nerdygirl85

noreply@blogger.com (Amber Johnston) — Sat, 07 Jan 2012 03:10:00 +0000

noreply@blogger.com (Amber Johnston) — Tue, 29 Nov 2011 06:43:00 +0000

I havent written for awhile, even though a lot has been on my mind. Tyrell finally got a job. Its work-study, but its doing what he loves; making maps. Hopefully, this will bring him some joy. As for me, I am struggling to decide on what to do for next semester. I signed up for classes, but I dont know, I might change them all at this point. The last few weeks has been a test of my many friendships, we shall see where the cards lie soon enough.

Happy Birthday Gare Bear!

noreply@blogger.com (Amber Johnston) — Fri, 02 Sep 2011 07:22:00 +0000

My cousin Gary Jentink is 19 today. I am sad, but honored because he isnt here for me to tell him Happy Birthday, but, he is at Boot Camp training to protect our country. Love you, and miss you Gare Bear, Happy Birthday <3

Birthday stuffs!

noreply@blogger.com (Amber Johnston) — Thu, 01 Sep 2011 18:01:00 +0000

OMG yay! I am already starting to get Birthday gifts <3 (Thank you George!)

I got an Ansel Adams book, which I am most excited about, I can finally dig out the camera and start playing around with it again, it will give me a hobby to distract me a bit from school. :)

<3

the best thing about online classes...

noreply@blogger.com (Amber Johnston) — Tue, 30 Aug 2011 18:15:00 +0000

is that they dont observe holidays or weekends....I have stuff due Monday (Labor Day) and on Sunday (My Birthday) :(

.lamesauce.

First day back at school

noreply@blogger.com (Amber Johnston) — Tue, 30 Aug 2011 02:02:00 +0000

God what a long day... I almost feel like i bit off more than I can chew... but I think ill manage. It doesn't help that my car is having problems and will be in the shop till Thursday...which puts me doing my training for Kohls, and the first week of school w/o a car. so excited. I managed it pretty well today and tomorrow shouldn't be too awful, luckily Wednesday I don't have my Art class so I can spend a few hours working on my other subjects, and of course next Monday is a holiday as well. I can have a relaxed birthday on Sunday :)

EDU 204 - Should be fairly easy if the teacher can just post the assignments early.

ENV 100- Lots of reading, and a fair amount of studying, but it seems like a intense review of my NRES class I took last year, so the concepts shouldnt be too hard.

PSC 211-Lots, and Lots of reading, and more reading, and writing, and more writing, I know its a 200 level class, but wow.

ART 100 - Tyrell took the class last Spring, I know what the basic stuff is in the class, I might struggle a bit with the weekly vocab tests, but we shall see.

CH 201- Havent had this yet (tomorrow), but I have Tyrell, my roommate, and another friend (all whom are straight A students) taking the class. How do I not get an A?

I have a hard time with reading and taking notes, it takes time for me. But I think, no, I know, I can do this :)

Wooden Boat Classic coming to South Lake Tahoe

noreply@blogger.com (Amber Johnston) — Mon, 18 Jul 2011 06:07:00 +0000

Wooden Boat Classic coming to South Lake Tahoe: "The fourth annual South Tahoe Wooden Boat Classic charity event will be held July 29-30 at the Tahoe Keys Marina and Yacht Club in South Lake Tahoe. The event will include more than 65 antique boats on display."

No iPad? Just Make Your Own!

noreply@blogger.com (Amber Johnston) — Mon, 18 Jul 2011 06:00:00 +0000

No iPad? Just Make Your Own!: "

Admittedly, this isn’t the most practical solution for getting your hands on a tablet computer, but it’s impressive to watch this timelapse video wherein Liu Xinying builds his own iPad clone from computer parts. Here’s part 2, where he shows the finished build. It appears as though the tablet is running Windows XP, skinned to look like Mac OS X. Liu demos the tablet with web browsing, Google Earth, and a iBooks-like application. It’s a slick build, but I think I have a lot to learn before I could possibly attempt an endeavor like this. [via Dale]

Using Google+ Hangout Video Chat for “Maker Show-and-Tell”

noreply@blogger.com (Amber Johnston) — Mon, 18 Jul 2011 05:57:00 +0000

Using Google+ Hangout Video Chat for “Maker Show-and-Tell”: "

I helped ladyada set up the first ever DIY electronics show-and-tell using google+ hangout video chat, it was fantastic. Here’s a brief write up.

