Shoot feeling tired anyway :(

Good Morning! Just me. It’s about 2 am in the morning right now and although I know I have to be moving soon to school work again ... behind a couple of assignments ... I am feeling a strong need to be able to free think for just a little bit. It has been a while and I feel I am out of touch with myself. It’s ok, for just a little bit that I write?

We had another appointment with Dr. M. Last night. There were at least 3-4 older parts in and a younger part who felt the need to pop-in to remind us that we were sitting in Dr. M.’s chair.  Scary stuff. 

                                     

The whole appointment seemed to be in going over just a few things. Someone in the system had sent Dr. M. Some questions regarding serotonin, dopamine, and nortriptyline.

We’ve been reading about these neurotransmitters in the course work for the cognitive course and we’ve been trying to figure them out, because bottom line, we know they affect us. We are on medicines for depression, anxiety, and anti-psychotics. We’ve known this for quite a while, but we’ve never spent the time so close to home in figuring them out. There were a couple of things that came up that I wasn’t so sure of either. It was like news to me.

The first thing is that Dr. M. Says that beside these other things is that I am obsessive-compulsive (OCD). I knew I had these tendencies, but I didn’t know that I was officially with this disorder. We have to think through that. As the conversation progressed, the terms psychotic and neurotic came up ... and as it turns out, I am these things too. Kind of a lot to be processing.

My general understanding of neurosis at this point is that I have trouble dealing with reality and that it is a general condition that kind of holds all of my other emotional problems. Psychosis has something more to deal with not being able tolerate my social world that might be due to disorders of perception, thinking, or affect (emotions). Shoot, we know we’ve been somewhere close to all this, but I don’t think we’ve ever asked Dr. M. About the exact stuff, or at least been able to hold this much in mind.

I’m not sure how much of it I really held in mind from yesterday’s talk until this morning. Kind a shock on the system. I have to put it in the perspective that I am no different today than yesterday and that I am still dealing with things for the most part productively. I can’t help though but to say that it all worries me. Sort of in the way of thinking, "I am going to be ok, right?" Pretty good thing that I decided not to go into clinical or counseling. I’ve known for quite a while that although, I can be smart enough to figure a lot out, I shouldn’t be directly responsible for taking on critical therapies with others.  Especially, in consideration of dealing with "real" time.  I don’t mean to put myself down, but I know I have a certain amount of instability that would be adversarial to the good concerns of others. BUT, it doesn’t mean I can’t do work with writing educational material. Nothing in all those diagnosis that says that I can’t learn about learning and use that to assist others. We’re just admitting to I have some challenges in processing life on its terms. Kept asking dr. M. questions like, "Do I have that too?"

Shoot, sure did make me appreciate having a good psychiatrist though. I thought last night, "God Bless him!" I will never be able to say enough about Dr. M. Being so attentive to my concerns. His office is like an L shape with the door and some cabinets immediately when entering in the office, then straight ahead is a seating arrangement with a couch, coffee table and two comfortable chairs sitting across from that which sits in the crook of the "L". Then at the top of the "L" is his desk set up and more shelves. On the wall to the inside of the "L," he has a large white board, which comes in kind of handy sometimes like last night. Maybe too because he is the director of the psych interns at the University, so we’re figuring that he draws pictures for them too.

It isn’t our normal practice to ask for visuals, but last night, we felt like a  student. He drew pictures of neurons interacting with each other and he had a half slice picture of the human brain. He drew out how recepters worked and the chemicals and the reuptake part.  He also drew in the brain where the depression and anxieties came into affect, especially in the frontal lobe. And, he helped me understand the affects of each of my medicines. I’m still at the point of trying to remember them all. I take ten medicines everyday, some twice a day. Let’s see how many I can remember. There is risperadal, buspirone, Celexa, hmm, two more for psychological ... have to look again. Ok, wellbutrin and provigil. Then, the other five are for physical. Two for diabetes, one for hypothyroid,one for arthritis pain, and one for cholesterol. We’re going to try hard for the moment to think, we’re not real messed up. I mean that is the purpose of all those medicines to keep me healthy, right?

The provigil sort of works as a medicine to help me be alert, like a super caffeine pill to maybe counteract the affect of all the other medicines. There is one for anti-psychotic, and the others for depression and anxiety. Pshwoo. Ok, enough of that! Hehehe, we’re just challenged. I do think it is kind of funny, because with all that, none of the medicines are directly for multiple-personality problems. There isn’t any medicine for that. Go figure.

