Yahoo,
We made it to the end of Twenty-Ten. Or two thousand ten, however you prefer. It was an adequate year with its opportunities and availabilities, I suppose. Getting as long in tooth as I am now it doesn't take alot to satisfy me anymore. This year has brought more satisfaction than many years prior have accumulated. Once again, my standards have lowered on some accounts and have improved and become more accurate on others. So this year, as all, has had its ups and downs but in the whole scheme of things this one has actually been somewhat progressive. Let me elaborate.
The year began with a horrid wet and cold day. The kind of day that could make the rest of the year appear to be as foreboding as walking into the the Blair Witch Project naked. Well, it was a valid indicator of what was to come because January brought me the most trials and tribulations I have experienced in years. Luckily It didn't kill me but it came close. I started the year off behind the 8 ball without much promise for a prosperous future. I had a little run-in with the law that had me up against the wall til May, when everything was settled and I was absolved and able to put that hokie-pokie BS behind me. It was a minor offense with major implications. No I didn't kill anything I wasn't supposed to but I probably shouldn't have been where I was when I was there. Wrong place Wrong time Wrong result. Don't let me scare, I'm not a criminal in the definition of the word, but according to the Forest Service cop, I brought the wrong kind of hay onto Federal lands. I'll leave it at that.
Spring brought other challenges. One of them being winter-like weather thru April. I mean I have been a Bend resident as well as native for over 30 years and spring keeps coming later and later every year. That can make it a challenge when you have been clouded in for 4 going on 5 months and just hoping for a ray of sunshine. Well, the sunshine never came. Well, it did, just not as soon as I thought it should have. One of the other challenges was going back to school to get my degree(s). I haven't seen a classroom for over 20 years......Both challenges presented themselves the first day of Spring term. We received more snow in one day than we had had all winter long. Kind of a rude induction to spring, but I took the challenge. I was wait-listed for most of my classes and managed to only get into one of them. That was cool tho. I had realistic expectations and didn't want to conquer the world in one term alone. I got my one class, Timber Carnival sports......OK, the class is Timber Sports but you get to learn how to ROCK a Timber Carnival. I was throwing axes, climbing 30 foot poles, setting chokers, and overhand chopping my way to an "A". I was an great intro to the career I hope to be a part of.
Summer worked its way into the picture with alot of smoke and mirrors. The season itself came in like a lamb with a broken leg. It didn't reach 70 degrees but for the three days in May, until damn near June 20th. When it came it came in force. It got hot and so did my second term at COCC. This time I was able to pick-up some more valuable classes in my pursuit of the goal. These were cool classes. Learning what actually goes on in the forestry business. I had Perspectives and Map &Compass. Both of which were succumbed to my innate ability to learn what I already know. Yea, I "A"d them both. The weather did get better and the learning became easier when all you had to wear to school was a compass and a pair of shorts. Summer was cool as short as it was.
Autumn. The real challenge. I finally got into the rotation and was able to register as a returning student and have a better menu of classes to choose from. I filled my schedule with 15 credit hours and charged the castle. After being re-introduced to the scholastic ways I was ready to take on the world. So BAM, I was off and running. I have never been a scientist, but I play one at the bar all the time, and never taken any "ology" classes other than geology and I dont even remember when that class was. I had 2 "ology" classes this term and was as intimidated as Pee Wee Herman standing in front of DOG the bounty hunter after playing around in a Miami movie theater. It was scary. You all saw the posts on Dendrology. It's a weird little science but if you're a nerd like me, you'd love it! Then there was Ecology. The "GREEN" science. Personally I feel this is the science that must be taught to the world. We need to know our role in the ecological kingdom and be able to educate all up and comers to the errors of the past and the ways that can resolve those errors. People need to know their "cause & effect" on our planet and know how to manage it to a more prosperous angle and I think this planet will be around til the sun goes out. What a fun class. The ology's were fun and rather enlightening . Then there was MATH. I HATE math. "I severely dislike math" would probably be a better way of putting it but I still hate it. Needless to say, I gave that the 'ol college try' too and ramshackled the castle with the best of the Barbarians. Oh yea, computer class. The class that turned me onto this whole blogosphere we are in now. I didn't learn much there other than how to ...... uh...............let's see..............hmmm......oh yea,.......what did I learn here? The last class was an introduction into how to be a college student in the program that I am currently enrolled in. It was a P/F class so it didn't seem like a big deal. When all the classes totaled up it put forth an adventure I was bound to conquer. In hindsight, it wasn't as bad as it looked. I managed 3 A's, 1 B, and one P. All in all, a 3.71 gpa and a trip to the Dean's List. I haven't been to the Dean's list since I got caught on a ladder peeping into sorority girls windows back in '79. Oh wait, that was John Belushi....my bad. I guess I've never made the Dean's List, til now.
Winter is back as are the challenges the new winter brings. Another season of variable weather, unsettled economy, and nothing to do but think positive about the new year to come. I don't necessarily celebrate calendar holidays. I follow the sun, moon, earth, and stars. So the Solstice was my official New Year but all in all we all tend to be close in what's relative. Hope for the best, achieve more than you thought you could, and go beyond anyone's expectations. Most of all be true to thy own self, bring good karma, and climb the ladder being weary not to step on the fingers of those who got you there....
Love you all and thanks for reading once again. The Sage and Cowgirls are still arguing a collective bargaining agreement and the commissioner is still in Hawaii. So I will bring you up to date with their story as soon as negotiations begin again......Take care, be safe, be good to yourself, and love the ones who make you feel good.
Carmen, ooooooooooot!