The first ever electronics show-and-tell over google+ hangout was a success! We’re going to do this again, next time we’re going to start at 9:30pm ET on Saturday nights. That’s 30 minutes before “Ask an engineer“. We might have a recording of this first ever, but check out some of the screenshots (above).

Here are some quickie thoughts about what worked, features we’d like to see and more:

The show-and-tell is so much fun, no one wants to leave. So we’re going to do it 9:30pm and the first 10 people who are in are in for the full 30 minutes to show-and-tell. We were able to do about 10 in 30 minutes, that’s a perfect amount of time for us before the show without fatigue from the show-and-tellers or us.

The agenda driven video chat with a moderator asking questions and moving things along (us) worked great.

We’ll likely be able to record these and post them later (working on the first one now).

Watching a YouTube video didn’t work for everyone.

The text chat was handy for URLs for later and for folks talking to each other during the show-and-tell.

We are researching the best way to live stream the 10 people in the google+ hangout on Ustream at the same time, it’s all messy and complicated but we have some ideas that hopefully will not add a board, a 3rd computer and 3rd net connection :)

There are not any admin tools yet, we didn’t need any and hopefully never will. There’s just “mute” and “report abuse”. Since you can manage things with circles and blocking, that might be enough.

We loved it, it was like a mini Maker Faire!…

We’d like to thank the first folks who showed up with their projects and we look forward to the next group next week, see you then! Add us to google+ (http:///gplus.to/adafruit) to stay tuned for the next one!

I’m pretty sure google would like to see more of this – people sharing their creations using one of their new services. It’s one of the best uses I can think of for google+ hangouts. I think this tool is a winner for people who create and share.

Not really related, but worth mentioning since it will come up in the comments – (personal opinion) — I realize this might just be a shiny new toy for now, but for me Facebook is the “RealPlayer” of social networks, they took more value than they gave back for far too long.

I’m glad there’s an alternative for sharing and collaboration now with more features that seem to be interesting to makers. Historically Facebook hasn’t done much in the Maker community, I’ve tried to get them to participate in Maker Faire each year (and would still love to have them, there are a lot great ideas for Facebook + Maker Faire). While it would be impossible to be a fan of everything google does, they’ve been part of Maker Faire many many times, they’re doing a Science Fair, they have a hacker space for employees, they’ve adopted Arduino for Android, lots of good OSS efforts and the tools they’re creating with more control and ownership seems to fit the maker mindset better – it does feel like they’re listening, I hope they keep it up.

Im Home

noreply@blogger.com (Amber Johnston) — Wed, 13 Jul 2011 19:52:00 +0000

On July 10, I quit my job at camp. I wanted to have the few weeks before school to get better. On Saturday night I had another PTSD breakdown and I realized that it is severely affecting my life and I need to get help.

So I am home now...

I am still planning on going to school this semester. I think with the ongoing counseling I should be able to do this.

Camp let me have the experience of a lifetime, and I will never forget it. Thank you to everyone who made me laugh, and who gave me that experience.

