Free Time

For the past three years, I've not really known what free time is. Three years ago, I started taking graduate level math classes with the hope that I would be able to open some doors later down the road (teach college level math classes). Every semester, my weeks were pretty much the same. I would work all day, sometimes until 8:00 at night, and come home to do homework until I fell passed out on the floor drooling in my notebook. In most cases that was before 10:00.

But now, it's over, and with a 3.5 GPA to boot. After working so much, it is just starting to dawn on me that I have free time again. I can come home and watch TV or play a game without worrying about homework, studying or research. It feels good to start living again, something I haven't done since college. I've always felt that I have to do something productive and work toward something better. I've spent 7 years trying to put myself into position for a better job and a better life. It was a long road, but I think I'm finally there. I've got the skills to do what I really like, teach, and now I've got the time to enjoy life. Time to get on my horse and start riding toward retirement. Knowing me though, I won't be able to accept a full-time job of having free time.

I hate January. Christmas is over as is Christmas break. As usual, the weather has gotten bitterly cold and no one wants to leave the house, not that there is anything worth doing on weekends here in Tuscaloosa. The worst of the worst movies get released in January so why waste money at the theater. If I want to go bowling, I have a Wii. I can stay warm and entertain myself just as easily at home. The only highlight so far this month is Alabama winning the National Championship. ROLL TIDE!!

With plenty of time this weekend and nothing else happening, I let my muse talk through my fingertips by writing a review for Avatar. Take a look at a regular Joe's perceptions of one of the most hyped movies of the year.

It feels weird being off of work in the middle of the week. The University isn't closed for a holiday or even the National Championship Game tonight, but for the threat of winter weather today. As of 10:15 AM CST, I haven't seen the first drop or flake of precipitation, so I feel like I'm scamming work by sitting at home. However, I have some database work to do, which is really difficult to do in the office when other people are there. I have to force everyone out of the database and then force myself to make the changes. I'm not a big fan of working on databases I must admit, but it comes with the territory.

So, while watching the People's Choice Awards from last night, I will take care of the database requests and hope to see some snow. Hopefully the weather won't be so bad we can't attend the party tonight as Alabama goes for lucky #13 (National Championships that is). What a fitting way to kick off the last 9 months in T-Town.

Update: 10:22 AM and the flakes are falling, barely.

Here we are once again at the beginning of a year. Almost everyone does the same thing: set unrealistic goals for the year that end up out the window within three weeks. Here are some resolutions I feel pretty confidant about.

In 2010, I will:

• Pack up all of my belongings


• Move to Texas


• Find a new job in Texas

Here's where my resolutions get a little iffy


• Finish one game on each major console I own. Haven't picked a PC game yet, but here's what I've decided thus far.


• Wii - Zack and Wiki


• PS2- Katamari Damacy


• Gamecube - Donkey Konga


• DS - Legend of Zelda Phantom Hourglass of Kingdom Hearts 358/2 Days (both are excellent)

With classes all finished, I expect I'll be able to keep up with movie reviews as well. Might be challenging with the move, but what else is new? There's always something taking up my time. At least I should be on task until the summer. I've just posted my first review of the new year: Sherlock Holmes. Enjoy.