Offtopic Sofa Time

[Els]

Good luck with your interesting assignment, Sinkwriter72!
It's amazing when you think about all this stuff, that we are used to having now, and wouldn't want to give up - strange to think that we used to live without it... I didn't miss it at that time, but now I'm happy that I have a pc, a cell phone and other stuff
Having one of your favourite series recorded for you, isn't really cheating imo I totally understand

[ThyneAlone]

Could I live without them? Well we have only had a computer for 10 years so I expect I could revert to other amusements (including proper letter writing!) in my spare time, but of course work would be impossible, and it would be a bit irritating not to have facts instantly at my fingertips. My mobile has been around for a much shorter time and I think I could work round its absence. But TV and films would be hard at times. Harder, true, if it happened to be a tellyfast when Bones, Doctor Who, Being Human and Sherlock were showing. Not that I get the chance to watch much that I like, genre viewer that I am (sharing a house with 4 men does mean I am subjected to sports channels most of the time and have learned just to switch off both mentally and with the remote), but still - I like my occasional sessions.

Hope you are all OK. I am buried in work up to my ears, trying to organise various trips as well as doing assessments and exams and now teaching 2 extra lessons a week in my own spare time! And singing is also pretty demanding in the lead up to Lent. Thank goodness, my brother is coping well looking after my Dad, so that is less of a worry. And don't even think that I'm not watching the site and following what's going on - I am. So behave yourselves!

[TJ4ever]

... So behave yourselves!

I'll try, but cannot promise you this!

[skftex]

HAHAHAHA Simone you are so cute.

Sherry how did your non-technology day go?

[Sinkwriter72]

Sherry how did your non-technology day go?

As with most things, I went overboard. I didn't use my cell phone (no big deal), or my computer or iPod (which sucked), but I also didn't use a microwave or the house phone or the TV or pretty much anything technological. Except the washing machine. I did do my laundry. LOL.

Mostly the day was spent doing the parts of my homework that didn't require a computer (lots of reading chapters and taking notes). I also made dinner and ran an errand for one of my aunts. (It was a bummer not to be able to use my iPod in the car!)

Overall, I found it generally not a big deal because it was only one full day. I had other (non-technological) stuff to do, so I kept busy. If it had been for a whole week, there would have been more of a problem. I use the computer every day for work, and for my schoolwork; I check emails (those would have piled up), and there's no way I could go without some form of music for a week. I would have used a record player or sung a capella if I had to. LOL.

What's everybody been up to?

And Happy Valentine's Day!

Do any of you have any Valentine's Day rituals or ways you do or don't celebrate? I like to go opposite of romance -- watch action flicks in which women kick ass (X-Men, The Matrix) or in which men kick ass and look hot doing so (Die Hard, Spiderman, Batman, did I mention Hugh Jackman in Xmen? *GRIN*) and I allow myself to eat anything I want, even if it's unhealthy. I usually order a steak. And of course there must be chocolate of some kind.

[skftex]

You cheated, a car is technology.

[Sinkwriter72]

But it's not 'new media' technology, which was the actual assignment. A car was not cheating.

Ever the smart ass, Sharon. LOL.



Anyway, I'll let you know how I did on the assignment after tomorrow night's class. I think we get our papers back then. :eusa-dance:

[skftex]

So the TV was "new media technology"?





cheater

[ThyneAlone]

Ah no, clearly a personal sacrifice..

[Sinkwriter72]

No, technically the TV wasn't new either, but before I started the assignment I asked the teacher if we were supposed to give that up to, and he decided to include it because it's something (like new media) that we often use a LOT.

Don't give me that sass, Sharon!

[SmackyKennedy]

Would you have trouble giving up some of your favorite technologies?

I work from home, so unless I was taking the day off I couldn't get away with giving up my computer. Even though I'm quite in love with my smart phone, I could give it up quite easily for a day or more. Not many people actually call me anyway. Now the ipod I would have a hard time with. Music keeps me sane. I could live without the TV as long as it was summer and Bones and Castle weren't on. I actually lived without a microwave for a week when I was waiting for my landlord to replace mine. Pain in the a**. Never realized how much I use that thing until it was gone!

You cheated, a car is technology.

Now Sharon, going by that I think she would have to give up electricity, plumbing, etc...

Do any of you have any Valentine's Day rituals or ways you do or don't celebrate?

I broke it off with my boyfriend a couple of weeks ago, so had no plans. I wasn't really that depressed about it though. I went the movie route too, except I had romantic movies going on in the background while I was working: Pretty Woman, The Holiday, The Princess Bride, Dirty Dancing, and For Lovers Only. I ate an entire box of peanut butter cups and made a heart-shaped pizza, which my kids got a kick out of.

