Yesterday was an exhausting day - not only did I sleep only three and a half hours, had a fitting again (CI fitting), but we also brought home the newest member of our little family - Mia.
Mia is a dog, she is a mixture of Labrador and Boxer. I won't bother with detailed descriuption, but suffice to say, when Mum has seen her online, (February the 14th, ironically,), she immediatelly fallen in love with the furball. If I hadn't been asleep at the time, she would undoubtedly woke me up and tell me "I found her.".
Last year we had to euthanize our German Shepherd dog Sani - he lived 13 years, unusually long for his species (usually, they live to 10 years), and Mum was heartbroken. I admit, I didn't know how much I missed Sani until one furry tornado called Mia practically skeddadled in my day and thus in my life.
She is 1 year old, energetic and very, very affectionate. We will have to build rapport between the two of us still, and it seems we will have to teach her that cats are acceptable family members too /sigh, sweatdropping/, because Riki had freaked out when Mia fearlessly advanced at him. It would have been funny, because it proved that the old rivalry between the cats and dogs indeed does exist - or at least cats dislike dogs, and dogs are too curious for their own good, so it was good mum had her tightly leashed. Riki apparently didn't think that his sole reign of the house and surrounding domain would be challenged so fast, because Sani was very humble. Mia.... well, she isn't. But Riki having his fur standing upward was a sigh to behold, especially when he is one orange puffball. I really wish I could have photographed him then.
Riki's sentiments were shared by Dad, because he wasn't very happy we got Mia in without his approval, even if she's schooled and whatnot, as for my brother, I am very curious what would he say. Entire operation was like guerrilla - it's happening, but you don't know it happened until you are ambushed, and Dad dislikes suchlike ambushes.
Mia was very good while drive - I swear, if I hadn't known better, Sani behaved as if he had a motion sickness, whining and all, but Mia bore it stoically. It can easily fool you into thinking she is complacent, but when she comes out, she is a whirling dervish of energy, and she likes countryside. She is in a treat when Mum will begin taking her to woods, but for now, we are more more or less confined to the house's surroundings and plains.
When we visited her - the navigation to the house was a murder, I will definitely badger my brother in showing me how to deal with GPS on my phone - I didn't expect we would take her home. Certainly, I knew my Mum had her heart set on her, so I took her claims- if we will like each other she will go with us today - for a hot air, so when it happened, I was very surprised, but well, it seems Mia chose us. She liked Mum for her treats, and she practically skedaddled to me to greet me and get a belly rub. (She is in love with belly rubbing - it's her weak point, besides right ear scratching). It was only half an hour - probably, and the next thing I knew was we were in car, Mia in the back and we were driving home. And I have to admit, she did wonders for Mum's temperament - thanks for dogs, for they cause Mum changing from angry dragoness to a sweet kitten, temper-wise. Really.
So, I can look forward to the ten years or more of walks, trials and errors and so on and so forth. More, if we will be lucky, because death, in the end, comes for us all. But until she does, we will at least have fun.
And such is the beginning of the next doggy chapter in my life, nicknamed 'Tornado Mia'.
PS: Have a new desk lamp because the old one died on me. it also caused me to clean the desk, and wow, is that a change now .../fascinated/. Seems my desk is big enough for me to work, but it's always like this, when you clear it.
PPS: Have a date with Mia today to tire her out. Wish me luck!
Eirenei
PPPS: Wow. My brother named her a 'second wii'. That's as good as acceptance... reluctant acceptance, but acceptance nonetheless... and he has kinder eyes. Mia is apparently good for us.
PPPS: Currently I am frustrated as hell. My walk with Mia was both good and disappointing - good because she marginally obeys my commands, but bad, because she tries to lead, loves chewing things and she got a fixation with moles. /groans, face palming/. She is not concentrated on me as she should be - sure, she obey commands, but she doesn't take me seriously. It is enough to make me mad!
Walking was a mixture of success and failure - success because I got her to walk beside me, and failure when she dragged me or walked in front of me. I admit, I am mostly a doormat for my family, but hells bells, I don't have any intentions of being a dog's doormat! She obeys when I call her, but I have to trick her, like I am going somewhere. I don't know how to deal with mole-seeking of hers yet. However, it's only a first day and I will get better... only having to read and gett o know her more. And tire her more! /growls/ So, I will have a pow-wow with my Mum to get the wheels rolling so we will teach her the same and whatnot.
Friday, February 21, 2014
Saturday, January 18, 2014
Plugged In, Charging Fix
Well, today I was baffled because my computer didn't want to display it was charging, despite of me actually charging the damn thing. So I asked Uncle Google for an advice, and lo and behold, it had some.
In short, there are some steps on kickbacking your lappy back in order.