So, now we are up to the point of thinking, "So, What? What does all this mean to me?" I guess one of the side affects of having mental illness, is that I no longer have to worry about "getting it!" Hehe I’m THERE! There are some conception problems of wondering about normalcy, but we’ll stick to the impression that we are a normal Neurotic. I can see poor V thinking, shoot, there is no way we’re going to be able to live with her after all this! Sorry, V ... for your sake, we’ll try not to step off any deep ledges! BUT, we’re way over the other side of the fence now. Looking to see how green the grass is over here. Feeling though a little special in our own right. Like shoot, all considering, we’re doing pretty good.

And, might we add, we have a damn good looking psychiatrist! :) We couldn’t help to be amazed with him last night. Not especially, because of how smart he is ... we are figuring this has to be expected, I mean the guy IS a MD first! But, the thing is that we had to cross to his side of the room to see the board correctly (though I refuse to talk about eye sight problems!) It was psychologically a pretty big deal, although he had moved from his normal chair to be standing at the board. Couldn’t be more proud of how professional he really is.

The first image we have of him is that he has a real nice body shape, and stands nice and tall. He’s average tall for a guy and on the thin side. Very good looking, which is partly due to the natural intelligence he wears on his face. He always has a friendly appearance and is on-track. He’s our super-hero. I remember thinking for a bit, we’re not going to be blown away again by how cool we think he is. We figure he is in his mid-30's now. Feeling now the trust and excitement we process in just thinking of him. Ok, we’re still in love with our doc :) It’s been such a nice romance. The kind women have in falling in love with regular idols. We figure he is perfect, but you get all the satisfaction of knowing, he is never going to come over and leave the toilet seat up. Pswhoo, lot of satisfaction there.

Ok, ok ... we’re going of into space here again. Did I mention, we have a rich fantasy life!?? There is something very pleasant about living life on a cloud. The kind of cloud with silver linings. Ok, just a few more minutes in "everything is wonderful space!" In general, we feel well taken care of. We’re all these psychological things, but he still likes us and talks to us normally, and we have a few friends between here and work that are still coping with us :) Like you! Thank you!

Maybe we should move along our thoughts here. Yesterday, our new assistant was there again. We only get her on Thursdays, and this was only her second week. We can’t keep but being thrilled to pieces with her. She is the daughter of one of our best friends at work. She’s a senior psychology student. Wooo HOOO!!! I do enjoy the training aspects of my job, and especially more so with someone with this level of intelligence. We’ll for the sake of argument call her "MvP" hehehe. It’s pretty applicable. The first week we had her getting used to some of the reports some of the staff write on a regular basis. This time, we decided to concentrate on observations. Wooo HOOO. She flew with flying colors!!!! I thought her notetaking might be a problem, because she was saying she was weak on reading and writing. But, I don’t find that to be a problem, because we figure she is excellent! She wrote a few reports that I figured were in our own caliber. And, she is just two-days into the training! Natural talent!

We took her into three of the groups and had her sit with a particular client in each group. The first one we took notes with her to make sure she knew what we wanted, then she did the next two solo. After the notes were taken, we had her type them up. Couldn’t be more pleased. Between each of the readings, we discussed what she had saw and what it meant to her. And, on one of the clients, we charted for her how I might begin an analysis on the client. We listed for her the behaviors she had noticed, then we listed about a dozen questions that would help her understand the case. We left that for her to finish while we were gone. I leave on Thursdays 40 minutes ahead of her. In between we also went over the DSP training book explaining to her carefully that anything the DSPs could do, we do. Not only do we sub in, but we’re in the position over them, where we need to explain to the DSPs how to do their job better. I gave her a lot of information, especially on the developmental programming aspects of our work. She was comprehending, but we got teased by her mother afterward for giving her daughter a headache, cuz there had been so much. Hehehe.

We also had a staff training meeting yesterday. That went pretty good ... We’re on our third week of safety issues. Pretty much going straight down the line with the safety manual I put together. There were some serious things, but also some light laughter, which always makes the meeting fun. We were going over some of the policies and procedures for things like death in the facility, losing people and suicidal ideation. I have some pretty strong feelings with these issues.

In the process, I found out that the other Q is into the business of my clients again ... this is a BIG no-no. Found out that one of my girls was locking herself into the bathroom for a week. Instead of being told, the other Q yelled at her and then told her to use a bathroom outside the hall so that it wouldn’t interfere with others using the bathroom. Made me madder than a hornet. Not only was she interfering, but excusing the pun, it was pretty "crappy" advise! HMPF!

