Michele

I've got absolutely no good caption for this photo. I'm just wondering what happened to get them that way in the first place. Pairs skating is rough. And you can see the whole story on her face (well, you can't see his face....). Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

I have 3 lab partners - one who scores about the same as me, one who's about perfect, and one who scored 25 on the last test. We're all over the board...but we help each other as best as we can. We're a solid and good team. I most likely won't be doing anything now....but might if I feel there was some inaccuracies in grading. Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

Thankfully, right now I have no other classes. This is a rough course for me; I just don't understand it. And that's why I am taking it alone - that way, there are no other classes to be concerned about. From your lips to God's ears, Jim...from your lips to His ears. And I'll be damned pleased to buy you a pint (or two) if it comes out you're right...and I'll buy me one to cry in if you're wrong. I'll just do my best, and see what happens. That's about all I can do, you know? Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

It is just one course; failing it will put me behind an entire semester. not getting a high grade will affect my chances of getting into the schools I am applying to in June. It matters.... The courses I am comfortable with, and good in, I score in the high 90's to 100s consistently. The reason for the 87.5 in his class is because I understand labs, love doing labs, and can generally get full credit there. I got an 88 on his last exam, but a much poorer grade on the first exam. So it's an average of being very good in lab, and not so strong in the lecture aspect. I know it's not too shabby, but there are still about 350 points to be earned - an exam on Monday, the final (200 points) on Friday, and two labs in the interim...and that's the problem. There's still room to move rather far from the B I have now, and while there's also room to move up, I somehow doubt it will occur. But I am studying and studying and trying to understand it all. So maybe I can hold onto the grade I've got now. I wouldn't be displeased, considering I failed chemistry in high school... Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

Why wouldn't I want advice from you? Good grief. Once again, I don't really care about the politics in the classroom; when an instructor gets so bent out of shape that he takes 30+ minutes to look something up, print it out, cancel the rest of class, and shove it in their student's face simply because they disagree on a topic that is not part of the class...well, there might be a problem. Carbon dating accuracy is a topic of discussion...but he didn't discuss it. He railed against creationism, and let it go at that. He was already pissed about the earlier conversation, so I'm attributing his temper to that. Hopefully, we will get instruction on how it works, because I've read ahead, and it is supposed to be covered in the next chapter. We'll see. I don't care if someone is liberal - my poli sci professor was extremely liberal, but that's a class to discuss the stuff in...I got an A, even though he called me a "rampant" Neocon (to that I laughed....and explained I wasn't...). Liberal democratism doesn't really bother me, and again, as stated, I find the exchange of views to be interesting and I generally learn something. However, to have a chemistry professor get so bothered that he effectively cancels class - or even gets into a heated argument with someone about it, instead of waiting until after class - well, again, there might be a problem. I recognize that skygodism should be protected against if you're an instructor. Furthermore, I recognize an instructor pulling aside a student and cautioning him/her about his grades. Both are viable. That is not what he did...and furthermore, the classmate to whom he spoke against me to is an extreme liberal...not someone who has ever made any attempt to be friendly toward me, or even listen to other's views without her input. It was gossip. Plain, simple, baldfaced gossip. And in my view, thoroughly inappropriate. Neither your cautioning against listening to the "skygod" who is telling someone to hook at 100 feet nor your mother suggesting that someone's performance may be improved if they didn't hang out with a group is gossip...I had never tried to "influence" or help anyone in that class - rather, I'm the one begging for help from other students because I can't get it from the instructor. Therefore, the analogy is imperfect. Sorry, Bill. If he grades me unfairly, and it affects my overall grade in the class, I will most likely bump it up. However, I am rather less inclined to do that then just stick it out, study my poor brain out, and do what I can to pass the class with my current grade level; B. We shall see what we shall see...I am hoping he is professional enough to say "that was Friday, this is Monday. Let's move on" not in so many words, but in deeds. And rest easy - any political/religious comments he makes will not get a response from me from this point out. He has demonstrated an inability to handle differing opinions with tact and with decency, and I have no wish to cost the rest of the class any additional instruction (as happened on Friday). Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