So:
1 - Power down your laptop
2 - Disconnect the AC cord
3 - Remove the battery
4 - Connect the AC cord
5-Power on the laptop
6 - Go to Control devices - Device Manager - Battery
7 - In Battery Section uninstall everything with AC - don't worry about installing it back, becasue it's automatic.
8 - Power down the laptop
9 - Disconnect the AC cord
10 - Place the battery back in its slot
11 - Connect the AC cord
12- Power on the laptop
When you look on the icon, it shows you are charging (Yay!).
Fo anyone who wants more visual there is link to see for yourself.
Happy charging!
In short, there are some steps on kickbacking your lappy back in order.
So:
1 - Power down your laptop
2 - Disconnect the AC cord
3 - Remove the battery
4 - Connect the AC cord
5-Power on the laptop
6 - Go to Control devices - Device Manager - Battery
7 - In Battery Section uninstall everything with AC - don't worry about installing it back, becasue it's automatic.
8 - Power down the laptop
9 - Disconnect the AC cord
10 - Place the battery back in its slot
11 - Connect the AC cord
12- Power on the laptop
When you look on the icon, it shows you are charging (Yay!).
Fo anyone who wants more visual there is link to see for yourself.
Happy charging!
Thursday, January 2, 2014
Yaya con Dios, Sani
Why is that, when it comes to death, it's never easy?
Today I woke up, and thought - cranky - that I will have another ordinary day in front of me. However, Mum stunned me with news that she decided to euthanize Sani, our German Shepherd dog. What a fucked up way to begin the day. I thought he could get himself out of this... whatever it is - I tried, and even then, I am feeling guilty somehow, even if realistically speaking, I've done everything short of operation for him. I am inclined to say it isn't fair, but human being are selfish like that.
It hurts to see him laying on his rug, just breathing and being there, and knowing that he would pass on later this day, and it hurts knowing I won't have my canine four-legged companion to my treks to get milk. It hurts to know that he won't sit on his favorite sunspot, happy as a clam, or be his crazy self when the time comes for going into the forest. When we accepted him into our home and hearts, I rationally knew that he would have to go someday, but I am still asking myself - does it have to be right in this day? It seems as if I didn't have enough time with him, even if he was with us almost 13 years total - if he survived to this summer, it would have been 13 years.
Why is that, whenever we open ourselves for love, we also open ourselves for pain? Sometimes I wonder if it's worth it. I am remembering my kitten Lae and her broken spine, my white cat Mike and how inseparable we were, and Gray, the tomcat who loved to make me take breaks when I was stuck on particularly demanding Math problem. My lap was his favorite resting spot. And Johnny, with his long white and black fur, the old gun of our house. I am remembering them, and it hurts, because they are not here anymore, and it hurts doubly because they would get new companion today. This saying, 'if you love somebody, set them free ' is then one I am struggling with, accepting it the hardest. Love and letting go, forever, doesn't compute. But I don't wish to make Sani suffer because of cancer anymore. So, the rational - and hurtful decision that he would be gone - has fallen today. Even if we got another dog, Sani would always have a special place in my heart - he taught me that not all dogs are evil (was terrified of dogs, except when he came home like a small furball with incredibly sharp teeth and he had grown up into a 88 lbs heavy companion who was incredibly patient with me, even if I sometimes lost my nerves with his antics). He had given us so much - to Mum a respite from the home problems when they wandered through the forests, to me he was another happy furball, if annoying at times and he made me concerned when he vanished off to some of his short treks around, and he was faithful protector of our home.
It hurts! God, it hurts! It was one of the hardest things I've ever done, going downstairs and saying farewell to him - it never gets easier, no matter how you try to distance from them. They sneak in your heart, no matter how tightly you lock it. You think you have forever with them, but you always find out that kind of forever is just a very, very short moment in your life, no matter how many years you were gifted to be together.
Vaya con Dios, Sani.
I'm Still Holding You.
Today I woke up, and thought - cranky - that I will have another ordinary day in front of me. However, Mum stunned me with news that she decided to euthanize Sani, our German Shepherd dog. What a fucked up way to begin the day. I thought he could get himself out of this... whatever it is - I tried, and even then, I am feeling guilty somehow, even if realistically speaking, I've done everything short of operation for him. I am inclined to say it isn't fair, but human being are selfish like that.
It hurts to see him laying on his rug, just breathing and being there, and knowing that he would pass on later this day, and it hurts knowing I won't have my canine four-legged companion to my treks to get milk. It hurts to know that he won't sit on his favorite sunspot, happy as a clam, or be his crazy self when the time comes for going into the forest. When we accepted him into our home and hearts, I rationally knew that he would have to go someday, but I am still asking myself - does it have to be right in this day? It seems as if I didn't have enough time with him, even if he was with us almost 13 years total - if he survived to this summer, it would have been 13 years.
