Reason Breeds Insanity

It feels a bit like something a motivational speaker would say. But I have to say that I was intrigued to hear it come from the mouth of a coworker of mine who is graduating from Taylor University. He said that quote is one of the best things he learned in college. I guess unlike the movie Reality Bites, and so many of us in Gen X, David learned more than his social security number. One of his professors said to them (the students in the class) that if they wanted something to happen, like a change or an improvement, they should ask themselves what they are doing to help foster that change. What are you doing about it today?

I would like to finish my Ph.D. one day, but what am I doing about it today? So short of only remembering xxx-xx-xxxx, what else am I doing today to make the world a bit better?

We go Monday afternoon to have the house inspected. In the mean time, it is being appraised and inspected for bugs. I am amazed at how much is involved in buying a house. Wow! I have nothing else to say really, but I may not write for a while because I have to get crackin’ on that research project. It will be finished by June 18.

The Front Stairway-not to be confused with the goat stairs in the back

The Dining Room with a Bay Window Seat for Me

The House from the McCullough- turn around and you’ll see the river and possibly me kayaking

The Kitchen, or Becky’s Domain

The Living Room with the wonderfully artifical gas log fireplace that was once a beautiful wood burning fireplace

(Mimi, the cat, helped with the title)

Our offer was accepted, so now all we have to do is wait for inspections, appraisals, the mortgage, and the closing. I hope all goes well, but so far it has been relatively painless (no rubber gloves or face masks). I am already planning the house warming: a keg of Guinness, a keg of Blue Moon Ale, red velvet cake from Concannon’s since it will be near my birthday, and possibly some QL’s since we will live right down the road. Oh, yeah. I love it. Two blocks to Concannon’s, five or six to the Heorot, and about half a mile to QL’s. What else could a fat kid ask for?

Becky is supposed to hear from Medical Consultants in Muncie about a job. They are supposed to call either today or tomorrow. Think happy thoughts for her. I am sure they will call tomorrow and tell her she has a job, but I am a little biased. I just want her to be happy in her work and confident in herself. And I know she wants to hurry up and finish her degree. Look for a party in Spring of 2009!

I am on my way to work again. Tonight is floor-set. I work from midnight to 2AM. When you go to SBUX in the morning, there will be entirely new, yet still unnecessary, commodities for your perusal. And hopefully you will purchase something so that I can keep working! By the way, there will be some new coffee. Check out the Black Apron. Mmmmmmm, good. And it’s not even Campbell’s soup!

My assistantship starts tomorrow, and I am working at the mission in the afternoon. I plan to have my entire Ph.D. application turned in by Friday. That way I can begin working bit by bit on this paper that I keep putting off! Augh! How I hate to write research papers! 😉 I love the research; it is the writing that will kill a person. All this and a new house.

I’ll keep you posted.

For those of you who don’t already know, Becky and I have been looking for a house to buy. We found one that we love, so we go tomorrow morning to meet with Tina, our realtor, to draw up a proposal, get appraisal information, get inspector information, and generally sign our lives away.
The house we love is at 106 E. McCullough in Muncie. It was built in 1908 and is right along the White River and the Cardinal Greenway (White River Cantilever section). We will be able to walk to the Heorot, which is so important, and I will be able to buy a kayak and a life jacket to go River kayaking (no rapids) which will make me very happy. There is a wrap around porch, so on my days off I will be able to drink my morning coffee and smoke a clove while sitting out looking at the River. All we will need to add is a fence around the back yard for all THREE dogs.
Yes, I said all THREE dogs. How can you resist a beautifully stray Australian Shepherd (his new name is Sydney), who just shows up at your house? He is getting groomed right now, and will be going to the vet tomorrow. And soon he will come back from the vet with two fewer of his closest friends!
Anyway, that is the update. That is where we are. I’ll keep you posted.

We are in Indianapolis waiting for my brother to run the mini-marathon. It starts at 7:30AM, but he had to be in line by 7AM. Of course, I took the opportunity to visit the local Starbucks. On my way, I stopped at another SBUX in our district to get a white mocha and had a horrible experience, but this stop at Conseco’s SBUX was great. I know the guy who is the shift here from somewhere. Probably from an SBUX party or something. Maybe the Oasis last summer. Anyway, it is 7:15, so I bet Adam is getting nervous. I hope he does well.