So...I had an interesting experience this semester in grad school. I got screwed by the administration (as usual) and had to give up on one of the concentrations for my degree (which completely pissed me off) but I've ended up in a pretty interesting situation out of the whole deal. I know, the semester isn't exactly over but with this space research out of the way, it might as well be. I have stressed over this point for hours and hours. Just sitting in class and joking with my classmates, I felt so much better. Getting the presentation out of the way felt a thousand times better. Afterward we said our goodbyes because it was our final class. One of my classmates who has a good 5 yrs in space oriented work experience for notable employers came up after class and complimented me on my presentation. Day one I walked in knowing nothing and didn't try to pretend. She remembered that and commented on how much my presentation proved I had learned and how well I had done. It felt great. To be honest, I'm shocked that I wrote this piece. I didn't know crap about space, let alone military space a few months ago... I've actually learned something ... whoa...
Anyhow, getting screwed on my courses led me to pick up a concentration in science, technology, and public policy that has turned out to be really interesting. I'm not sure how useful it will be in the long run but at least I don't want to shoot myself in the head when I'm sitting in the classes. In fact, I actually look forward to the discussions...
Does this mean I'm growing up? Cuz I'm not really into that whole being an adult thing....

Posted by: Princess Cat at 01:28 AM | No Comments | Add Comment
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Just a few more hours before I present my comparative analysis of competing concepts of security in space...

And I fully agree with this comic today:

So if you see me doing the conga all by myself down the street on my way home tonight, don't be surprised. Getting this stress off my back will be a great relief I've been looking forward to almost more than sex...almost...

Posted by: Princess Cat at 01:50 PM | Comments (1) | Add Comment
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Here it is...Saturday night...and what am I doing? I am on the verge of finishing up my case study on Boeing's efforts to lobby Congress on missile defense funding. Fun stuff, just what I imagined doing with my Saturday nights in grad school.

If anyone has an interest in the way Boeing influences policymakers to specifically appropriate for missile defense within the overall defense budget, let me know. Otherwise it is going to get turned in and then take up space on my hard drive.

You may now carry on with your joyful weekend adventures.

Posted by: Princess Cat at 12:10 AM | No Comments | Add Comment
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"You'll always get quoted by the press if you use one of the following words in a believable sentence: befuddled, bamboozled, hoodwinked."

"I am under no illusion that the [Congressional] members are listening to me."

"Politicians are not the most courageous people."

"Do they still teach how to find your position in the military?"
"In the Air Force we just used Map Quest."

"This is like rearranging the deck chairs on the Titanic!"

Posted by: Princess Cat at 11:42 PM | No Comments | Add Comment
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I just got an email from a professor saying, "I appreciate you having the
courage to take this on."

You know you've picked a tough research topic when the guy who has done this kind of stuff during his day job for the last who knows how many years says that to you.

Oh, and did I mention I have until April 19 to write it?

Posted by: Princess Cat at 01:08 AM | Comments (1) | Add Comment
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1 I know how you feel. When I was a...junior in college I believe, I wrote a paper for one of my Latin American politics courses that was titled something along the lines of "Perpendicular Progression as a Debilitating Force Upon Democratic Consolidation" or some verbose crap as that. The theory and research was so crazy for an undergrad that my prof. gave me an A for undertaking such a..uh..crazy task. So I kinda know what you are saying

Posted by: kyer at April 12, 2005 11:22 AM (oY0vI)

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