Why is that, whenever we open ourselves for love, we also open ourselves for pain? Sometimes I wonder if it's worth it. I am remembering my kitten Lae and her broken spine, my white cat Mike and how inseparable we were, and Gray, the tomcat who loved to make me take breaks when I was stuck on particularly demanding Math problem. My lap was his favorite resting spot. And Johnny, with his long white and black fur, the old gun of our house. I am remembering them, and it hurts, because they are not here anymore, and it hurts doubly because they would get new companion today. This saying, 'if you love somebody, set them free ' is then one I am struggling with, accepting it the hardest. Love and letting go, forever, doesn't compute. But I don't wish to make Sani suffer because of cancer anymore. So, the rational - and hurtful decision that he would be gone - has fallen today. Even if we got another dog, Sani would always have a special place in my heart - he taught me that not all dogs are evil (was terrified of dogs, except when he came home like a small furball with incredibly sharp teeth and he had grown up into a 88 lbs heavy companion who was incredibly patient with me, even if I sometimes lost my nerves with his antics). He had given us so much - to Mum a respite from the home problems when they wandered through the forests, to me he was another happy furball, if annoying at times and he made me concerned when he vanished off to some of his short treks around, and he was faithful protector of our home.
It hurts! God, it hurts! It was one of the hardest things I've ever done, going downstairs and saying farewell to him - it never gets easier, no matter how you try to distance from them. They sneak in your heart, no matter how tightly you lock it. You think you have forever with them, but you always find out that kind of forever is just a very, very short moment in your life, no matter how many years you were gifted to be together.
Vaya con Dios, Sani.
I'm Still Holding You.
Tuesday, December 31, 2013
Year 2014 in, Year 2013 out
So, once again, new year is knocking on my door. This year, I will be home, listening to the music and reading good fics.
Short recount of Year 2013 - hot as hell, bitchy, with wins in fics and fails at school life. Short and sweet, no?
Okay, what really happened:
Accredited as a proffesional masseuse, have certificate to show for it, even though it chomped almost all my savings to pay the lessons
Got a CI surgery done, still have to go to the fitting, becasue there's no definite hearing yet.
Fell in love with Uta no Prince Sama (anime) and it's songs. (The cast was a bonus. Bonus, I say!)
Discovered amazing song This Love by Shinhwa and Korean unique humor. (Seriously, Shinhwa, you are the best. Keep being so very entertaining.)
Accredited as a Logistics Engineer, even if I am now wondering if I was even sane when I had switched the courses. Seriously, what kind of drug I was on? (The presentation wasn't the best, though the amount of written work was honestly massive, both in writing, editing and so on. Next time, I swear I will write only half as thick of the first thesis. And yes, this still means some 40 pages. (Actually, 70, but ssshh, nobody has to know.))
Rejected my first job interview on the basis of not having a haul to the place they invited me to. (Regretting it now, and not regretting it)
Massive work outside - field, garden and orchard (pack-mule capacity too,)
Worked outside in December in short sleeves and didn't get a cold (but man, I sweated as if there was summer! And it was under zero!)
Began with the workout - I swear the trainer is a sadistic ass, and I am fooled again and again into doing push-ups (love-hate relationship with them)
Wrote some good pieces of fanfiction, was seen as a total douche bag for biting some deserving people to death (metaphorically said), and got to know some awesome people
Participated in biting to death the SOPA thing. (I have some life indulgences and I am jealously protecting them)
Posted some of my poems on internet
Suggested a new law in parliament and was politely rebuffed.
Began to learn French of all languages (correction, Mum did, I am here as a auxiliary helper and occasional homework-writer. Merci, mere. )
Overall taught Mum the basics of working with computer (father too, along with installing the needed programs, and combating that horrifying Babylon toolbar - wised up on this one)
Was up until wee morning hours almost 365 nights - okay, with exception of some 30 or 40. Certified night owl, and still grumpy bear when mum bitches at me for my late mornings. only two notable exceptions when I was too hyper and consequently risen at the ungodly hour of 3 at morning. Dammit, my circadian cycles are messed up!
Found out our dog had a mouth cancer and was delegated as a main cleaner of his mouth. (Eww, yuck)
Did some bloody work - slicing cow livers, hearts and so on for our darling doggy, along with plucking feathers from some oversexed chicken (details won't be discussed). Oh, the joys of living in the country
Hm. Looking at the list, I was relatively good this year, even if I thought I was jobless bum at the time. /head meets desk/
Oh-kay, I would've written the list of recommendations and life lessons, but I don't really want to, and I really crave a smoothie.