The same Q had tried to release one of her clients from the behavior meetings last week as if he had gotten better or something, but during the meeting, we heard that he was having suicidal ideation for a week or two and the other Q, although it was her client was telling the staff to ignore it. Thought NO-f****** way! Then, I gave very specific orders to the DSP contrary to the other Q’s orders, which is something usually not a good idea to do. But, I figure there is higher grounds here. We told her to take it directly to the boss. There is a chance that the boss may not want to deal with it either, But I’ll be damned if the upper two pin responsibility on the DSPs for their the upper-ups idiocy. The client obviously needs help. I say this runs big time neglect! Ok, stepping back now ... but, shoot! This just ain’t happening on my shift. I told the stafffor back-up I would talk to my friend. He’s officially the safety director. He’s careful with sister too, and I’m pretty sure no one is talking to him about this, but I feel trust in him that he will step in. He is not going to say, "forget about it" just because they doesn’t know how to handle it.Ok, ok ... calming down again. We wrote him about that incident and four others of DSP concern regarding safety that came up during the meeting. I can hear sister now. It’s none of your business, bUT someone should be "DEALING." If the family won’t take him into counseling, then we should at least be taking a pro-active stance at assisting. You just can’t ignore!

Ok, I’m done raving, but I see this is going to be an issue, I WILL take a stance on! Social workers, HMPF!!!

OK ... OK ... anything else?

Hmm, I’d be remiss if I didn’t say something about school. It kind of ties into what we were talking about previously with the neurotransmitters. We have to be getting back to the studies soon, because that is not going away, but we’re kind of in La-la land with it at this exact moment. There is so much to be processing. Last couple of weeks we’ve been going through attention, consciousness, and perception. This week, we are going through memory structures.

Last week was tough, and this week isn’t much easier. This week’s confusions seem to be around the text and discussion questions being on sorting through so many changes having been made over the last 100 years on memory models. I am kind of frustrated with it, because I just want to be dealing with "Which" one is the most correct. I don’t need to hear about all the processes. Too much to sort through. I’ve only got two weeks to be working with memory. It be different if I was taking a history course, but I just want a model that works. Dr. M. Says though that there are a lot of different concepts out there. Shoot, someone has to get it together. I’m much more apt to take the processes that are working through work done with physiology. If someone is showing real time advancements that’ll be my mark! *sigh*

ok, ok ... we’re just complaining a little now ... still a bit tiffed with that situation from work. PLUS, I am off the right medicines so we’re more apt to have trouble concentrating :( Seems we have a hard time getting a handle on that part of life. I should be getting either today or early next week the three month supply I ordered, but fact of the matter is that it isn’t hear yet, and we’re not dealing with that so good. I’m having trouble conceiving in my mind putting in a side order for 3 or 4 pills knowing that those few pills are going to cost as much as a90 day supply. :( We need a better system of getting order in so we’re not left short. Hmm...

Anyway ... yesterday, we had a moment that made us smile. In honor of the sox’s victory, we brought in for the clients and staff glazed donuts from Krispy Kreme. They weren’t expensive and made people so happy. I met Sr. On her way to church. She was going to have me save giving them out for lunch, but we gave her a very sad look and said something about them being warm now. Ahh, got her blessing and she even said over the loud speaker later something positive about the sox winning!!!! That made me happy. I know that during the championship series, I was looking for environmental cues that recognized within the city that something pretty darn special was happening. Like at the University, they had a big banner in the main hallway to the hospital saying, "Go White SOX!!!" That kind of stuff makes me smile. I figured with the donuts the more happy memories that go with victory for the clients ... a means to tie good feelings together, would be better. So, the whole event made me pretty happy. And, believe me ... there is no one that doesn’t appreciate a warm, sweet donut surprise! Hehehe YAYYYY Good feelings!

I think there are a whole lot of happy chicago people in regard to winning the world’s series. Today there is going to be a parade at 11 where the sox will drive through the south side of chicago, then they will end up down at the Chicago Board of trade where they will begin a ticker-tape thingy and wind up at a rally down by the Chicago river. Whole city is invited!!!! You already know I don’t really do crowds or standing, but I am excited anyway. I am proud for the city. 88 years is a long time to play the game without winning the big bananas!

I’m pretty sure Son #1 is going to be involved, since he works down at the board and LOVES the White sox! I found out that this week son #2 left the board, for at least a while. Son #1 said, that son #2 was under too much pressure and needed a change. He says that tanner has enough money to last him 6-12 months, but I’m not very clear what he is going to do with his time, beside trading. I suppose that will spell itself out after a while. He’s used to a bare minimum of a $50,000 income. That’s kind of hard to do with out. I just don’t see him becoming a store clerk after all that AND, he doesn’t hold a degree, though I would love to see him working on that again. We’ll see. Time willtell.

