It's Not Over? And Why Now?

You remember that church controversy from a few posts ago? It's back. And this time, I'm pretty sure I have to have a sit down with the preacher, or at least send an email expressing some concerns. And I'm not sure that the two branches of the main family in the church aren't cruising for a schism of sorts. All of this with the greatest timing in the world.

When we left off, my preacher's attempts to start a new Sunday School class went behind the back of the Sunday School superintendent. The new developments reveal that had my preacher gone to him, she would have found out that he was already working on it. And then she presented her proposal for new Sunday School books. Problem: they are from the national UCC church. Mt. Tabor also has a Lutheran congregation, thus, we don't use denominational resources in the Sunday School unless both national churches worked together on them. So there are some hurt feelings on that front.

And then, my preacher, with one of the two family branches, submitted a float into the Rocky Ridge parade a week and a half ago. This would not have been a problem, except she submitted it as the Sunday School float. And since there have been some perceived slights on the part of the other family branch, well, you can see where this is going. Straight off a cliff. One off which lemmings wouldn't jump.

So I get to deal with this as I start grad school.  Well, insert expletive here. If any of you have any advice as to handle the church issue, I'm all ears (well, eyes if you post a comment). But don't make this your problem.

And on the note of timing, kudos to Obama for his. I chuckled when I saw he sent out the Biden announcement at 3 a.m. I wonder how Hillary feels about it.

I Survived Boot Camp (But Got No T-Shirt)

Boot camp is over. And I am very glad I attended, and not just for the stipend I received.

Last night, to celebrate the end of boot camp, those of us who are incoming first-year graduate students, and our TAs for boot camp, had a little party at the on-campus apartment of the women in the group. There were snacks and alcohol (sorry to disappoint anyone, but I did not partake of the latter), and generally a good time to hang out with our colleagues.

So now that boot camp is over, I have some business to take care of in Frederick County, and will probably get my university ID card tomorrow. Then it's orientation next week, classes start the week after, and maybe I can actually do something on the "new front." Oh, and Jon and Adam move to their new place sometime in there.

Onward to Frederick (and a quick retreat away).

The End is Near (for Boot Camp, Anyway)

Well, boot camp ends this week, allegedly on Wednesday. And I have to say the experience has been useful. I've been able to review analysis, freshen up on my linear algebra skills, and get a small preview of graduate level work. Now I have to prepare for actual graduate classes. But first, orientation next week.

And could someone please explain to me why Hillary's supporters are upset that Obama won't retire her campaign debt. The last time I checked, it is Senator Clinton's problem, not Senator Obama's.

A Late Night?

Well, another Friday, another cancelled morning class. So I get to sleep in, which is why I can be up this late posting this. This, and work on some math problems. Interesting that after college, 11 p.m. is late.

As boot camp winds down, I finally got my orientation schedule. Day one is finalizing registration, filling out payroll and health insurance forms (I need to decide on a plan yet), and taking care of general business with the university. The bulk of the rest of orientation is TA training. And one session is a sexual harassment training seminar. Sounds like fun, although I could make it more interesting by sharing some of my "observations" (I believe most people reading this know what I mean).

Unfortunately, the end of boot camp and the beginning of the actual semester are marred by family events. As of this evening, I have reason to be worried about my sister. I feel posting details here would be inappropriate, but I will let the people I expect to read this know via AIM or email if they ask. (Don't worry, she's not pregnant or in trouble with the law, that I know of.)

But now, it's back to the linear algebra.

Fall Classes

I have signed up for classes for the semester. I will be taking Real Analysis, Complex Analysis, Partial Differential Equations, and the Teaching Assistant Seminar. Depending on the workload, I may drop Real Analysis and just sit in on it. Thus, I should be able to take the analysis qualifier in January (which means no social life between Christmas and the exam).

On a happier note, I had a very enjoyable trip to Baltimore last night (thanks for the ride, Jon). I saw the usual gang (Jon, Mairead, Adam, Jesse, Jess, Jeremy, Laura, and Nick), caught up with an acquaintance from high school I hadn't seen since freshman year of college, and met Mairead's boyfriend. Yay using Otakon as an excuse to see people.

