soundhack

I have recently started dating someone I met on an online dating site. It started off a bit off-and-on, but lately its heated up quite a bit. To my surprise (mostly pleasant), she told me that she was saving herself for her future husband. Now that may not be that shocking---although in this day and age I think it is rare---but she is not some teenage or even 20 something. She is a 30 something professional. Granted, she  hasn't had much dating experience, but still I think it is amazing that she is still a virgin.

I think most guys would have one of two reactions--- 1) give up and go find someone "easy" 2) think of it as a challenge and try to get her to sleep with them. I personally was touched by her commitment, and having come off a relationship where my SO couldnt have enough sex, I think her no-sex rule is just about right, at least for now. I'm no longer young, though, so I kind of want to settle down and raise a family soon. So the clock is ticking...

I teach during the summers in Boston, two classes in fact. one in web development and one in robotics. I've taught the former for 8 years now and the latter for 3, and suffice to say I am getting bored with the webcourse. Not coincidentally I guess is the fact that I got a real negative feedback a few days ago about my teaching style, which I am still puzzling over. I've been teaching this for so long that perhaps I am blinded by routine, but I've also gotten accustomed to recommendations and suggestions that are often diamterically opposed. Some say it is too easy, some say it's too hard, others say I should follow the textbook closer, others say I need to not cover textbook material.

In anycase the bottom line is you can't please everyone all the time, and I stopped trying a while ago. Still, it is a downer to get negative feedback regardless of its validity. I spoke to my supervisor and we both agreed next year I will move on and teach another, more advanced class. The robotics class I have been getting high marks, so I will continue to teach that. I just have to figure out another course to teach!

What a difference a day makes. Went to the State Department doctor to get the results of my blood/urine tests as well as get a physical. I've had retinal tears in the past, all corrected easily with laser surgery, but the doctor pretty much told me that will probably block my appointment, because foreign service officers are expected to be deployed anywhere in the world, including places with limited medical facilities.

He still suggested I get my doctor to send him a summary report, but I've gone from flying high to pretty much depressed in the span of a day.

To top it off, my current job is winding down and I don't have many other prospects, this was close to my last hope.  I've been moping around in my hotel all evening, can't wait till I get back to San Diego tomorrow night and go on a road trip to LA over the weekend to take my mind off things.

Well, I passed the State Department exam, and if all goes well I'll be able to take assignments all over the world. The work would be boring, mostly consular stuff at first (stamping passports I guess), but I'll be able to move around the world rent-free, which is cool, because frankly I'm tired of living in the US. And with the economy tanking the way it is, it might not be a moment too soon.

There were plenty of people who said they'ld leave the country if Bush gets elected, I may be 7 years late, but the way he messed up this country, it will take years (if ever) to fix.

Other than Iraq or Afghanistan, I wouldnt mind being sent to any country in the world.

Stuck in DC over the weekend (actually Boston too). Freezing MAO, it's snowing/sleeting. Miss San Diego and the nice weather.

I am practically in-between jobs now, and have some seriously hard decisions to make, as to where to go from here---continue on my boring career as government shill, or do something more part-time but interesting waiting for a big break in a startup.

What I want to do most of all is go work for the Foreign Service and get sent all over the world, meet new people (women especially! :) and see the sights. Final step is in January, wish me luck :)

If anyone from San Diego (preferably female, but I promise I wont bite) bothers to read this, please drop me a line. I would love to chat with more San Diegans, especially if I have to leave our fair city soon .