Ok, I guess by this time we’re just squandering time. Just finished eating a bowl of chicken something rice/noodles. Please don’t get drowsy, Pleasssse! But, I don’t want to say goodbye :(

Not every morning we get up wanting to write a paper. We’re avoiding. Aren’t we?

Hard to be a student if your not studenting. Maybe we could read? Hmm, need to write a paper. Maybe we could talk a little about something school-like and it would get us back into the mood? We’ve been working this last week or so trying to figure out what our final paper is going to be about. We’ve changed it a few times. Now we are thinking of writing something on the brain, memory, and emotions. That’s where the whole conversation started on neurotransmitters. I tried to figure out with Dr. M. Exactly where we wanted to go with it. I know that the hippocampus and the amygdala are important with the emotions. For a while, we were going to look more closely at fear. But, we decided to broaden it a little bit. I would need to be writing the paper at this point toward defining structures and systems. I don’t know enough to be asking specific research questions. I think it all based somewhat on wanting to know how the strong emotions we have had through the abuses has affected the way we remember things. Kind of a side drift to knowing how we store things, especially in a multiple system. Whatever model, we come to most accept, it has to take the multiplicity into consideration. I know I don’t want to get into the debates over the loftus’ people conception of false memories. Want to stay a jungle away from that mess.

Ok, I suppose we are not going to be able to figure it out until we start processing memory thoughts through the assignment. Guess, we better head down that road for a while. If you don’t see me come up, come after me!

 

YAYYYYY SOX!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  Ok, ok ... someone may

be just a little happy!!!

YAYYY SOX!!

          

WORLD CHAMPS!!!

 

Sox 1, Astros 0
  Sox on top of the world

By Mark Gonzales
Tribune staff reporter
Published October 27, 2005, 12:47 AM CDT

HOUSTON -- The White Sox completed their incredible conquest Wednesday night, eliminating the final demons that haunted the franchise since their last World Series title in 1917.

They completed their stunning run in a manner that mirrored their amazingly successful season, riding the pitching of Freddy Garcia and the bullpen to a 1-0 victory over Houston and completing a four-game sweep of the 2005 World Series.

"In sports, I haven't had a greater feeling," said general manager Ken Williams, whose transformation of a franchise to an emphasis on pitching and defense was rewarded greatly in the final game.

The players celebrated on the field and in the clubhouse, where Williams was doused with champagne after hoisting the World Series trophy.

"Enjoy it and be safe," slugger Paul Konerko advised several thousand fans who gathered behind the dugout to celebrate.

The Sox snapped the second-longest World Series drought in history. The longest dry spell, 97 years, belongs to the Cubs, followed by Cleveland at 57.

The Sox finished the season with an eight-game winning streak and with 16 wins intheir final 17 games dating back to the regular season. They also won their final 11 road games.

Their 11-1 mark is the second-best postseason mark. Only the 1976 Cincinnati Reds team that manager Ozzie Guillen idolized as akid in his native Venezuela won all seven postseason games.

This also marked the 19th time a team swept a Series opponent.

"We stuck together," designated hitter Carl Everett said. "Everyone was against us, but we didn't care."

Under the direction of Williams and Guillen, the Sox won their first American League Central title since 2000 with a league-best 99-63 record. They swept defending Series champion Boston in the AL Division Series and eliminated the Los Angeles Angels 4-1 in the AL Championship Series.

But Wednesday, the Sox didn't push across the winning run until the eighth, and they did it in their resourceful style.

In his first Series at-bat, Willie Harris, pinch-hitting for Garcia, poked a leadoff single off Brad Lidge and moved to second on Scott Podsednik's sacrifice.

With two outs, Jermaine Dye singled up the middle to score Harris and earn the Series' Most Valuable Player Award and a Chevrolet truck.

"It paid off," Bill Dye told his son before hugging him on the field. Dye batted .438 in the Series.

The Sox's bullpen carried the torch for Garcia, who yielded only four hits in seven innings and didn't run into serious trouble until the sixth, when he struck out Jason Lane with the bases loaded.

"I felt great in the bullpen," said Garcia, who yielded only two runs in his final 16 postseason innings. "I just wanted to make sure I got one run."

In the ninth, Lane led off with a single off rookie closer Bobby Jenks, making his fourth appearance in the Series. Lane moved into scoring position on Brad Ausmus' sacrifice, but shortstop Juan Uribe saved the victory for the Sox.