In other news, I've decided to move to Florida this summer to be closer to family. I'm really looking forward to it. I like having a chance to start fresh and it will be nice for the boys to grow up near their relatives. I'm hoping to find a place close to the beach--the idea of going for my morning walk/jog is very appealing!

Oh and speaking of boyfriend, do you know what he said to me? He said he's really worried that it won't work out for me (romance wise) because of my kids (ie they're difficult) and my issues (I'm too distant apparently). He was basically saying that I should be careful, because he might be the best that I'm going to find. Really? That's what happened with my divorce, settled for the wrong person. Not going to settle again out of fear. Argh.

So what's happening with everyone else? Hope you are all doing well!

[skftex]

Don't give me that sass, Sharon!

:angelic-green:

You cheated, a car is technology.

Now Sharon, going by that I think she would have to give up electricity, plumbing, etc...

Yes! See you agree she cheated! She used electricity and water and a car!

In other news, I've decided to move to Florida this summer to be closer to family. I'm really looking forward to it. I like having a chance to start fresh and it will be nice for the boys to grow up near their relatives. I'm hoping to find a place close to the beach--the idea of going for my morning walk/jog is very appealing!

Sounds like a good thing. How will that work out with the kids Dad?

Oh and speaking of boyfriend, do you know what he said to me? He said he's really worried that it won't work out for me (romance wise) because of my kids (ie they're difficult) and my issues (I'm too distant apparently). He was basically saying that I should be careful, because he might be the best that I'm going to find. Really? That's what happened with my divorce, settled for the wrong person. Not going to settle again out of fear. Argh.

Sigh. I didn't know that was who said that to you. Again, I disagree with it. Just because he wasn't the guy for you doesn't mean that you'll never find someone. As I said, YOU ARE AWESOME and there is going to be someone that sees that and you feel that HE is awesome too.

So what's happening with everyone else? Hope you are all doing well!

I have a Principles of Math test on Monday so guess what my weekend will be like? This is a class I took before and didn't pass but the professor this time is SO much better. Also since it is a full semester instead of just a month long class, it isn't all going so fast. He also seems to want us to pass the class and teaches us like he believes we can, where the other professor taught like he wanted to fail everyone. I also have a Topology quiz that day but I'm not sure studying would help much, I have NO idea what that man is talking about. And I get to go grocery shopping tomorrow, and also going to the library to get some books so I can have some fun things to read. I've been reading all the Kathy Reichs books they have. I'm currently reading Grave Secrets but I don't like it as much as I liked the others I've read.

[Sinkwriter72]

Hey, Sharon -- out of curiosity, is Hodgins a character from Kathy's books, or was he created for the TV show?

[skftex]

He was created for the show. Jack Hodgins is a Canadian author that Hart Hanson knows (I think he was/is a teacher and HH was one of his students at one point). I've read 4 or 5 of the books, and while a "bug guy" is mentioned, usually she talks about collecting the bugs and sending them off to him, so it isn't someone that works with the book Brennan in Quebec or in Charlotte. Sometimes she has phone conversations with the bug guy but I don't remember the name (and I think it changes depending on where she is-Quebec or Charlotte)

BTW, all of the other characters were created for the show, even Booth, though I suppose he is LOOSELY based on the cop Andrew Ryan, the whole back story and his job are completely different so he isn't like Booth at all. Book Brennan isn't like the show Brennan either.

[SmackyKennedy]

Sounds like a good thing. How will that work out with the kids Dad?

He is okay with it. He's actually considering following us down there. He doesn't have a lot going for him around here either.

Sigh. I didn't know that was who said that to you. Again, I disagree with it. Just because he wasn't the guy for you doesn't mean that you'll never find someone. As I said, YOU ARE AWESOME and there is going to be someone that sees that and you feel that HE is awesome too.

Thank you. He actually apologized later that night. Either he's twitter stalking me secretly or realized what he said. Like I said, it's not like I've been on thousands of dates. The odds haven't been great so far.

I have a Principles of Math test on Monday so guess what my weekend will be like? ...

Teachers can make or break a course for you can't they? I'm sure you'll do great. Great job explaining my 2nd grader's homework the other day, lol.

I also have a Topology quiz that day but I'm not sure studying would help much, I have NO idea what that man is talking about.

*Googles Topology*

[skftex]

He is okay with it. He's actually considering following us down there. He doesn't have a lot going for him around here either.

That is good.