He has office hours. I've tried to go there (*unannounced), and the door was locked. When I asked him about that, he said "there's plenty of time during class to ask for help; I know the door is locked." That put paid to office hours help...and this was before an exam, when I was really confused about a formula and wanted his help rather than guessing with everyone else. Sigh. Kalland, I appreciate that you don't bring politics into the classroom...and being willing to talk about it after class should someone want. I've not brought up politics in class, although I've responded to his commentary at times (thus the entire fiasco as outlined above). But again, it's not necessarily the politics in the classroom...it's rather more his attitude and behavior *in class* to prove his point (i.e. handing me the Constitution article, et cetera) and his discussing me with a fellow classmate. That ticked me off, you know? Just ticked me off. I've been in tears, and had a nightmare about it. This is really bothering me a great deal...especially because Chemistry isn't my strong suit. For now, though, I'll do nothing...and see what transpires over the next week. And on Friday next, it will be Freedom Day - once the final is over, I plan on having a few drinks and then heading down to Sea World before the new semester starts the next Tuesday. Until then, I'll just survive the pressure, and do the work as best I can. But man, this upsets me. Just really upsets me. Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

Not necessarily, Jeanne. I'd be upset if he were conservative and pounded a lib in a Chemistry class...and especially if he commented to me that the other student was unintelligent. See, that's inappropriate in a chem class, and even in a poli-sci class. Instructors are supposed to instruct, and encourage learning and to teach; when one simply insults another, no learning takes place (you see that here constantly...although here, it's no biggie; this isn't a classroom). Althought most of the class had left at break, I had stayed because I had additional questions. Because of his actions after break (his unwillingness to let it go...), I never asked the questions. And that bothers me. As for the person who said "the semester's over", it's not. It's winter intersession, and it doesn't end until next week Friday. I have two exams during that time; one on Monday, and the final on Friday. Together, those exams are worth 300 points, plenty to knock my score down below passing, and certainly enough to take me off my B. What he's done in the past for everyone is allow partial credit on the problems....but my concern is that I'll make enough mistakes that he's allowed in the past and that he allows others to make, but he'll remove all points for that error...which he might not do for others. Because of that, my concern is valid. The session will be over in 1 week; and then I'll be on back to those classes which I both enjoy and understand...it's just a matter of making it through this week and these exams fairly. And again, just to make it clear...I like this guy as a person, differing opinions and all. I am just quite bothered about the whole event last night...and concerned it will indeed impact my grade. Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

I might be being hypersensitive...and I might not be. All I know is he was pounding me. Did I escalate it? Perhaps, but I also realized that, and kept saying "let's agree to disagree" in an attempt to stop that and to get back to the topic - Chemistry. The problem isn't necessarily the politics in the classroom - it was the bullshit commentary afterwards to a fellow classmate. The problem is also that I am not pulling an A in the class - and that's simply because I don't grok the material very well. However, at this point, I am indeed concerned that he will be downgrading me unnecessarily because of personal feelings. Do I think he will do that? Dunno...but the possibility is there. Furthermore, the issue was compounded because he took the time and during break, researched, printed out, and brought me the article from the Constitution. He continued, and escalated, at that point...and then I caught him discussing me with a student. As for taping, I doubt that it will help; he's likely to not bring up the topic again. However, I will bring my tape recorder, and will have it there should the need arise. Lucky, that site doesn't have my school on it. However, on Ratemyprofessor.com, he is the lowest rated professor in the department. He knows it, and "brags" about it. Warpedskydiver, thanks for the advice. I'll consider that carefully. Appreciate the opinions and the discussion... Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

