October 2009 | Kate's Point of View

Not really that weird

On October 29, 2009

I work on the web. Reality is, I love doing that. While I may never learn how the parts of an engine fit together to make a car run, I want to understand everything I can about the moving parts of web sites. I like being able to make things appear online, having them rank well in search engines and influencing people simply by what I post.

I look for new jobs sometimes. I’m pretty open about that. It’s important to me that I know my options and what I have to be accomplishing to remain competitive. Occasionally I will see a position that tempts me, but I know I don’t want to stray too far from the internet. (Except for gift wrapping. Internet, if you know anybody hiring for a gift wrapper, you let me know!)

One part of my job that I have particularly enjoyed has been working with interns. I like teaching them the intricacies of web sites. I love teaching them knew skills and watching as everything starts to click.

My baby brother (not exactly a baby at almost 25) called me last night about a web site project he and his friend are interested in. They want to schedule a meeting with me so I can review their plan and see what’s realistic. I love it! Of all of my siblings, my brother is the most like me. I’m excited to work with him and teach him what I know so that this new site, with it’s ridiculous but hilarious concept, will be successful.

I wonder if I could find a position as a gift wrapper / teacher of smart-ass web site making???

Goodbye Sunshine, Hello Colors

By Kate

On October 27, 2009

In uncategorized

Although sad that summer is passed, I am happy that when I walk outside I get to see nature at its finest. I am always amazed at the beautiful colors that exist naturally in nature.

This leaf was picked from a tree outside my gym last night.

Let the change keep coming

By Kate

On October 19, 2009

In technology

I got a new computer on Friday. A Mac. I finally set it up today and in some ways I am surprised I did it. I have found the last few days really overwhelming.

But I hooked up the computer and slowly I am figuring it out. Its so much to learn. I won’t tell anyone I have it because I don’t want to say whether or not I like it until I feel comfortable with it. Strange, I think, but its how my head works. Is the computer pretty? Sure. Easy? Not yet but maybe some day. Am I happy with it? Not now but I do hope to be very soon.

I figured out how to add music from my old computer to this one really easily, so that was nice. And the photo booth thing is fun.

Sweet Optimus

By Kate

On October 12, 2009

In animals

On Saturday we lost Optimus Prime.

The last that Wonder Boy and I and I saw him Wonder Boy was holding him to give him a kiss before running and errand. In a moment of being goofy I ran up to hug them both and give them both a kiss so Optimus was in between us making grouchy old man noises and “putting up” with being loved on. Then we put him down and I threw him a rattle ball and he galloped across the room to play with it.

Sometime in the two hours after that he was gone. For someone who could have had such a bad death in the animal hospital, it was sort of perfect. We are really grateful we got to foster and then adopt Optimus. Yesterday was a very long, very sad day. But he’ll always be one of the sweetest kittens I ever got to snuggle with and I’m happy I was able to.

Reverting Back to My Childhood Where I Read Under My Bedspread by Flashlight

By Kate

On October 8, 2009

In books, reviews

Book Review of “The Golden Compass” by Philip Pullman

Recent recommendations to read “The Golden Compass” by Philip Pullman led me to the library and landed me at the gym more that anything else has lately. I started reading while riding a stationary bike and the book was so thrilling that I rode like a maniac while tearing through pages. Could a better review of a book be given?

I grew up with Lucy, Edmund, Susan and Peter of C.S. Lewis’ “The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe.” I knew of no better books than the Narnia Chronicles and I’m quite certain I’ve read the series many times over. Whenever I’ve started new children’s science fiction books, I hold them to the standards of the Narnia Chronicles and I don’t think many books hold up!

I never got into Harry Potter in large part because I resented people falling over themselves with how new and great they were and not mentioning the obvious predecessors. But I digress.

The first line of “The Golden Compass” grabs you by your gut and pulls you into Lyra’s world. How could it not?! “Lyra and her daemon moved through the darkening hall, taking care to keep to one side, out of site of the kitchen.” I read it and I needed to know what a daemon was. So I read on. And fell in love. And am struggling because as I sit here writing this, “The Subtle Knife,” the second in the series, sits in my purse just waiting to be read.