So, for the next year, theme song:
BACK TO LIFE!
If I ever said "Go Home!"
Everybody here would say "Hell, No!"
All we gotta do is just let go...
We can make it through the night -
'Cause if the party is dead!
All we need is candle light!
And a little bit of dynamite!
Everybody will get out of our way!
(3OH!3, Back to Life)
Short recount of Year 2013 - hot as hell, bitchy, with wins in fics and fails at school life. Short and sweet, no?
Okay, what really happened:
Accredited as a proffesional masseuse, have certificate to show for it, even though it chomped almost all my savings to pay the lessons
Got a CI surgery done, still have to go to the fitting, becasue there's no definite hearing yet.
Fell in love with Uta no Prince Sama (anime) and it's songs. (The cast was a bonus. Bonus, I say!)
Discovered amazing song This Love by Shinhwa and Korean unique humor. (Seriously, Shinhwa, you are the best. Keep being so very entertaining.)
Accredited as a Logistics Engineer, even if I am now wondering if I was even sane when I had switched the courses. Seriously, what kind of drug I was on? (The presentation wasn't the best, though the amount of written work was honestly massive, both in writing, editing and so on. Next time, I swear I will write only half as thick of the first thesis. And yes, this still means some 40 pages. (Actually, 70, but ssshh, nobody has to know.))
Rejected my first job interview on the basis of not having a haul to the place they invited me to. (Regretting it now, and not regretting it)
Massive work outside - field, garden and orchard (pack-mule capacity too,)
Worked outside in December in short sleeves and didn't get a cold (but man, I sweated as if there was summer! And it was under zero!)
Began with the workout - I swear the trainer is a sadistic ass, and I am fooled again and again into doing push-ups (love-hate relationship with them)
Wrote some good pieces of fanfiction, was seen as a total douche bag for biting some deserving people to death (metaphorically said), and got to know some awesome people
Participated in biting to death the SOPA thing. (I have some life indulgences and I am jealously protecting them)
Posted some of my poems on internet
Suggested a new law in parliament and was politely rebuffed.
Began to learn French of all languages (correction, Mum did, I am here as a auxiliary helper and occasional homework-writer. Merci, mere. )
Overall taught Mum the basics of working with computer (father too, along with installing the needed programs, and combating that horrifying Babylon toolbar - wised up on this one)
Was up until wee morning hours almost 365 nights - okay, with exception of some 30 or 40. Certified night owl, and still grumpy bear when mum bitches at me for my late mornings. only two notable exceptions when I was too hyper and consequently risen at the ungodly hour of 3 at morning. Dammit, my circadian cycles are messed up!
Found out our dog had a mouth cancer and was delegated as a main cleaner of his mouth. (Eww, yuck)
Did some bloody work - slicing cow livers, hearts and so on for our darling doggy, along with plucking feathers from some oversexed chicken (details won't be discussed). Oh, the joys of living in the country
Hm. Looking at the list, I was relatively good this year, even if I thought I was jobless bum at the time. /head meets desk/
Oh-kay, I would've written the list of recommendations and life lessons, but I don't really want to, and I really crave a smoothie.
So, for the next year, theme song:
BACK TO LIFE!
If I ever said "Go Home!"
Everybody here would say "Hell, No!"
All we gotta do is just let go...
We can make it through the night -
'Cause if the party is dead!
All we need is candle light!
And a little bit of dynamite!
Everybody will get out of our way!
(3OH!3, Back to Life)
Monday, October 28, 2013
Doing, doing, doing... done!
So here we are, surprisingly unenthusiastic about getting the much-coveted title of Logistics Engineer (BA). Looking back, I now wonder if all of it was worth it - I certainly didn't get in much effort sometimes, so now I am growling at myself and wishing I could travel back and whack myself on the head - if that would have helped, sure - /snarks/ to get different results.
I am here, on the crossroads again, feeling as if I've lost something, and gained little. The five years of college, studying kinds of Math I really didn't want to - sure, they were interesting, but I abhorred the tests and exams - writing reports, gathering info, and learning something... new and now I am feeling strangely bereft and just not like I imagined I would after finishing the college. Was it even worth it? i don't know. On the one hand, when i am reading requirements for the jobs, I don't feel nearly as prepared as I had though I would have after finishing the college - I don't think I would have felt prepared even if I had done it with Magna Cum Laude to boot /sour growl/, but that's the reality. And honestly speaking, it sucks.
Majorly.
