So I’ve finished my first full week of school.  A few minor issues here and there, but nothing critically damaging.  I’m setting in to some patterns and routines, keeping up with my school work, and my first couple of quizzes have gone well.

I’ve been sort of holding off on updating because I have this really exciting new project happening, and part of that project is commentary and observation about my experiences as a 40 year old college freshman.  Those of you who know me can probably see where I’m going with this.  I had hoped to have the ‘big surprise’ of that project up and ready to roll today, but due to several different species of mechanical difficulty it doesn’t appear as though things are going to happen that way.  Which…not that big a deal I suppose, just sets me back a bit in terms of generating some income from this new endeavor, which is something I’m hoping to do with it.

I appreciate everyone sort of bearing with me as I get myself in order and get things attended to as best I can.  There are tons of people I need to go see and talk to, but right now I have to stay focused on keeping school in line and keeping bills paid, or I’m not going to be able to go see other people, or keep my apartment, or anything else.  I’ve got one small round of groceries and my bills for end of the month to take care of, and then I’m broke.  I don’t want to have to worry about that crap while I’m trying to focus on school.  This new project goes hand in hand with school and might even generate me some class credit along the way, so at least it’s got that going for it.

I’m not as stressed as I was two weeks ago.  I can do this, I’m sure of that.  I mean, I’m capable intellectually.  Whether I’m capable financially is going to be the big question. 

Classes are going well.  The worst of them doesn’t suck, and some are actually pretty cool.  I need to get around and see more advisors and what-not in the coming couple of weeks, but right now I’m mainly focused on keeping up with my schoolwork and the work I’m doing on this new project.  I wanted to be further ahead with it than I am by now, but *shrug*  I’ve scrapped and re-started the thing a half-dozen times already…and then when I found a way to do it that I knew I was going to stick with, the whole thing broke on me and I probably can’t fix it until tomorrow, and of course I can’t go back to *work* on it until tomorrow either.

I’ve done nothing socially.  I’m not really holding my breath on being rushed for TKE or anything.  My time and my money are limited right now.  That’s life.  I’m not sure how “social” I want to be anyway, there’s a very thin line between “non-traditional student” and “creepy old guy.”  A woman could definitely do better than me, anyway.

I think that’s about it for the long, in-depth update LOL.  I’m just kind of hamstrung at the moment because I want to hold off on discussing some things until there’s actually something to discuss.  I haven’t really had time or energy to pay close attention to the things I normally do, like politics and social issues, lately, and consequently I haven’t cut any new rants.  As I’ve been wanting to do something different with those as well – step out of this angry box I’ve locked myself in to – it’s been rather easier to just leave it all to one side for a moment so I can remain properly organized and focused.

I appreciate people not taking it personally when I’m not around…believe me, I know how much it gets under my skin when I think someone’s blowing me off, and I’m sure it doesn’t feel any better to anyone else.  I’m honestly not trying to blow anyone off or ignore anyone or avoid anyone, I’m just trying to keep a very tight focus.  I’m sort of walking a high wire with no net here, and while I might wave or holler while I walk, every time I get distracted I start wobbling.

As I get my feet more firmly beneath me, I’ll be more able to pay attention to other things in my life, like all the friends and family I want and even need to see.  Trust me, heading out to Dan Jager’s for some mo’ Moe or off to see any of the dozens of other family and friends I need to hook up with is where I’d be right now if I had the time, but hell it’s taken me two weeks just to write a half-way decent blog update.

That’s really all there is to report at the moment.  Until this technical issue with the project is resolved, I’m kind of dead in the water there.  I am looking very carefully at Finland to study internationally, but *almost* certainly not until I’m working on my master’s.  Their system of government and rapid reforms they’ve undergone in the last twenty years or so are pretty amazing, and they’ve created a solid, strong population by using – and oftentimes improving on – some ideas and concepts that most Americans like to think of as being “American.”  In some cases they’re right, in others not so much.  Either way, I think a careful analysis and understanding of the Finnish system is in order; the resulting lessons to be parsed back here in the US are valuable and fascinating.  I’ll need to work a bit with WMU to see about taking Finnish and so forth, but I’m pretty sure Finland will still be there by the time I get things worked out.

My grateful thanks to everyone who has contributed and continues to contribute through this site.  Knowing that people are out there watching and pulling for me is incredibly empowering.  Thank you.