I am quite frustrated this evening...and I thought I'd make a post about it. I am struggling with chemistry - I've got an 87.5 cumulative in the class, but there are still two exams to go - one on Monday, and then the final on Friday. I like my chemistry professor; he's pretty laid back and funny; uses foul language, and teases the one openly gay guy about his homosexuality (which doesn't bother him at all, and makes for some very funny exchanges...). He's not a great teacher, a poor explainer and lacks patience with those of us who don't readily grasp the concept...but he's a nice guy, and not everyone can be both great teacher and good guy. I'm not blaming my less than A grade on him. Yet. He's relatively arrogant and pretty superior, but still, a nice dude nonetheless once you get past that. I thought we had, but boy was I wrong. Over the last few weeks, my lab partners and I have often been the last out of the lab. Since I've got no life, I have nothing to run home to, so on occasion, he and I have stayed and talked a bit. Religion, politics, how he came to be a teacher, why I went back to school, him being brought up Southern Baptist, et cetera. He's about my age, and we have pretty different views on politics and faith. Frankly, he is a liberal democrat athiest, and I am not. But see, I don't really care. I like listening to others' opinions, and discussing things from different perspectives. But he's often brought it into the classroom...inasmuch as like when someone sneezes and the class says "bless you", he says "there is no god." Or "Bush is a wimp" or "that jackass leading our country", or "the creationists would have you believe that, but real scientists know better." And so on. I'm not debating whether or not he's correct in his beliefs or I am correct in my beliefs. They are, honestly, what they are. But tonight, things came to a head. In the first bit of class - not sure but about 10 minutes into it; lecture hadn't started yet - he said something about Bush and the war (I can't recall what, exactly). Then he added "but Bush isn't my president." I responded with "well, yes, technically, he is," and he responded with a rant about how the 2000 election was taken to the Supreme court and that nowhere in the Constitution gives the Supremes the right to appoint a president. When I tried to point out that it was Gore who brought the legal action, and that Bush pursued his right to appeal, as guaranteed in the Constitution...he went off some more, about "wimpy Daddy's boy Georgie", and how Bush stole the election. I added a comment (can't remember what), but also said "well, we can agree to disagree" and he said "there's no disagreement, you're wrong." and reiterated his point about the SC. Again I repeated "we can agree to disagree", and kept repeating that to every additional point he made. A classmate stated "well, before Michele interrupted you, what were you saying about Bush stealing the election? Sure he stole the 2000, but what do you think about the 2004?" and he answered "fraud, pure and simple. That's why he's not my President. He is a liar, theif, and fraud." My classmate, who agreed with him, stated as much when she walked out of the classroom on a personal break because, as she said, "this sort of stupidity pisses me off" while looking at me directly. Later during the lecture he brought up carbon dating, and I asked him if it was as accurate as it was portrayed, as I had read that many scientists don't agree with it's exactitude. He interrupted me, saying "well, those scientists who say that are the ones who'd push creationism on people, so consider that source." My response was "hey, I didn't bring that into the conversation" and his comment was "didn't say you did, but don't believe that crap." A three hour lecture was subsequently truncated into about 40 minutes, his reason being he has two more days to cover the material, so let's just go home...and then he called a break. Most of the class left, because it would only be review for the test on Monday...but I stayed. When I returned to the classroom from outside, I saw him conversing down the hall with the classmate I mentioned above. When he returned to class (after easily 30 minutes), he walked into the room and shoved in front of me a print out of Article II of the Constitution, and said "here, learn something. Show me where it says the Supreme Court can appoint the President". Then, when I said something about that wasn't what my point was, he said "it was changed in 1804. I know how old you are, and you're not old enough to have read the original." Anyway, long story short, when most of the class had left, I asked him what the point was of giving me the article. He gave me one of those "looks", and said "you're wrong." I reiterated my point was that Gore brought the legal action, the Supreme Court basically only said "stop counting", and sent it back to FLA for decision. I wasn't debating the Constitution, but I was debating whether or not Bush had the right to appeal, just like everyone else in the country. He told me I was wrong, wrong, wrong, that it wasn't supposed to go like that, that the House was supposed to make the decision, et cetera...talking over me, interrupting me, and basically not letting me speak. And then I told him I had heard him discussing me with my classmate in the hallway, and that I thought that was out of line and I didn't appreciate being discussed behind my back with my colleague. He had the grace to look "caught" (all you parents know that look), and then said "I adhere to the policy that I won't say anything behind someone's back that I won't say to their face," to which I pressed the point..."what did you say?" "You don't know as much as you think you do." Well, whatever. And that's what I said. I asked him what gave him the right to make that conversation about a topic that had nothing to do with the class he taught, and he said "I make my observations, and that's what I think." I've never had an isntructor say something like that to me; and if I were insecure, I'd think he was right. I then clued him in....I hadn't heard him talking...he was 3/4 down the hallway, and I couldn't have heard him. However, I also am rather bright and can read body language, and when two people turn their back on me when they see me, I know I'm the topic of conversation. And that I was bright, and that I may not be a chemist, or even a college grad, but I know some things...and I also know I don't know 1/8 of a billionth of a quadrillionth of what's out there to know. He basically then told me the conversation was over, and walked out of the classroom. I closed the classroom up - shut out the lights, shut the door, and walked out to my car. I am pretty damned well pissed off. It's a chemistry class. It's not a political science class (which he terms "bullshit fluff"), and for him to have intimated - let alone stated - that I don't know what I'm talking about on a subject that he doesn't even teach...and then to comment about his perception of my lack of knowledge in general, overall, about everything (rightly or wrongly) to a fellow classmate really, really crossed the line of professionalism and decency. And now....I have those two exams to pass. He could fail me easily; I'm not the best chemistry student, and I work as hard as I can and study as well as possible, but I am not going to score 100%. Furthermore, he could take points off for things that he doesn't take points off for for other students. And now I'm beyond stressed, because if I don't pass the class, I'll have to repeat it, and I'll not be able to finish up my prerequisites by summer as I had planned. I'm trying to decide whether or not I say anything to the Dean (my [professor is the chairman of the chemistry department...), or just sit tight and see what happens on the next test. However, if I just sit tight, and a problem arises, if I say anything then it will be seen as "sour grapes" potentially. And I like him...it was no worse than the conversations we have here...more mild, frankly, than these here. It's the concept of his talking about me, denigrating me, behind my back that galls me...and the fact that he's now pissed and can fail me just because he wants to now. The bottom line? I don't really want to get him in trouble; but I don't want to suffer at the hands of someone who has power over me and my future. I don't want to get into a debate about whether Bush is the President or not. Nor do I want to debate whether or not I was right, the professor is right, or neither one was right; that's not the point. We are all allowed our opinions...and I respect his right to have a different one than mine - even if vice versa is not. But I really, really don't like the fact he talked about me to another student...and negatively, at that. I do want some advice and guidance as to what you might do in a situation similar to mine...I'd really appreciate it. This had me in tears earlier. Chemistry is a bear, and I just don't need this, you know? Ciels- Michele What would you do, in my situation? Talking to him is apparently not working; I tried that tonight...but he walked out of the conversation, and told me to "get over it." Other than notifying the Dean, I don't really know what else to do...so does someone have an idea? Thanks... Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