I feel even more burned because my presentation and the work itself didn't get the highest degrees available - but in retrospective, I did kind of bungled up the presentation - but come on, telling everything in research in measly ten minutes? Are they bonkers or what?! /incensed growl/. Hells to no. I am feeling a little averted from continuing studying, because as much as I am tempted to add the MA title, I am seriously wondering if it's even worth it. You learn, you're tested, you got graded, and then you have a paper that you can do this and that. /miffed/. I am proud that I did my thesis well - for me, it was two years of work, with both successes and pitfalls - I am wondering what would they say if they had known how much work had gone in those 140 pages - nearly getting a heart attack when I found out that part of my questionnaires - a very important one - was missing, missing the thesis because the laptop decided to be stubborn and missing chapters /exasperated groan/, and let's not even mention the massive amount of translating, checking the resources and compiling the whole shebang so that it was a good fit with everything. Honestly, I wanted to howl with injustice. Yup, still fuming a little over this. And part of me balking over the possible continuation of the study is the required writing of new thesis. No, thank you oh so very much. I've had it, and for now, I don't even want to do any kind of serious research. My brain was fried with all the data I've gone through. But on the other side, I know more about RFID than anyone aside the engineers that actively work with this kind of tech. /grouses/ Fuck it, I knew I should've stuck through with my first college, despite the OSL shit they were putting us through.
Now I am here, on the verge of the job search and still with some regret burning at the back of my skull. Whoever said that completing college was an ecstatic experience, didn't have a freaking clue. However, there's not many engineers - especially deaf ones, so I suppose I should be a lil' bit proud of myself.
Sooo... What did I learn in those college years?
Plus side:
Minus side:
Overall, feeling better after getting that rant out of my growly, grumpy little soul.
Signing off,
Eirenei
I am here, on the crossroads again, feeling as if I've lost something, and gained little. The five years of college, studying kinds of Math I really didn't want to - sure, they were interesting, but I abhorred the tests and exams - writing reports, gathering info, and learning something... new and now I am feeling strangely bereft and just not like I imagined I would after finishing the college. Was it even worth it? i don't know. On the one hand, when i am reading requirements for the jobs, I don't feel nearly as prepared as I had though I would have after finishing the college - I don't think I would have felt prepared even if I had done it with Magna Cum Laude to boot /sour growl/, but that's the reality. And honestly speaking, it sucks.
Majorly.
I feel even more burned because my presentation and the work itself didn't get the highest degrees available - but in retrospective, I did kind of bungled up the presentation - but come on, telling everything in research in measly ten minutes? Are they bonkers or what?! /incensed growl/. Hells to no. I am feeling a little averted from continuing studying, because as much as I am tempted to add the MA title, I am seriously wondering if it's even worth it. You learn, you're tested, you got graded, and then you have a paper that you can do this and that. /miffed/. I am proud that I did my thesis well - for me, it was two years of work, with both successes and pitfalls - I am wondering what would they say if they had known how much work had gone in those 140 pages - nearly getting a heart attack when I found out that part of my questionnaires - a very important one - was missing, missing the thesis because the laptop decided to be stubborn and missing chapters /exasperated groan/, and let's not even mention the massive amount of translating, checking the resources and compiling the whole shebang so that it was a good fit with everything. Honestly, I wanted to howl with injustice. Yup, still fuming a little over this. And part of me balking over the possible continuation of the study is the required writing of new thesis. No, thank you oh so very much. I've had it, and for now, I don't even want to do any kind of serious research. My brain was fried with all the data I've gone through. But on the other side, I know more about RFID than anyone aside the engineers that actively work with this kind of tech. /grouses/ Fuck it, I knew I should've stuck through with my first college, despite the OSL shit they were putting us through.
Now I am here, on the verge of the job search and still with some regret burning at the back of my skull. Whoever said that completing college was an ecstatic experience, didn't have a freaking clue. However, there's not many engineers - especially deaf ones, so I suppose I should be a lil' bit proud of myself.
Sooo... What did I learn in those college years?
Plus side:
- I became more independent
- I learned to read bus chart (needs must, and all that)
- I learned to navigate through the city
- Got used to travel via rail and bus
- Learned to do the project documentation (scary shit, but hafta do it anyway)
- Found out that I enjoy writing
- Got addicted to spicy food (Ramen! And Pizza!!!)
- If you are really needing a kick, then T-400 is the right choice (the darn thing caffeinates you up to your gills and over)
- College parties are something else
- Happily discovered the word of manga
- Learned to work with computer and it's programs
Minus side:
- Money has to be used sparingly
- Knowing when the bus comes doesn't always mean you will also catch it ( winter is a bitch),
- Winter is a bitch times two - no, times infinity. Still hate iced roads
- Roomates can be right bitches
- When you have a good idea for story, then you are called for outside work, and you don't get chance to complain (living on a countryside is not a piece of heaven)
- Waking up early is someone's preferred torture method (Not. Me. I am the victim here, ya hear!) Drinking the T-400 the night before just compounds the torture
- Night owl. Me . 'Nuff said.