Thank you. He actually apologized later that night. Either he's twitter stalking me secretly or realized what he said. Like I said, it's not like I've been on thousands of dates. The odds haven't been great so far.

I'm glad he apologized. It wasn't very nice.

Teachers can make or break a course for you can't they? I'm sure you'll do great. Great job explaining my 2nd grader's homework the other day, lol.

HAHAHA Thanks. I'm glad I at least know how to do second grade math. But yes, the attitude of the teacher makes a difference as well. The teacher is Romanian, its funny to listen to him too, he says things like bee-conditional (biconditional), teams (terms), E-rational (irrational) and at the end of all of his sentences he turns them into questions by saying what? before the last word (then answers himself) HAHAHAHA Its great.

*Googles Topology*

If you find out what it is, and it makes sense to you, can you let me know? 4 weeks of classes over and I still have NO idea what it is or why I'd care to know. LOL

[ThyneAlone]

Hi there girls & boys. And TJ, to whom I must apologise for being away rather too long from regular connection with him & my friends. Ang, how are the Florida plans going? How was the test, Sharon? And Ali, so sorry you are having problems getting onto the forums. Sharon will sort it out. Being brilliant. As she is.

Given the fact that I have just had a week off I really should have come here earlier, But my beloved took me off to one of our old favourite haunts, Shrewsbury, for a few days. Partly as a Valentine’s treat and partly because we both really needed a break. I am up to my eyes in school work, chiefly exams, with a lot of parents’ evenings slung in for good measure; he is rehearsing madly for a Gilbert and Sullivan opera while also arranging and conducting material for a concert. We are lucky if we see each other in the evenings, we didn’t even get to share a pancake on Pancake Tuesday this year. But Shrewsbury is a beautiful little riverside town and an oasis in a hectic world, much enjoyed. And quite a lot of shopping was enjoyed too, more by me than the beloved, it must be confessed.

One of Son number 1’s friends has been over to stay for a few days, thereby plunging me into even more of a testosterone vat than that to which I am now accustomed. He’s a nice lad, but rather over-concerned with his appearance. The guy wears blusher, for goodness’ sake. Seems to bespeak a lack of self-esteem to me. Anyway, the house has certainly begun to feel a bit full lately! It’s lovely to have so many young people around, but it is somewhat stressful when we are in and out at all hours and have to organise 2 or 3 evening meal sittings.

Oh, and I have got my ring back. I had this gorgeous little white gold ring studded with tiny diamonds that the beloved bought me for our silver wedding anniversary and during the holiday I was stupid enough to put it on a different finger, and of course it got stuck, and my finger swelled up horrendously, and it had to be cut off (the ring; not my finger!), but now it’s repaired and looks like new. So I’m wearing it and have had my hair done today and have done 3 hours’ ironing while watching DVDs so am feeling unusually smug and happy with myself. That won’t last!

You will be glad to hear that my brother is now adjusting pretty well to life looking after my dad and that sister has been over to visit a few times. Hopefully we will get down there again soon. It does look as if things are settling despite the fact that my dad has a serious desire for attention and is being deliberately awkward and occasionally belligerent. This is probably partly a natural insecure reaction to the big changes in his life, but he’s also been showing some personality quirks that could be the start of dementia. Still, things were bound to alter massively now Mum is gone; she was the family anchor and linchpin.

Hope all is relatively well with you lot and look forward to hearing all your news.

[skftex]

Steph, I'm glad things are getting better for your brother.

Glad to hear you managed to get away for awhile too. Sounds nice and I hope it helped take away some of the stress!

I got an A on the test (90 out of 100). I was very pleased with it.

[FishFlyingBy]

Steph, I'm glad your brother is getting used to taking care of your father and that you got to take some time to clear your head for a few days.

Congrats on your 'A' Sharon

I'm busy with work, plus school on the weekends right now. I'm also trying to find an interesting topic for my school assignment. I have to write 25 pages about a topic, to which I'll also have to hold a presentation about afterwards. First, I wanted to write about the origin and development of languages but I couldn't find enough sources about it, plus the book I bought wasn't all that good. Now, I'm thinking about writing about the history of film and filmmaking in general, since I'm very interested in that. But I'm not sure yet.

What would you guys write about?

Anya

[Sinkwriter72]

Oh, to have enough money to contribute a larger amount to TJ's campaign for Theatre Junkies Moment Series...

Alas, I was only able to give what I could, and I'll have to hope that some day soon his group will either bring the series to Chicago for viewing or put it on a purchasable DVD. I really want to see it!

P.S. The music in the trailer for it draws me in every time. Sharon, do you know who wrote the music? (Or would you be able to find out from Tj for us?)