Camp journal: june 23 2011 22:51

noreply@blogger.com (Amber Johnston) — Fri, 24 Jun 2011 05:51:00 +0000

Today was a good day. Just a fantastic, need to write about it day. I woke up a bit sore because being here is a ton of work. I got up around 6:30am and went and walked up to the dining hall and noticing no one was there I went and walked to the chapel. Sitting on the altar just watching the lake that was like glass it was amazing then I went up to the dining hall and as with every morning it is usually me and the ridge boys and Jeff we usually talk about random stuff until mor people wake up. At 7:30 is the directors meeting, then flags,Breakfast was eggs (which were rubbery) and the always strangly textured oatmeal (it was really runny this morning). And the guys I hang out with are really awesome, they consist mostly of waterfront and climbing staff. We then did some training and then broke into our programs, we had girl scouts come into camp today so I had to prepare for that. We cleaned up a lot of stuff, and then went to lunch, then after lunch we had a mock fire drill. All of the "adults" who were 18+ got picked (if they wanted) for fire crews...I didn't want to do it. I know I'm a Wildland Firefighter...but...I just didn't want to...I eventually got onto the medic crew which I was estatic about. I think I really might got for my EMT training eventually. Anywho, we then did our girl scout craft which gave me a good idea of how my 2 other people would do for the "real thing". After that we went up for Pow Wow practice, which I really do need practice for...but it is SO much fun. We walked back then flags, and dinner. And then we had some training, then we went to the firebowl (which again is sooo much fun). It was 8:30pm and Tamala let us go early. Which after this week I think we all needed. I took a much needed shower then some of us sat on cabin porchs and told jokes, listened to music, just kinda hung out. 10:30pm is lights out, so I usually go into bed and just lay in bed with my ipod until I fall to sleep...
:)

Fathers Day

noreply@blogger.com (Amber Johnston) — Sat, 18 Jun 2011 08:41:00 +0000

If you know me well enough, you know my dad and I don't have a good relationship. It progressivly has gone down hill during the last few years and now, its non exsistent. I don't talk to my dad. If he called me I would talk to him. But I am tired of putting my hand out only to get bitten right back. He isn't a horrible father, in fact a lot of my memories with him are very pleasant. We just grew apart. People have asked me to "forgive him", what they don't understand is that it isn't at all about forgivness. I am not mad at him, actually its quite the oppisite. I feel sorry for him. I am sad about how my dads life is. But I can't fix it. Same as Susan, it is not my fault they are not happy. That's okay, I've come to terms with that. So, why don't I just talk to him? Because he hurts me. Not on purpose, of course. He hurts my heart, it tugs at my soul, this pain I feel whenever I talk to or have anything to do with him. I hurt. It is just emotionally and physically a huge toll on me. A toll that I do not need to take on. I know my dad loves me, and I love him. I wish there was an answer, or an easier route but this is what I got so I will take what I have. As for Fathers Day, yeah I admit, I try and ignore the holiday but it hurts just a bit to know that we stopped exchanging cards several years ago...and I can't send a card, or a note.

Then there is Tyrells dad Ed. I am actually sending him a letter from camp. Why? Because he picked up where my dad left off I am grateful he will soon be my father in law as well.

Lastly, my uncle Jim, you and Shirley do not realize how you have touched me with your love, caring and understanding, I feel like one of your own. And I cannot express how much this means to me.

Wonderful life

noreply@blogger.com (Amber Johnston) — Tue, 24 May 2011 03:08:00 +0000

I wonder about fate sometimes. I wonder why I have to wait for the end or beginning of something, for so long. The pieces of things that are all there, but not quite put together. I am impatient at times, but I am okay with waiting if the end is worth it. The last 3 years have been a series of endless waiting only to find the end to be, less than ideal. I want Tyrell to get this job more than anything else. Why? Because I want to FINALLY start a life with the man I love. The man that I can't get enough of. The man that makes my heart stop everytime he's in the room. I want to be able to not worry about trivial things, and just focus on us. Now wouldn't that be a wonderful life.

noreply@blogger.com (Amber Johnston) — Wed, 18 May 2011 05:40:00 +0000

How can it be considered stealing when the WiFi signal is trespassing in my fucking house?

Its done!

noreply@blogger.com (Amber Johnston) — Tue, 17 May 2011 03:55:00 +0000

So, I got an A in Wildland Firefighting, and a B in my First Responder class. I will still have to file an appeal for my financial aide...but I did it! I managed an entire semester and got amazing grades. I have never done this before so its just an amazing amazing feeling. I am stoked. Now I've got Camp on the 19th of June, and then when I get back it will almost be time to start school again... :)

Are we really friends?

noreply@blogger.com (Amber Johnston) — Sat, 14 May 2011 22:55:00 +0000

In the last month I have done a whole lot soul searching about what it really means to be my friend, and why the friends that are my friends, are my friends, and more importantly what makes me a good friend.