- Math in all shapes sucks
- Grammar also sucks
- OSL sucks the worst. Honestly, the only torture worse than this is Latin.
- Still gotta learn. And learn... and learn. It never ends!!!! /howl/
Overall, feeling better after getting that rant out of my growly, grumpy little soul.
Signing off,
Eirenei
Thursday, September 12, 2013
Pre-tech frenzy
This is crazy.
Today was dedicated to the final proofreading of the thesis before it gets under the tech review - ugh. Just hope it will survive the onslaught.
Had trouble with my printer /sour face/, but it was all well in the end, even if I will probably have to print elsewhere if the colors don't stabilize - I have some kind of watered down ones, probably because it was - probably - in the toner-saver mode. Too damn lazy to check it right now, but I am a very happy camper that at least black color is doing well, because otherwise the entire document would have gone to hell. I also got the permission for my thesis' theme - yippee - even if it is a little later, but honestly the chapters eluded me something fierce /grumbles/. We have to giver the disposition into the reading to out mentor and chief of our cathedra, first, and this is can tear nerves, because there is checking, re-checking and checking again. /grumpy/.
I thank all the gods and angels for having a good CD burner program, because it saved me much time with burning the entire thing to CD /sweatdrops/. It's duplicate now, and when it will be the defense, it will be triplicate. Meaning, the whoppin' 360 pages, and I shudder to think about the duplicating the entire thing when the defense will be over and done with. Papirology of hell. I just hope they will be merciful and absolve the poor shmucks of the students of it somehow - we have hand tablets for reason, for Pete's sake. /growls/. Would it be too hard for the school to buy some three of six hand tablets as for using them for this purpose?
Right, right, rant over. Cross the fingers the things tomorrow will be well.
Signing off,
Eirenei
Today was dedicated to the final proofreading of the thesis before it gets under the tech review - ugh. Just hope it will survive the onslaught.
Had trouble with my printer /sour face/, but it was all well in the end, even if I will probably have to print elsewhere if the colors don't stabilize - I have some kind of watered down ones, probably because it was - probably - in the toner-saver mode. Too damn lazy to check it right now, but I am a very happy camper that at least black color is doing well, because otherwise the entire document would have gone to hell. I also got the permission for my thesis' theme - yippee - even if it is a little later, but honestly the chapters eluded me something fierce /grumbles/. We have to giver the disposition into the reading to out mentor and chief of our cathedra, first, and this is can tear nerves, because there is checking, re-checking and checking again. /grumpy/.
I thank all the gods and angels for having a good CD burner program, because it saved me much time with burning the entire thing to CD /sweatdrops/. It's duplicate now, and when it will be the defense, it will be triplicate. Meaning, the whoppin' 360 pages, and I shudder to think about the duplicating the entire thing when the defense will be over and done with. Papirology of hell. I just hope they will be merciful and absolve the poor shmucks of the students of it somehow - we have hand tablets for reason, for Pete's sake. /growls/. Would it be too hard for the school to buy some three of six hand tablets as for using them for this purpose?
Right, right, rant over. Cross the fingers the things tomorrow will be well.
Signing off,
Eirenei
Wednesday, September 4, 2013
Proofreading Ad(Vices) Times 10
Urrgh. /groans/.
If there was ever a day when I felt like a zombie slash roadkill it is this one. Mandatory visit to the doc, getting the proofreading paid - yes, despite of my nitpicking I am human who still has his own works to get checked if he wants to graduate - it's some kind of a prerequisite, and boy, I am glad I did. However, no one warns the idiots who write their thesis that they have to squirrel away some cash to pay the proofreader with. Some prices I've met in the business nearly gave me a heart attack, and not in a good sense. Got a very good proofreader - my native tongue can be absolute bitch at times, and even if I am fairly literate, I was still gawping at the amount of mistakes made in the document I've sent to proofreader. /Twitch/. But with the amount of written material it was only too easy to lose the red strand of writing properly, even if in only small things like commas and whatnot. /glares at the offending things briefly/. I am very satisfied with Alexa's work - she is professional and blitzingly fast, when you give her enough time - I gave her six days, and she finished in four, which is a very good time, considering she had to get through nearly 120 pages of techno-babble and a half. Which means 30 pages per day, and considering the work requirements, she did fantastic.
Tips when you search for a proofreader:
1) Don't over blow your thesis. Really, don't. The more you write, the more it will need to be proofread, and the more you will have to pay. Be short and sweet, but still write enough to appease your mentor. If you know what you are talking about, and you have a good mentor, it's possible to whittle down some pages from the required amount.