Well. No wonder I've had many colds recently. I mistakenly thought it was being exposed to all those germs in class...but apparently not. Who knew? Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

You so rock, Chuck. YAYAYAYAYAY you!! Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

Jeanne, I get totally that you honestly think this is a possibility - perhaps even a probability. But...how would this happen? What would be the responses of Congress and the Senate? How do they figure into it? I'm not belittling you, I'm indeed curious. Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

I live here still. Until my father passes I will be here for him. And then I'll move close to my brother in Oregon. Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

I am so very sorry to hear of the passing after the struggle....no words will help right now, but when you are ready, the Rainbow Bridge is a glorious, uplifting, and reassuring poem. And all I can do is reassure you: when it's time for you to pass over the bridge, Elsa will be there, waiting, happy to see you...and you will be joined again. I've said a prayer for her, and will say some for you and your family. And as for the neighbors- well, I'll say a prayer that they are served justice...however it may show up. Blessed be. Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

Jeanne, you sometimes surprise me with what you think. Do you **really** think that there will be martial law, elections suspended, and Bush in office indefinately? I can't see how, especially with a Democratically run Congress and Senate...just can't envision it. Or rather, I can, but it is one of those thoughts that pass quickly. Do you **really** think so? And if so, how do you think it will occur? I mean, sure, a terrorist attack, but then what? Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