This is hard because I have different way at looking at friendship than most. I had very few friends in elementary school, I was just socially awkward, and save from my best friend that lived across the street, there wasn't anyone in school that I would have actually called "my friend".

Then in middle school my first year of 6th (I repeated 6th) there really was no one that was a true friend, I would latch onto these psycho girls who would use me to do their dirty work. My second year of 6th grade though, by some miracle I met a group of friends that have etched themeselves into my heart forever (I even had one of them as my bridesmaid at my first wedding!) The others I have occasionally run across through facebook, or myspace. And yes all of that group that I ran with until I moved to Reno, I remember everyone of them and sometimes miss them to. :)

8th grade I moved to reno and made 3 friends in the short time I went to Billinghurst. Will (tattoo), Taryn (she was my very bestest friend), and Danielle (also a good friend), we didn't all do things together, and some of us flip flopped a lot as friends, Wil and Taryn, (no offense Danielle) were my very best friends, even in high school, even after, I still would think about then often, and am glad that we are now all grown up, and stuff. In high school, shit got complicated, I met a bunch of cool people (Natalia, Nathalie, Ryan, Matt, Julio, Geoff, Kevin, Shayna) and there others but my mind is drawing a blank at the moment.

Friendship by highschool was different, it wasn't giving someone your juice box, it was more complicated, especially with raging hormones, I liked a lot of boys, dated like 3 of my friends, I mostly stayed with one guy, but my friend friendships got complicated I mean high school is hard, you start forming opinions about life, and sometimes those differ than the rest of your so called friends, things just get different when your not sharing crayons. Lol. I lost most of those friends in high school, I've seen a few since then, and they are all doing well (most of them at least) and I am happy for them. But now, friendships are hard to find. I don't go out as much as well, I never really went out a lot, making friends is complicated, unless you have some sort of common ground, their really isn't anything you can do to make it work, and unless your just looking for sex. What is the point?

I talk about sex. A lot. And my relationship, a lot. Its something I am passionate about, I also talk about politics, and the enviroment and cooking, all a lot. I can get nerdy at times, but I know some things you just can't tell other people and expect them to know what your talking about. But for a person and me to be friends, you have to be willing to accept the above. I am a pretty flexible person, but I need you to be able to hold an intellectual conversation with me. Also, not to sound immature, because I do like to receive advice, but I don't like being told what to do. There is a big difference and if you don't know what that difference is...then we won't get along at all. I am opinionated. But when you grow up if anyone is worth anything, they have opinions, and you can have different opinions and still be friends.

Now just because tyrell and I have this open relationship doesn't mean, I can't just have guys or girls as friends. I have both genders of friends and most of them I don't fuck. Sometimes not because I don't want to, but simply because its just a different relationship. I don't see them as attractive, or simply there is no need, its not just about the sex, its about emotions that you feel towards others, I feel emotions towards both sexes, nothing wrong with that, and why can't I express that? Is that wrong?

The thing I am getting to is that I care very deeply for the real friends I have, I try and keep up with what's going on in their lives, be happy or sad, be a shoulder to cry on, find things you like and tell you about them, or give them to you randomly, I spoil my friends when I can invite you on random trips, and involve you in my life. I don't expect you to do the same, we all have different ways of expressing friendship, but I wish people would understand the above things sometimes, if we have to actually work hard to be friends, and you don't understand those basic things, its not going to work.

My final thing is: do you have certain people who you just can't seem to be friends with? Why is that? What do you consider to be "good friend" qualities?

noreply@blogger.com (Amber Johnston) — Sat, 30 Apr 2011 09:17:00 +0000

Oh Come On I had to do it! (Royal Wedding Twitter feed)

noreply@blogger.com (Amber Johnston) — Wed, 27 Apr 2011 22:23:00 +0000

Almost Done!

