but we go round, or scramble over the obstacles. We’ve got to live, no matter how many skies have fallen.”
~D.H. Lawrence, Lady Chatterley's Lover

Wednesday, February 6, 2013

Working toward work

So, as you might have surmised by now, I have not had any big news about the astronaut candidate selection.  With January 2013 in the history books, it looks like that door has closed for this option for now.  I have thusly pivoted to investigating other fruitful, professional opportunities, and it has been interesting seeing what all is out there these days.  In general, things seem more hopeful than years past.

The weather remains dry here in Kansas with 104 of 105 counties being declared drought disaster areas.  Allegedly there is some rain in the forecast for tonight, but who knows whether any will really materialize.

With no dog here at home for several years, the critters have certainly made themselves more at home.  Last night we used a live trap cage and relocated the first of several opossums that have taken up residence in a burrow under the concrete slab of our driveway.  There are several more to deal with, but hopefully we’ll be able to remove them permanently without much trouble.
“Perseverance and spirit have done wonders in all ages.”
~General George Washington