From Strength to Strength

The new quarter is underway. I am taking 4 classes (up from 3 last quarter), and they all seem to be very practical. I'm taking BUS 100 and ACC 100, and both should help me in my effort to turn my computer hobby into a viable business. I have learned a lot in just the first week. I'm also take a CIS class on relational databases, which, sadly, is definitely a black hole in my IT skillset. We did a little bit of DB in Java, but I have long since flushed it. Hopefully I will finally get some of my collections (books, mags, games, mp3s) flexibly cataloged for versatile sorting. Wouldn't that be grand?

My final course is English 320, with Dr. Hooper again. It is primarily focused on lengthy research. This should not be a problem for me. I had a few papers last quarter, and in every case I had to leave material out, rather than pad them to reach the minimum page limit. Thus most of my growth as a writer this quarter should be in the areas of being concise and being creative. I hate boilerplate. I have to be distinct. I must resonate. I am also attempting to write a commentary on the Bible. I get so much insight out of reading it, that it seems only natural to try and capture some of it.

I am enjoying my two guitars, although I am starting to get a little frustrated with my difficulty in chord progression. I had a lefty guitar, but it had horrible tone quality because of its cheapness, so I got rid of it and got my right handed Cherry Fender. I need to name her. I have already named my Bass "Dana". Anyway, chording is giving me a little challenge right now. Or maybe I just need to be patient. I am pleased that I have learned the chords and melody for one of my favorite praise songs "Better Is One Day". YES!!! I am the man! I would like to learn "God of Wonders", but looking at the sheet music, I might have better luck on the piano -the chording is incredibly complex. I am fighting the urge to go buy a $99 4-track recorder, now that I am truly becoming fairly proficient (a kind way of saying mediocre) or more than just the piano. I have penned two new songs in the last month. Is this a budding renaissance?

There is more to write about, but duty demands that I get some of my reading done. Peace.

It's Been a Minute, Huh?

I've been trying to take care of business, battle with my own personal demons, deal with the grind of modern life, and remain sane. A tall order, so please forgive me if I seem to have everything but the sanity.

My first quarter back in college is over, and I am pleased to have earned all A's. It was no cakewalk. I learned a lot in every class, and I felt the genuine stress and pressure of collegiate life. I had forgotten how gruelling that was. The key observation was noting how my response has changed from when I was a boy. This is the way I should have been doing it all along.

In other news, I just paid off my first car note. She is actually mine now! She has seen some tough times, but she has hung in there. I hope she lasts long enough to pass her along to my eldest. She only has 66,000 miles on her. My first car, Grace, had far more, but was as trustworthy as a lad could ask. My last car, an old Corolla, died after 188,000 miles. So, I should be able to hang onto this baby and stay away from future car-indebtedness, right?