noreply@blogger.com (Amber Johnston) — Tue, 26 Apr 2011 00:58:00 +0000

So the semester only has 3 more weeks! I just cant believe its almost over! I have already started prepping myself for my classes in the Fall, choosing them, and seeing what I need, etc. I will be SUPER bummed if I cant go full time in the Fall. But it all depends on getting either 2 A's in these 2 classes I took this semester, or an A and a B. If I even get 2 B's I will ahve a 1.9 GPA and then I wont have met "academic progress" for financial aid, and I'll be screwed :( So I am really trying super hard. If the final in my Wildland Firefighting class has any indication of my grade, I will have gotten an A in that class. (My certificate is below! super proud of myself for doing that. even if I did end up failing at the hikes we did). So now we have 3 weeks (plus one night of an extra lab) for our First Responder course, then I'm done done! Then on June 19th I head to camp for the summer, come home on August 6th, and then Fall semester begins on the 27th. This year is flying by!

another day in paradise

noreply@blogger.com (Amber Johnston) — Wed, 13 Apr 2011 20:45:00 +0000

another windy day! bleh. I hate the wind. I am Going to be so glad when this Wild-land Firefighting class is done. Its a really dry class, and it eats my soul. But, it will be an easy A. so I can get my financial aide back, and actually get back to going to school full time. yay! Anyways, we have a full week, last week we missed class; so we had to make up all the homework for class, plus come in early today (5 instead of 6) and take our 2 tests we missed. Oh, and then Friday, Saturday, and Sunday is our Wild-land firefighting classes. Tyrell is amazing and I dont know how he does it, cause he also has work on top of all of this. I also have started doing something (of which I will spill the beans on later).

noreply@blogger.com (Amber Johnston) — Tue, 12 Apr 2011 21:11:00 +0000

youll never understand the depth of my love for you.

Congress

noreply@blogger.com (Amber Johnston) — Mon, 11 Apr 2011 02:05:00 +0000

My mom sent me this forward:

---
Amber,

What's your opinion on this?

>
> -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
>
>
>
> Congress Reform Act 2011
> Please consider forwarding, if you agree.
>
>
>
> I have cleaned this e-mail of all other names, sending it to you in
> hopes that you will keep it going, keep it cleanand read it all the way through.
>
> The 26th amendment (granting the right to vote for 18 year-olds) took
> only 3 months & 8 days to be ratified! Why? Simple! The people
> demanded it. That was in 1971...before computers, before e-mail, before
> cell phones, etc.
>
> Of the 27 amendments to the Constitution, seven (7) took 1 year or less
> to become the law of the land...all because of public pressure.
>
> I'm asking each addressee to forward this email to a minimum of twenty
> people on their address list; in turn ask each of those to do likewise.
>
> In three days, most people in The United States of America will have the
> message. This is one idea that really should be passed around.
>
> Congressional Reform Act of 2011
>
> 1. Term Limits.
>
> 12 years only, one of the possible options below.
>
> A. Two Six-year Senate terms
> B. Six Two-year House terms
> C. One Six-year Senate term and three Two-Year House terms
>
> 2. No Tenure / No Pension.
>
> A Congressman collects a salary while in office and receives no pay when
> they are out of office.
>
> 3. Congress (past, present & future) participates in Social Security.
>
> All funds in the Congressional retirement fund move to the Social
> Security system immediately. All future funds flow into the Social
> Security system, and Congress participates with the American people.
>
> 4. Congress can purchase their own retirement plan, just as all
> Americans do.
>
> 5. Congress will no longer vote themselves a pay raise. Congressional
> pay will rise by the lower of CPI or 3%.
>
> 6. Congress loses their current health care system and participates in
> the same health care system as the American people.
>
> 7. Congress must equally abide by all laws they impose on the American
> people.
>
> 8. All contracts with past and present Congressmen are void effective
> 1/1/11.
>
> The American people did not make this contract with Congressmen.
> Congressmen made all these contracts for themselves.
>
> Serving in Congress is an honor, not a career. The Founding Fathers
> envisioned citizen legislators, so ours should serve their term(s), then
> go home and back to work.
>
> If each person contacts a minimum of twenty people then it will only
> take three days for most people (in the U.S. ) to receive the message.
> Maybe it is time.
>
>
>
> LET'S FIX CONGRESS!!! If you agree, pass it on.
>
> If not, just delete. You are one of my 20+.
>
> Please keep it going.