If it's a real kitten (i.e. less than a year old), that's a very, very normal thing. I'd suggest getting a higher protein cat food, as that will keep it full longer. But kittens eat for various reasons, not just because they're hungry; often they'll eat because they're teething, and it soothes the gums (where the whole chewing thing comes in, too), or because they're bored. Try free feeding some high quality kitten food (if it's still under 1 year), discourage food from your plate/hands (unless it's kitten treats), and see how that goes. Also get him some chewie toys (they don't make them for cats, so I buy the tiny rawhide sticks made for small dogs), and see if that doesn't help some of the wild eating. But I think it's probably fairly normal that it's constantly eating... Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

Do you "free feed" kibble? I have found that if I free feed kibble (leave some out all day long), the vomiting is less...not non-existant, but less (actually, much less). Also, the quality of the food will make a difference, too... Give that a try, along with Laxatone, and see what happens. Hairballs and vomiting food are different, though...as I'm sure you have discovered! Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

Well, any disorder? Pie, my wonderful, gorgeous calico, has a version of kitty autism that is really odd. She has her own world, and, 4 years after coming home, still sniffs me to make sure it's me. She will wig out if you touch her and she's not wanting it; but when she wants it, she comes and loves on you without a problem, including grooming whatever part of your body she's intrigued with at the moment. I've long thought that she has vision issues, but the vet says "no", so I just chalk it up to something else. Simon has a personality disorder. He's gorgeous, knows it, and is narcissistic to the nth degree. If he was a person he'd have a comb and a mirror in every pocket. ROFL. Oliver is a pig; he'll eat everything and anything, and will not give up his bowl to save his life...and bullies others into giving up their bowls, too. LOL. They just move to the next one, you know? The rest are pretty normal kitties...well, as normal as kitties get. Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

Hrm....actually, knowing me, it's fairly plausible.

Torture? Well...the current form of torture for me is a 4 1/2 week chemistry class - 5 hours per night...5 units. Winter intersession... Torture. Yep, that's torture. Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

ROFL. Yep, sounds familiar. "Will you stop asking me WHY????" was my mother's favorite response. "Because I'm the Mom, that's WHY!!" was the answer to everything...That's no answer. And the time I told her that, I got whapped one pretty good. Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

One of the things I do when I have a cat with an owie of some kind is to hydrogen peroxide it well. And relatively often. The hydrogen peroxide will explode any infection, and then the body will heal the tissue around it. I would ONLY recommend this on an area that can't be licked off, because hydrogen peroxide is toxic in quantity. And before anyone hollers at me about it, my vet is the one who gave me the advice. He said that most often, a small (and he meant small, not medium small or medium) sore will be taken care of with this treatment. And since he knows I rescue cats, and he knows my pocketbook is very thin, he tells me things like this to save the cost of a vet visit. So try soaking a cotton ball in hydrogen peroxide, and dousing her jowl owie with that. Do that tonight, tomorrow morning, and tomorrow night; if there is no change, then take her into the vet. That's what I'd do, and have done, with my cats. And anyone who knows me knows those cats are my life. Good luck. Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

It's very, very hard to understand if you haven't been there yourself. Unfortunately, I do understand, having been there for many years. Heloise has found what she was looking for...and she is resting peaceful now. It's so hard to be the ones left behind in this; suicide is not easily dealt with, and if you (or anyone) needs an ear, I'm never farther away than the keyboard. And that offer goes to anyone who is at the end of their rope - reach out one more time; there are people who do understand the dark. There are people who do know what it's like to live on the edge of the abyss. There are people who understand the issues you're facing...and can help. So reach out one more time, just one more time... Peej, you and Heloise are in my prayers. I am so sorry for your loss. Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

The one I recorded, with lots of different genres on it. Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

That might be a good investment...I'm also considering those baby-proof knobs on the stove so if I bump it again it won't turn on. I'll make a run later this week and see what the local Home Depot or Lowe's has for me. Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~