Uribe fearlessly ran over the short wall in foul territory to make a catch of pinch-hitter Chris Burke's popup.

But that paled in comparison to the magnitude of the next play, when Uribe charged a slow roller and fired to first to barely nail pinch-hitter Orlando Palmeiro and set off a wild celebration at the pitcher's mound.

"Uribe is one of the best shortstops in the league," Everett declared.

The Sox's advance scouts, led by Bryan Little, prepared the game plan that helped limit the Astros to a .203 batting average. Cleanup hitter Morgan Ensberg batted .111, leadoff batter Craig Biggio and Lane each hit .222, and shortstop Adam Everett was 1-for-15.

"To beat Boston, get four consecutive complete games against the Angels and then beat Houston in four, that's a cherry on top," pitching coach Don Cooper said.

"I'm going to celebrate and enjoy this until next spring training."

This was the first 1-0 game in a Series since Atlanta beat Cleveland in 1995.

"That type of game is like the ones I watched for 162 games during the regular season," champagne-soaked Guillen said.

Guillen steered the Sox on course after they lost nearly all of a 15-game lead on Aug. 1 and saw a 9 1/2-game lead shrink to 1 1/2 games during a 16-day span in September.

But they regained their momentum in the final five games of the regular season and never let up.

"We never had any egos on this team," said Dye, who came over as a free agent from Oakland.

"I think that was what was really special about this club."

mgonzales@tribune.com

AHA!

Danceband <---Click here (Just teasin V!)

 Way to GO V!!!!!!!!

WoooooooooooooHHHOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!    

Click here: THE OFFICIAL NOMINEES -- PART TWO    

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This Day in HISTORY!!!!

GOOOOO SOX!!!

         4-more

This is just a test

Pshwoo ok, here we are ... it is Friday afternoon and there is just 10 minutes on the work day.  I've been trying to get through some computer glitches.  Mostly because we are trying to figure out what we're doing with new options given by AOL and the new Merriam Webster site.  Somehow, I've gotten my school page to be on the top tab when I opened.  Oh yeah ... messin with AOL Explorer.  There is also a special Journal tab, so I just press it and it gives me a list of all my journals and a space to title and write an entry. 

Just a few essentials...

Good morning ... Real short note today; I only have 20 minutes. I am glad for help waking up, I was up too late yesterday. Unfortunately, the sox lost the first game. 8th inning wasn’t a crowd pleaser. That’s ok, I know they can do it!

I weighed in good this morning ... down 1.2 pounds ... we’ll take it ... we were pretty good yesterday. What else ... coffee’s hot, that’s all good.

I had a strange experience last night while I was watching the game. For some reason Chief did not come out and shag Missy from my lap! WoW! Missy was thinking she’d landed in heaven. Usually, she is lucky if she gets a five minute pet, but last night it was about a 45 minute pet ... lucky girl! She was so happy, she started preening herself while on my lap. I had to readjust once, but then she came back out to lay on my lap. Chief said ... enough of that though and shooed her off for his pet. Eh, that be the excitement portion of my evening. :)

I finished one homework assignment, but it took most of the day. I was the first one to hand it in which is unusual, it was already late Tuesday. Not sure what the problem is. Someone else handed in something this morning, but it wasn’t well-invested in. I hope there are others turned in that are more exciting. I got a lot out of doing the work.

Hmm, diet buddy is on-line ... I better wait to see if he’s communicating this morning. I’d rather not get my hopes up just to hear, I’m running late for a meeting.

I have to face work this morning. I had a bad dream last night that auditors came and discovered how backed up I was. I guess this is a tape from my guilty conscience. Think ... I can do it, I can do it. I also have to schedule a few more meetings. I’m really getting a little tired of all that.

In general, I am having a hard time wanting to do work anymore. I know I have to survive financially, but I need to re-motivate our minds ... I don’t think I like so much the rut-like feeling. I would like to start today off thinking, "I am going to accomplish something." It would mean having to look at either Qnotes or Annual reports. I don’t know which is more important at the moment. Could try both, but that would mean too much switching gears which eats up time. Better stick with the Qnotes. Sister could have my head though either way.

Ok, better stop that part ... likely, to spend another day I can’t get out the door.

Let’s think of something positive. Hmm. Well, as far as I know, I beat the Wednesday school deadlines. That’s pretty good, but I still have reading to do. That’s not so good. Positive?? Well, I’ve been surprised with a few new visitors to my journal. That makes me happy. I am glad that you are stopping by. :) Thank you.

