The Soap Box
A place for me to dump my brain and you to pick thru it

I Think I'm in Trouble
10:27am

Uh, I'm reading some stuff that I wrote for my comps a few weeks ago and I don't understand it. I'm screwed.

Earlier tonight, I was unplugging my computer from the wall so I could bring it upstairs to the toasty warm bedroom and when I unplugged the thing, I slammed my hand into the leg of a table. YEOCH! Then, I picked up my carrying case with over 100 articles I'm using for my comps all nicely organized and the damn thing wasn't latched closed and half the articles fell out! UGH! I'm telling you, I don't think I can win for losing tonight.

Family Support
10:46am

Here is how my cats support me while I am going nuts getting my comprehensive exam done. They just crawl up on the table on which I am working and plop down on my stuff. Seriously, can that possibly be comfortable? I mean he's practically got pencils sticking into his groin and his head on a 3-hole punch. Whatever. I enjoy the company.

Happy Birthday to Me!
11:45pm

Yes, today was my birthday and I spent the evening with Blue Man Group. And to prove it, here are some pics:

And now it's time for bed...and then tomorrow, back to comps :( I only have 8 days left before I have to pass them in. Gotta sleep while I can.

More Breast Stuff
11:01pm

Apparently my last entry resonated with a reader (I will let him or her identify himself/herself if he or she wishes.) so I thought I'd say more about it.

My grandmother died of breast cancer and her sister was diagnosed with it 25+ years ago. The sister is still suffering from it but she's a tough chick and refuses to give in (good for you!). Because there is breast cancer on my mom's side of the family, it's been one of those things in the back of my mind for years. I actually got my first mammogram when I was about 38 for a baseline. It turns out my tissue is dense and they can't actually see anything but I guess that's beside the point. Right before I was to turn 41, I asked for a referral for another mammogram. The woman who was doing the annual women's stuff didn't think it was necessary but lectured me on how important calcium is. So I explain to her "yeah, I have breast cancer in my family, not osteoporosis, but thanks." This year, I got the referral but I kept putting off getting the mammogram. I mean, they are unpleasant. For those of you how have never had one, they basically squish your boob between two pieces of plastic that act like a vise. I'm serious. Sometimes they can get a little of your side or underarm wenched in there for good measure. And then, of course, the technician runs out of the room and behind a lead wall and leaves you attached to the machine by your mammaries. You couldn't pry yourself out of that machine if your life depended on it.

So I was watching the Today Show some time in October, National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and Hoda Kotb (Yes, her name is spelled Kotb and pronounced Kot-Bee), one of the hosts during the 4th our (yes, there is a 4th our to the Today Show) openly discussed that she had had a mastectomy earlier this year. She showed her personal video diary of the whole process and I have to say, I was really taken by the honesty of the whole thing. The main thought I had was, "I don't want to go through that." I actually called up the mammogram people before the show was even over and scheduled my appointment.

The funny thing is, I was sooooo dreading going there. I mean there's paperwork to fill out, insurance stuff to figure out, getting undressed and wearing one of those lamo gowns, having someone handle your breasts in a very awkward and far from sexy way, etc, etc, etc. However, this year I was in and out in 15 minutes...literally. I walked in the door and was walking out 15 minutes later. The place I went to has it down to an art! I have to say, I felt pretty good about the experience and I know I won't be so hesitant next year. And it's always GREAT to get those letters back a few weeks later saying everything looks normal. I pray those letters never change. If anyone is local and wants the name of the place I went to, I'd be happy to share it with you. Just ask.

Just Some Random Ramblings...
8:10pm

I'm giving myself an hour to do nothing before seriously hitting the comps. Lucky for me, there's a Melissa Etheridge concert on Logo.

I think I started this blog December 2001, which means this blog is almost 6 years old. Over the years, I've received countless requests for people to add their link or to trade links, etc. and no, I don't do that. Nor do I care if people link to me. For me, blogging is not part of a game where the person with the most links wins. The links I have on this page are more for my own convenience than to advertise for other people. The other blogs listed are ones I visit regularly. There are other blogs I visit every day that aren't listed. Those belong to people I know IRL and are more interested in keeping family and friends up to date than looking for blog domination. A lot of the stuff is inside stuff that you really wouldn't be able to follow unless you knew the person so why bother linking to them when I have them bookmarked. Also, if you don't update your blog at least weekly, I don't link to it. Just a personal choice.