2) Ask around. Meaning, ask your colleagues and if possible, the ones who had already done their thesis works. Good recommendation can save you one heck of a lot of gray hair. However, a warning - look around for a proofreader before you actually need him or her, because looking for them last minute can result in gray hair, higher prices and if you are really unlucky a shoddily done work from proofreader's side, becasue they just had to catch the unreasonable deadline you decided you wanted your work back. it's good if you begin to ask before the beginning of the last year of your study course.
3) Credentials. It's your decision if you will give your work into proofreading a person or company who does this professionally - but no matter which one you take your shine and consequently work to, always check if they have their credentials. The persons employed have to be professors in the language you write in - be that your mother tongue or any other, or professional, credited proofreaders, and ideally, have some years of doing this kind of shtick under their belts. There's also a matter of colleges or universities demanding a professional proofreading, and believe me, it's within reason. Unlicensed proofreaders are rarely up to the par to the work your thesis will put them through, and if you want a job to be done well, check and then choose a professional you trust them to do it well.
4) Offers sifting. You asked around for proofreaders, sent them your document and you received - offers for the job to be done on your precious baby of a thesis. This is like getting a car to the repair - every mechanic states the price and then you consider pros and cons. However, the offers are just that - offers. You are not obliged to pay for anything until you decide to really do your document into proofreading to one or other person or company. Take your time, consider benefits and drawbacks and find the balance you are happy with.
5)Deadline. The dreaded D word. Make sure you give your proofreader enough time to do your monster right. /Ahem./ That means you will have to consider the deadline you have and the deadline to which your proofreader can finish checking your work. So no last-minute deadlines - try to give the proofreader at least one to two days of additional time in the whole deadline deal - for example, you have a thesis with 60 pages, document only. The proofreader can do some 15 pages, 20 if they are pressed, per day, but let's go with 15. This means 4 days of work, you add one more day for reserve - so your deadline is 5 days total, so you will say 5 days and proofreader will try to stick with that. The longer the document is, and if you want your proofreader to edit document, you will have to add more time to get the work done.
6) Additional services. Nowadays proofreaders also offer checking the sources, citing, editing the document by standards of your college or university and so on and so forth. You can get that price down if you do those things yourself - and you will also learn something, thought sometimes Word can be pretty stubborn, but hey, just Ask Uncle Google. Saves a pretty penny too, even if you will find yourself sometimes frustrated over one little thing or another. But if you do decide for additional services, there applies the same rule as with price haggling - get the final price confirmed in writing, with all the additional services accounted for.
7) Downsizing. Yes, you read it right. There's no need to send absolutely entire document into checking, as it also amps up the final price. Just send the document that needs to be checked, without any tables of content and anything else. For example, you have 85 pages, and if you send only document, it cuts it down on 64. Pretty sweet, no?
8) Price haggling. Usually, the prices are already fixed, but if you choose a proofreader - instead of company - you can still haggle the price. Be prepared to barter. Yes, the entire experience is terrifying at first, but if you do your document well, with minimal grammatical errors and give your proofreader enough time to check it over, the price you two can come up with can be pretty reasonable. However, a warning - agree to the price before giving the document into proofreading, both sides, so there won't be any misunderstanding about payment later. The written confirmation is the best, because it counts as a contract.
9) Checking the works. This is the time that warms the cockles of your heart. Or it should have been, at any rate. Before you pay the piper, check the piper's work. Do make an agreement that the proofreader send you a part of the document upon the finishing the proofreading so you can check over their work. Better to be safe than sorry, and if there are any misunderstandings, that they are solved before concluding the transaction - i.e. putting the money in their hands.
10) Do your job. You got the proofread document back, so what now? Get through the whole thing and check the changes, and either reject or accept them. Yes, it is a dull job, but it's the only one that really guarantees your thesis or research work will be worth both of the time and money you put it in.
Whew. I think I completely railroaded from my intentional theme, but oh well. What did I want to write about already? /confused/
Well, hopefully this little tidbit will be useful for anyone reading it.
Signing off,
Eirenei
If there was ever a day when I felt like a zombie slash roadkill it is this one. Mandatory visit to the doc, getting the proofreading paid - yes, despite of my nitpicking I am human who still has his own works to get checked if he wants to graduate - it's some kind of a prerequisite, and boy, I am glad I did. However, no one warns the idiots who write their thesis that they have to squirrel away some cash to pay the proofreader with. Some prices I've met in the business nearly gave me a heart attack, and not in a good sense. Got a very good proofreader - my native tongue can be absolute bitch at times, and even if I am fairly literate, I was still gawping at the amount of mistakes made in the document I've sent to proofreader. /Twitch/. But with the amount of written material it was only too easy to lose the red strand of writing properly, even if in only small things like commas and whatnot. /glares at the offending things briefly/. I am very satisfied with Alexa's work - she is professional and blitzingly fast, when you give her enough time - I gave her six days, and she finished in four, which is a very good time, considering she had to get through nearly 120 pages of techno-babble and a half. Which means 30 pages per day, and considering the work requirements, she did fantastic.