We do a lot of going back and forth over the positive and the not so positive. Please don’t get scared of us ... we are more sane than insane. Though sometimes this could be called to doubt. Anyways ... friend has a few moments, so I will be scadoodling. Thanks for being here.

Jotting down a few thoughts

Good morning. I just wanted to write a little update. I am giving myself 45 minutes to do so. I ended up calling in sick today, because I could not get through my mind that many hours away from school work. I really messed up yesterday in not having gotten too much done. Something must have gotten done. Just having a hard time remembering. I know that I went to Dr. M’s in the morning, stopped by to do some errands, and that I was commenting to a peer when my friend walked in at 3 pm. Then he left about 6:30 pm and I did something on the computer after, but am not to sure what it was. I was trying to study the school thing this morning and I have been reading, but somewhere in all that I felt I was in a daze and sleepy. Maybe someone was paying attention??

I had been finishing up yesterday’s coffee, but I figured I could afford now to start up a fresh pot. Trying to remember what we talked to V. About ... just remember something about worrying over my grades. That can’t be good :(

I did take my medicines about 10 minutes ago. Maybe that will help.

I feel such a strong urge to want to be concentrating on school. I remember something was said to Dr. M. About something. Not sure. He told us we should take some breaks and get away from it. But, I was afraid for the foggy periods like I’m feeling now. Hours slip past and I’m not sure what is happening. Sometimes I can see progress at other times not. I really wanted to get done with some serious reading yesterday and Sunday. I’m not so sure of yesterday, but it took us a long time to get through reading done on Sunday. Saturday was spent finishing up the work of last week. I got both assignments finished, but just by the hair of my chinie-chin-chin. *Sigh*

I remember saying something to Dr. M. About how I really enjoy studying. Hmm, think we said the same to our friend. Sometimes though I’m appalled that we slipped of into unconsciousness. I look at the clock and see that we’re again missing time. Or, more often than not, I find that we are back at the courseroom, looking around to see if anyone’s dropped by with new thoughts.

We have a great conversation started with one of our peers in multi-cultural, but I read something this morning about white people intellectualizing. I think I’ve been doing that ... I want to understand with words exactly what is happening. I can easily see somebody get upset and say, "That’s racism!" But, I want to know what they mean. All my life, I’ve just thought, "Be nice!" I don’t feel in this course that is enough. We have to figure out underneath where we are at. I guess for further understanding, I’ll just point to the direction of our other journal. You’ll find it under, "something Grad student."

In the other course, we spent a lot of Sunday time trying to understand the different structures and contents of the brain. Trying to give ourselves a little break for just breaking through the surface. Most people interested have spent more time figuring it out. I feel a sense of panic in only having spent one day. I needed to really study it hard. Needed to figure out all these places they were talking about ... then there was all these systems, like limbic system and peripheral nervous system, and such. I look back now and I struggle to think of the limbic system hold three other parts of the brain. But, it’s a harder struggle to come up with the names. So, it’s making me feel kind of on the dumb system. At least, at this point, I can look back into the book and realize some sense of familiarity. I can leap from page to page looking for a diagram I am holding in my brain. But, somethings confuse me. Like if they say the cerebral cortex processes thinking ... I don’t get an understanding of how that happens. I want details, but not to have my mind blow away. I’ve gotten as far as knowing there are synapses between neurotransmitters do something ... hmm, are they the chemical messages being shot out the neuron. It’s this kind of fuzzy knowledge that is weighing me down at the second. In order to hold images of what is happening I need to draw on words to hold my structures together, but my framing system looks like Swiss Cheese. :( It makes more sense as I am reading it, but again, I need to go over it and over it again to hold any sense of it. While all the time, I know I have to stop to get the hard reading in. Hmm, maybe it will make more sense then, because I will hear how all these things are put together? I wouldn’t though count on me for brain surgery any time soon, unless it be "I" who is the patient!

I am feeling a competition between the two courses too. I want to be wherever I am at the time being, while always realizing I should be checking in on the other. There is so much work to be done in both.

I have 15 more minutes, than it will be 8 am. A good time to start up again, but maybe I should figure out now my game plan. I finished the cognitive lab project. AND, the teacher has written back saying because I was the first, my way of doing it must have been right so I get an "A." Can’t go wrong with logic like that. BUT, he told the class we would work on lab projects and journal entries opposite weeks, so I don’t have that to do, and although I read the chapter there isn’t any regular discussion questions. Is this right? I have also not read the other 3 sources that are required reading. So, I guess for the Cog course, I have to read about 60-75 pages without a specific means of conveying what I have or have not understood about the brain.

