Thing Two

Thing Two: Wilmer Eye Institute

First of the Last

Since I'm leaving Baltimore in 29 days I've decided to mark each day with an observation. That observation will be one thing I like about Baltimore.

Thing one: Sunsets from roof decks

Osama Bin Laden is DEAD

You heard it here second!

Stuck on the Wrong Point

I recently had a friend listen to Matt Chandler's "Jesus wants the rose video". Surprisingly, he found it funny and felt that Matt Chandler deserved to be embarrassed because of the bait and switch he pulled on his classmate. Talk about completely missing the point. It's almost like walking onto a magnificent and beautiful ship laden with treasures of gold and silver, and only noticing the funny looking crewman. To be honest, I was simultaneously astonished and intrigued. It makes me wonder.

I wonder about the places where I am stuck on the wrong point instead of the magnificent and beautiful over-arching truth. Us humans are stupid like that. And oftentimes we become stuck on the wrong point, which is often a superficial point, because of social conditioning. This is the same kind of programming which leads us to believe that soda (in all of its artificial and sugary glory) is more satisfying for thirst than water. So we become foolish robohumans, who stand near streams of fresh running water, and despair of the wilderness because there is no soda dispenser in sight.

I hope I didn't miss the point today.

Success Secrets for Graduate School

1. External Relationships

a) Advisors (parents): the concept of pedigree is very important.
Ask a lot questions.
Be careful in picking advisors.
If the relationship is not working don’t feel bound to a certain advisor because you started with them
b) Seek out mentors (outside institution):
c) Administrative Assistants: know where the money is; gatekeepers to your PhD.
d) Associates (the community): build or join a small community.

2. Internal Development
a) Reflection (stop and ask questions daily)

Think about how prepared you are for graduate school.

Write it down.

b)Values: incorporate your values into what you’re learning.

Take time to consider what you value most.

c) Goals: you wouldn’t invest in a company whic had no goals.
Smart goals are: specific, measurable, action-oriented, related and time specific.
d) Embrace Failure:
“Only those who dare to fail greatly can ever achieve greatly.” Robert F Kennedy
Learn to learn and not just to get an A.
“Smooth seas do not make skillful sailors.”

3) Marketing
a) Conferences
b) Publications
c) Meetings
d) Develop your own website

4) Escape Occasionally

5) Get the “Body” tight!
a) BODY: Board of Directors...Yours
Executive Director: “knows all”
Technical Director: “knows research”
Finance Director: “ knows money”
Operations Director: “knows structure/process” (guide)

The More

I can't imagine life without God. I have struggled with him, and I have been awed by him. I have been broken by him and I have been reformed by him. I am truly clay in his hands: the Potter. Oftentimes I want to go from being a lump of clay to a beautiful vase in 40 seconds flat, wishing to bypass the process of being kneaded, weighed, shaped and formed. How foolish I was. How naive.

While sitting on the Shenandoah mountains last weekend I saw a glimpse of God's logic. How exciting and frightening it is all at once. All at once I knew that I may not know the reason for it all but I was content to experience the wonder of it all.

The Potter knows what he's doing.

The Best Laid Plans

Determined to start a book club, I placed on an add on craiglist to recruit members. Within in hours I had positive responses, and in a matter at days I had reached my maximum of 10 members. Reluctantly, I had to turn some folks away. This was three weeks ago. I then proceeded to draft a mission statement and guidelines. Like Dr. Jordan in the first book I selected, Alias Grace, I had lofty and somewhat pompous ideals for my book club. Commercial books were banned, only extraordinary books were allowed that challenged our perception of ourselves and world around. Such and so forth. Each member was assigned a random number to determine their turn to select and lead a book discussion, and then were assigned to either of two deliberately vague themes of LIGHT or SHADE. Ooh, I was so proud of myself. I was organized and this was going to be the book club to rival all book clubs. I found the perfect venue at my friend's house, and our meeting dates were to be determined by a democratic process via -- doodle. There, there, not only was I was organized, I was also modern. I was even contemplating starting a blog for our book club and recording the sessions.

More than 2 weeks ago I sent out the official email about our first book, venue, date, guidelines. It was set, blast off date would be Wednesday, January 27 2011. Overtaken with excitement, worry, anxiety, I regularly sought out my partner in crime for reassurance. Tuesday I ordered a dozen cupcakes from Caroline's Cupcakery: 4 death by chocolate, 4 red velvets, 2 banana chocolate chip and 2 toasted almonds to be exact, and baked my world famous walnut cream cheese puff pastries. I was all set. But January was thinking otherwise.

Unlike last winter when we had at least 3 blizzards, we haven't had a single one this season. But then of all the days in January -- of all the days, Winter chose the day of our first club meeting ti snow like the dickens. And like the dickens it snowed. All day and all night.

I had to postpone everything. The cupcakes were supposed to be picked up yesterday, but I couldn't make it to Locust Point. So now I'm worried about the cupcakes.

Once again, my best laid plans were thwarted. I have to do a better job at anticipating disasters.

Even though the best laid plans of mice and men often go awry, dreams deferred are not necessarily dreams denied.