OK, so why am I blathering on about links, etc? This is why. I got a request to blog about something recently from someone I don't even know. My first instinct is to throw it away. However, because this particular person actually used my correct first name, instead of writing to "Dear JenBen," I took a look at it before clicking "Delete." It turns out I was being asked to blog about the Albuquerque Komen Community Challenge. For those of you who don't know, this has to do with the fight to find a cure to breast cancer. Now, I don't talk about my breasts much, but they are something that are near and dear to my heart (bad pun. sorry). Seriously, I would be devastated if I were ever diagnosed with breast cancer. I do get the mammograms, perhaps not as regularly as I should, but I did get one this year on October 31st, the last day of Breast Cancer Awareness month. (Everything checked out BTW. I know you were dying to know).

So anyway, I just wanted to pass on that on Wednesday, November 28th, from noon to 2pm at the National Hispanic Cultural Center here in ABQ, you can attend a forum called "Close the Gap!" which discusses how every woman in New Mexico can receive proper screening and care in terms of breast cancer. For more information, click on the banner below.

Let It Snow
8:10pm

It started snowing last night. It's so beautiful when it snows in the desert. It even smells good. We're all full of turkey and stuffing and gravy and mashed potatoes and green beans and gingerbread and scones. Mmmmm...

Comps can wait until tomorrow...

Yes, I'm Alive
7:14pm

I have 17 days to finish my comps so it's mostly heads-down. Sorry to be so boring. If I get the time, I'll post a pic of what my cats do while I'm working.

Just Shoot Me
10:43am

I have given myself just 24 days to finish my comprehensive exam, which consists of writing a 50 page research paper. I think it's possible to finish if I don't get sick and the good Lord willing, and the creek don't rise and the levees don't break and I spend every free minute writing this behemoth. The problem is that progress is soooooo freakin' slow! If I can get out a page and a half in a day, that's a good day. However, seeing so little accomplished after so many hours is disheartening. On top of that, a friend of mine is doing the NaNoWriMo thing and has written over 20,000 words this month...let me repeat that. She has written over 20,000 words THIS MONTH! And it's only the 13th! That sure makes me feel like a loser. I did appreciate her suggestion that I could boost my output by adding sex scenes, but, alas, that is wildly inappropriate.

So anyway, this next 24 days is going to be a lot of work, a lot of procrastinating (because, let's face it, I'm human) and a lot of bitching. However, if I do finish it by December 7th, I'm gonna have one awesome holiday season and winter break!

Question of the Day
1:36pm

Can you plagiarize yourself?

The Apple Store is EVIL!
8:43pm

I have an iPod mini. It's my second iPod. I had one of those behemoth first generation ones before that. I'm really quite happy with my mini. It has plenty of room and still works great. Yeah, it's B&W and I can't really watch video or anything but who cares, right? Well tonight I went to the Apple store in ABQ and played with those little square iPods they have out now. And shit, they are cool. And pretty. And colorful. And light. And I thought to my self, well, good thing I don't have one of these because I'd probably lose it. And then I played with the interface...and FELL IN LOVE! That interface is slicker than shit. That's the one complaint I have about my iPod is that the interface is very inexact and I'm forever either overshooting the artist I want or I can't seem to get down the list to get it.

Anyway, now I have total iPod Nano 3rd generation lust and no disposable cash. I can't even really make a case for getting a new one since the old one really does work and was an anniversary present from Nick and is engraved in the back and so has sentimental value as well. I just wish now I'd never gone in the Apple store. Jerks! Why do they have to have such a seductive store in my town?

How To Make a Battery In Your Own Stomach Using Just a Penny
11:47am

Who said science isn't fun?

Check this out.

I'm Officially Old
9:49am

I had to get progressive lenses yesterday. Waaah! My stupid eyes, I swear, the day I turned 40, they stopped being able to focus close up on text. I have somehow avoided the dreaded progressive lenses for 2 years but I seriously cannot read small type anymore. I remember being a little kid and having and "old person" ask me to read some small type. I always thought, "Boy! They must be REALLY old and decrepit if they can't read that!" ANd now I'm the old and decrepit person!

To add insult to injury, progressive lenses cost a fricken $300! WTH? I practically have to re-mortgage my house to get these new old-fart glasses. Grrrrr.

Blog Name: The Soap Box
Email: jenben[at]g-r-c.com
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