In the other course, I have five more chapters to read. I think we can answer Wednesday’s questions from the first chapter. I looked and so far no one has handed in the assignment. Maybe, I should do that one first. I’m only 12 pages away from finishing that first chapter. Hmm, that should take me up to about noon. Maybe for the next 5 hours, then I can go back to the cog reading. But, when will I finish the other 4 chapters of multi? That will take some time. Better plan a few more hours (after 5 and before 8 to be reading some more of that, then I can get up in the morning to munch down another piece of it. The reading for multi- is much easier than the reading for cog.

Ok, it is a plan, scheduling in a washroom trip NOW!!!

Ahh, hot steam fresh coffee on the return. YAYYYY Coffee!!!

Let’s see 7 minutes. Maybe I should plan ahead so I still have time to read the post. Ok, ok ... that’s a plan!

AHA!!! Less we forget GOOOOOO SOX!!!  7 PM tonight!!!!

 

YAYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY!!!!!

(Son #1 and Granddaughter #1 at Sox Park!)

Go White Sox

White Sox 5, Red Sox 3

1st-round KO
White Sox sweep away World Series champions; next stop, the ALCS

By Mark Gonzales
Tribune staff reporter
Published October 7, 2005, 11:12 PM CDT

BOSTON -- The White Sox pulled off their most stunning and complete pillage Friday night in one of baseball's most revered villages.

A culmination of timely hitting that involved muscle and finesse, as well as the resurrection of postseason pitching legend Orlando Hernandez, capped a 5-3 victory over 2004 World series champion Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park to complete a three-game sweep in the American League Division Series.

"Every time you win a round, it gets better," said A.J. Pierzynski, who hit a double and scored an insurance run on Juan Uribe's suicide squeeze bunt in the ninth inning. "But to win against these guys, the way we did it and playing the way we did, was amazing.

"We have two rounds to go, and hopefully we can do this two more times."

The Sox's celebration was understandably rowdier than their AL Central-clinching party Sept. 29 in Detroit.

The Sox won their first postseason series since winning the 1917 World Series.

And they extended their winning streak to eight games, dating to Sept. 28.

"At this point, I call it a train," designated hitter Carl Everett said. "Get on it, and keep riding it."

The Sox never were as resourceful as they were Friday. "El Duque" Hernandez, who was nearly left off the postseason roster because of his late-season ineffectiveness, bailed his teammates out of a bases-loaded, no-out jam in the sixth and pitched two more scoreless innings.

"I was hoping we could get out of it with a run," Chairman Jerry Reinsdorf said while soakedwith champagne. "I have to give [manager Ozzie Guillen] credit. There was very serious debate whether El Duque was on the roster, but Ozzie and [pitching coach] Don Cooper wanted him and [general manager] Kenny Williams deferred to [them]. He came up big."

Twelve of the Sox's players had playoff experience entering the ALDS, and they kept their composure throughout the series. They kept their poise in rallying from a 4-0 deficit in Game 2, and they weren't rattled when Boston sluggers David Ortiz and Manny Ramirez hit consecutive homers off starter Freddy Garcia in the fourth inning Friday to tie the game.

But after Ramirez's second home run in the sixth and left-hander Damaso Marte loaded the bases, Guillen opted for Hernandez, who lowered his ERA to 2.57 in 18 career postseason appearances.

"He's the only experienced guy in the bullpen," Guillen said. "I wasn't afraid, but players get nervous … anxious, and I was a little worried about it. He's a big-time, postseason player. He has cold blood."

That was the only tense moment for the Sox, who silenced a usually fervent Fenway crowd with clutch hitting, solid defense and formidable rookie closer Bobby Jenks.

"This team is special in the playoffs," said injured Frank Thomas, who sprayed champagne with his teammates while wearing a cast on his left foot. "They went through the worst time in September and built character. They're loose again. It's just like the first part of the season when the wins were coming, and everyone was saying, 'Is this team is for real?' It's for real. I wish I were playing."

Guillen deflected credit to his players.

"Every day was somebody different," Guillen said. "I feel proud of the players. They busted their tails for the fans. They never panicked."

The same Sox team that batted only .259 with runners in scoring position batted .416 in that situation in the ALDS.

They took a 2-0 lead in the third on four consecutive two-out hits.

But their most unselfish display of offense came in the ninth after Pierzynski hit a double and moved to third on Joe Crede's sacrifice.