My opinion:

This is how I feel:

Yes there should be term limits. but I dont care if you go back to Washington. I think they should be able to do 2 or 4 years then have to take a term or 2 off, so we dont end up with people like Harry Reid who hasnt been back to Nevada in so many years he has forgotten the very essence of the people he is representing.

I am totally fine with them getting their pensions they deserve it. go them.

http://urbanlegends.about.com/library/blcongress.htm
They DO pay into Social Security. and they do have their own retirement plans.

"
Under a law enacted in 1983, all members of Congress both contribute to and receive benefits from the Social Security system. Upon retirement, members receive either a combination of federal pension and Social Security benefits or Social Security alone, depending upon when their term of service started and how they configured their individual plan.
Members elected after 1983 pay into the Federal Employees Retirement System. Members elected before 1983 participate in the older Civil Service Retirement Program. In both cases, members of Congress contribute to the plans at a slightly higher rate than ordinary federal employees."

Honestly I laughed when I read the part about giving them a raise "by the lower of CPI or 3%." There is Oh so many problems with this and way to many to get into here. But put it this way, If you did that we would be in way more trouble than we already are..

They earned their health care. They all have private insurance, and guess what ... YOU can to.

& finally (because the last point isnt even worth going into) They DO abide by all the laws we do.

half of this is misinformation and the other half is wishful thinking of Democratic voters. The End.

you see right through me

noreply@blogger.com (Amber Johnston) — Sun, 10 Apr 2011 08:40:00 +0000

You let me win, you let me ride, you let me rock,

you let me slide and when they looking,

you let me hide, defend my honor, protect my pride

The good advice, I always hated but looking back,

it made me greater, you always told me,

forget the haters just get my money, just get my weight up

Know when I'm lying, know when I'm crying

It's like you got it, down to a science, why am I trying,

Know you ain't buying, I try to fight it, back with defiance,

you make me laugh, you make me hoarse from yelling at you,

and getting at you, picking up dishes, throwing em at you,

...

then you start dressing and you start leaving,

and I start crying, and I start screaming,

the heavy breathin', but, what's the reason,

...

You see right through me how do you do that shit

Freedom of Speech

noreply@blogger.com (Amber Johnston) — Fri, 08 Apr 2011 06:36:00 +0000

Reno Gazette Journals new website, I think it looks very nice. BUT. They now require more involved profiles in order to comment. which also means they block people a hell of a lot more. when they block you, every comment you have made changes to this:

"This comment was left by a user who has been blocked by our staff."

Someone needs to tell me why this is at all okay?! So if they disagree with you, then they BLOCK YOU?! talk about no freedom of speech!

School

noreply@blogger.com (Amber Johnston) — Wed, 30 Mar 2011 11:17:00 +0000

I've been feeling this overwelming sence of urgency to get my education finished lately. I am rather far behind; and after I calculated it out...I am at the beginning. Which is frusterating, to say the least. Also, although I am finding my self more empowered to get through all of my math, I am still finding the task extremely daunting. I have maybe a middle school level of math. Pre-Algebra level at best. In order to graduate with my degree, I have to be in Calculus. Let me spell that out for you that is aprox 5 classes between me and graduating. I can't graduate in 2 years. More like 3. Because I can't even take some of my core classes without taking those math classes. Hell even my electives which are literally: Physics for Scientists I&II require me to have calculus under my belt. So I just suck. I have to do SOMETHING. I realize its stupid to say I don't want to do a degree because I don't want to get through the math, but I really don't. I HAVE TO test into math 128 in order to get though my degree in 3 years. Yes you read that right. If I test into a higher than average college level math class I can get through my degree in 3 years. God help me.

**bangsheadagainstwall**

Okay I think I'm okay now. Its just frusterating. I also want to do Boy Scout camp every summer, because it will be fun, an amazing experiance, and looks ultra fab on my resume. So no summer classes for me. That being said if I do come out of TMCC with my associates in Environmental Science then...I take what? Forest Management at UNR? Hmmm maybe I should compare the two degrees.

Sometimes I just hate college.