And as the weekend winds down, I have yet to hear anything of the church controversy. So it either worked itself out, or is festering just beneath the surface. I'll find out soon enough.

Now, a few words about the anthrax case. I find it interesting that nothing was really reported about Ivins' culpability in the attacks until after he died. This, of course, makes it impossible for the man to defend himself. And with the credibility of the Bush administration, one has to wonder if they actually got the right guy. It almost seems as though Bush and Co. realized that seven years after the attacks of 2001, they hadn't gotten anyone for the anthrax attacks and Osama was still a free man. With the election coming up, decided they had to resolve at least one of these. Now, I'm not saying the government is responsible for Ivins death, or that this conspiracy actually happened. It's just after observing Bush, one gets these suspicions, which is quite unfortunate for our republic. Maybe the next president can resolve these problems, but I doubt it. I hope so, but I doubt it. So until then, the conspiracy theorists will have a field day.

But for now, I will work on the last week and change of Boot Camp, while keeping an eye on political developments. Maybe no new ads accusing the other guy of being the Antichrist?

Yea, Though I Walk Through the Valley of the Shadow of ... Discord?

I have just been reminded of my duties as church council president of Mt. Tabor UCC. And I am not looking forward with dealing with it. At all.

After spending half an hour on the phone with my mother, I have learned that a new controversy will probably arise at my church. This means that since I am president of the council of one of the two denominations at my church, it will become part of my life. Apparently, my pastor has taken it upon herself to look into changing the class lineup in the Sunday School and changing the texts for the Sunday School. While I agree that the changes are necessary (like getting rid of the books that all but call taking evolution as a scientific theory a sin, interestingly going against the teachings of both the UCC and the Lutheran churches, the two denominations at Mt. Tabor), my preacher has not discussed this with the superintendent of the Sunday School--bad since the Sunday School is not controlled by either congregation.

Word will get out at the church picnic on Saturday, when the discussion between the preacher, the two teachers for the kids' classes, and the two secretaries of the Sunday School (one being my mother), is supposed to occur. I will be pleasantly surprised if there is no grumbling about this. (There are two chances of this happening, Slim and None. And Slim is at the station waiting for his train.) As such, I expect to get emails along the lines of, "why did you let this happen?" and will have to do something about it. Never mind that had my mom not called, I would have been completely out of the loop on this.

Claim: I'm screwed. Royally screwed.
Proof: I either go against the pastor or my mother. Or try to be peacemaker and go against both. In any case, the proof follows directly.

And by the way, that list from the last post? I've decided what classes I want to take. Other than that, nothing is done.

And Otakon? If I'm lucky, I'll be able to get to Baltimore on Sunday. Odds are not great, but better than me escaping this latest tempest unscathed.

August Already?

My calendars tell me it is now August. That means I have only about a month before I start actual graduate classes. How on Earth did I travel through time that quickly?


I now have only a couple of weeks to do the following things:

• Read through the information on health plans to decide on my health insurance.
• Decide what classes to take my first semester. The one-credit TA seminar is required; other than that, it's up to me. Right now I leaning toward complex analysis, and a differential equations course (probably ODE), and either the real analysis course (allowing me to take the analysis qualifying exam in January), or a physics course, since I need a qualifying exam in my field of application, anyway.
• Write an agenda for my church's next council meeting. This despite the fact I will not be there. This is why organizations have vice presidents.
• Actually register for classes. Then I can get my ID card and use the shuttle buses.
• Apply for an absentee ballot. I'd rather not drive up to Emmitsburg for elections in November.

On a related note, I finally have a group of fellow math graduate students I've been spending time with. Granted, it's only during the day. Jack McCoy and company are my companions in the evenings. Well, they and my math books. At least I haven't had to spend time with that cougar that has been spotted on campus. I've yet to see it, though.

But, now it is off to St. Mary's for the weekend.