Uribe, who ignited the third-inning rally with a double, laid down a suicide squeeze bunt on a 2-1 pitch for the insurance run.

Batting coach Greg Walker, who played on the 1983 Sox team that won 99 games but was eliminated in the ALCS, put the Sox's conquest in perspective.

"It'sunbelievable," Walker said while holding a bottle of champagne.

"When we went to spring training this year, everyone picked us fourth. [The Red Sox] are the kings of the country, and rightfully so. To beat them, that's pretty special."

mgonzales@tribune.com

Copyright © 2005, Chicago Tribune

Late Night Notes

Good evening! I rarely ever write in the evening, but I found myself with a free half-hour with full knowledge I am not up to reading. I also wanted to check in before Deb, got to wondering if I fell off the edge of the earth. Hi Deb! Thanks for coming back!

So far, so good in the schoolwork department. I am happy to say I had in before I left for work the papers due at midnight for each course. YAYYYY. We were so happy that we sang off-tune all the way to work!  Unfortunately, I spent a good deal of the remaining day worrying about the work. I think I handed in pretty good stuff for each, but I was one of the earliest in both courses. I have checked back in often to the rooms looking to see if anyone else has written yet. So far, only handfuls of the combined 46 students. :( Kind of makes me feel lonely. I imagine there are already people working at this late hour to get things in on time. Sure would be nice if I could keep this up, but there are difficulties ahead. I would really like to save Saturday and Sunday to completing reading work, but it seems I might need some of that time to finish up the week. I would like to think theoretically, I could do it. I am under the thought that beside more reading I have to turn in two more papers, do a computer cognition lab, and submit some kind of journal entry. The due date on all this is Saturday. We’ll see. Don’t want to go to bed worrying about it now.

The multi-cultural teacher left a pretty unsubstantial note welcoming me to the course. She Is giving all learners the same dumb two-line note. So far, no show of personality. I think it is a woman ... the name is something like Lajean Jean. Who knows? Jean (one is sufficient) goes by the name Dr. Jean ... yikes! The other teacher we’re hoping is much more loose. We figure he’s got to be pretty smart to be teaching a course on thinking about thinking. Hehehe. But, he is taken with calling us his "special class," has gotten up at 1:30 am this morning to reiterate that fact, and he pulled a joke this morning about being 99 years old. Thadda Boy!!! I’ve got the idea from a few papers he has looked at of my peers that he gives out A’s-90-100% - Excellents, B’s-80-89% - Good, C’s 70-79% -so-so’s. You gotta imagine straight up, we’re going for the gusto!

Not to much else is on our mind. Our sweetie-pie has gone fishin! Woe-Poor-me. The best thing about fishing is that I get the feeling I am treating him pretty darn good, if I don’t complain! Really, there is no reason to, other than I really don’t care for fishies. Rule #1 ... he goes fishing ... we stay home and do something practical! Hehehe He left at 6 am this morning, he said he’d be on the lake at noon, and he just ain’t comin back until the job is done! Teasing ... actually he’s coming back sometime on Sunday. We’re hopin he wins the big final tournament this weekend. In that neck of the woods, they decide winners according to fish ounces captured! :) and, if anyone is interested, he is using super sneaky pink line!

Nothing on V. Mostly, because he reads this journal and maybe would surprise me with umm, frustration if I didn’t get his name off my front cover. Just for the record V. Last Happy birthday to you!

Yes, I am at a grand age in my life. Noone gets mad at me anymore, cept the boss, and instead people just get frustrated. I think that is one step up from mad. Maybe two. The neatest part is that everyone seems to be getting ummm frustrated, but they use their indoor voices! Wow!

We had a good Doc appointment Monday, in that, middle to old age parts were out. Whoever did so much work on reading the hard pages was out to discuss the work. I am glad to report, he was thinking it was hard stuff too! No fun doing hard stuff if everyone is thinking of it as easy.

Well, that’s about it for now. Oh yeah! Don’t forget Friday we get to eat out at the rib place! YAYYYYY! Plus teacher store ... I have my big 30 guacamoles lined up for quick spending. I’m pretty sure they don’t have any soft chairs to be resting on, though Sr. Likes to spend at minimum a good half hour in the tiny store.

Oh, there’s one piece of sad news too. My big work computer had to go to the computer hospital today. They expect she might be released on Friday. She had a terminal problem and they need to do a brain transplant. She most likely won’t have use of the programs, but they say she’s retained file memory. As you could expect we’re all a little weepy. Please no cards or flowers, send your prayers instead.