Tips when you search for a proofreader:
1) Don't over blow your thesis. Really, don't. The more you write, the more it will need to be proofread, and the more you will have to pay. Be short and sweet, but still write enough to appease your mentor. If you know what you are talking about, and you have a good mentor, it's possible to whittle down some pages from the required amount.
2) Ask around. Meaning, ask your colleagues and if possible, the ones who had already done their thesis works. Good recommendation can save you one heck of a lot of gray hair. However, a warning - look around for a proofreader before you actually need him or her, because looking for them last minute can result in gray hair, higher prices and if you are really unlucky a shoddily done work from proofreader's side, becasue they just had to catch the unreasonable deadline you decided you wanted your work back. it's good if you begin to ask before the beginning of the last year of your study course.
3) Credentials. It's your decision if you will give your work into proofreading a person or company who does this professionally - but no matter which one you take your shine and consequently work to, always check if they have their credentials. The persons employed have to be professors in the language you write in - be that your mother tongue or any other, or professional, credited proofreaders, and ideally, have some years of doing this kind of shtick under their belts. There's also a matter of colleges or universities demanding a professional proofreading, and believe me, it's within reason. Unlicensed proofreaders are rarely up to the par to the work your thesis will put them through, and if you want a job to be done well, check and then choose a professional you trust them to do it well.
4) Offers sifting. You asked around for proofreaders, sent them your document and you received - offers for the job to be done on your precious baby of a thesis. This is like getting a car to the repair - every mechanic states the price and then you consider pros and cons. However, the offers are just that - offers. You are not obliged to pay for anything until you decide to really do your document into proofreading to one or other person or company. Take your time, consider benefits and drawbacks and find the balance you are happy with.
5)Deadline. The dreaded D word. Make sure you give your proofreader enough time to do your monster right. /Ahem./ That means you will have to consider the deadline you have and the deadline to which your proofreader can finish checking your work. So no last-minute deadlines - try to give the proofreader at least one to two days of additional time in the whole deadline deal - for example, you have a thesis with 60 pages, document only. The proofreader can do some 15 pages, 20 if they are pressed, per day, but let's go with 15. This means 4 days of work, you add one more day for reserve - so your deadline is 5 days total, so you will say 5 days and proofreader will try to stick with that. The longer the document is, and if you want your proofreader to edit document, you will have to add more time to get the work done.
6) Additional services. Nowadays proofreaders also offer checking the sources, citing, editing the document by standards of your college or university and so on and so forth. You can get that price down if you do those things yourself - and you will also learn something, thought sometimes Word can be pretty stubborn, but hey, just Ask Uncle Google. Saves a pretty penny too, even if you will find yourself sometimes frustrated over one little thing or another. But if you do decide for additional services, there applies the same rule as with price haggling - get the final price confirmed in writing, with all the additional services accounted for.
7) Downsizing. Yes, you read it right. There's no need to send absolutely entire document into checking, as it also amps up the final price. Just send the document that needs to be checked, without any tables of content and anything else. For example, you have 85 pages, and if you send only document, it cuts it down on 64. Pretty sweet, no?
8) Price haggling. Usually, the prices are already fixed, but if you choose a proofreader - instead of company - you can still haggle the price. Be prepared to barter. Yes, the entire experience is terrifying at first, but if you do your document well, with minimal grammatical errors and give your proofreader enough time to check it over, the price you two can come up with can be pretty reasonable. However, a warning - agree to the price before giving the document into proofreading, both sides, so there won't be any misunderstanding about payment later. The written confirmation is the best, because it counts as a contract.
9) Checking the works. This is the time that warms the cockles of your heart. Or it should have been, at any rate. Before you pay the piper, check the piper's work. Do make an agreement that the proofreader send you a part of the document upon the finishing the proofreading so you can check over their work. Better to be safe than sorry, and if there are any misunderstandings, that they are solved before concluding the transaction - i.e. putting the money in their hands.
10) Do your job. You got the proofread document back, so what now? Get through the whole thing and check the changes, and either reject or accept them. Yes, it is a dull job, but it's the only one that really guarantees your thesis or research work will be worth both of the time and money you put it in.
Whew. I think I completely railroaded from my intentional theme, but oh well. What did I want to write about already? /confused/
Well, hopefully this little tidbit will be useful for anyone reading it.
Signing off,
Eirenei
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