A Conversation with Elizabeth
1998
INWYM

From:          Elizabeth  
To:            mixsonl@acm.org
Sent:          Friday, March 27, 1998 5:19 PM
Subject:       INWYM
 
I Know What You Mean. INWYM. (That is our shared Myers-Briggs typology) I think business is possibly one of the most boring fields of study possible, although your opinion wasn't that strong.  That is one reason I find my Contracts course less than optimal.  ICCL.  I Could Care Less. 
 
My suspicion is that there is a combination degree somewhere though of computers AND business that might suit you.  Often, with the more independent schools, one essentially is allowed to design your own program.  You need (I sound like a parental vocational guidance counselor) to look for that. 
 
I got very inspired at Univ. of AL once and actually wrote up a program for an Interdisciplinary Study Doctoral Degree.  Interestingly, it combined all the fields which Turkle is into.  The school would approve it though only if I first completed a major piece of independent scientific research.  That was too much cold water.  I later surmised that Univ. of AL just had the provision in the catalog so that Ph.D.
degrees could be awarded to "friends" of the University who didn't want to come back to school, but needed a doctorate (sort of a courtesy Ph.D. for influential financial donors). 
 
On my last trip to FL. I listened to the entire series of Joseph Campbell on Myth tapes--and I still had time left over.  However, you have given me an idea. Thank you. The Public Library downtown does have a very good BOT collection.  I mean it is incredible (it is about the only thing in the library that is).  They have not just popular fiction, but many, many classics.  Perhaps I could read/listen to something I might never have time to read, such as War and Peace or even Moby Dick. 
 
My only problem with BOTs is that sometimes I find my mind has wandered and I have absolutely no idea what has been said.  I don't think I am a strongly auditory person.
 
What a wonderful weekend you have planned and how admirable that you are willing to work with the scouts.  Are they younger or older?  Or do scouts even age divide.  Is your troop specialized like so many here are.  As I wrote you once, my boss has a "medical troop."
 
Thank you for the explanation of the basin.  I really had no idea what you were talking about.  
 
Did you ever spelunk in G'Ville.  I think the place was called Wilson's cave. It was a land cave, not one of those underwater ones in which quite a few people have died. I had forgotten about it until you wrote of spelunking.  I went with about four or five people once, however, on reflection, I can't imagine ever doing anything like that again (and it is one of the things I can't imagine that I did THEN).  We went through what was called the "squeeze" which was literally that.  You had to lie down on your side and squeeze through this "tunnel" to get to the other side.  Now, however, I can't even remember what was on the other side.  
 
That sounds like life (Ha!)
 
Re:  Planning.  A counselor I saw when I decided I hated my job position at ASU gave me an "assignment" to do short term, medium range and long term (10 year) goals.  At least it made me realize I basically wasn't spending much time mapping out my life, but basically moving with circumstances, often coming from outside myself, such as a job "folding" and then what?  The only reason I have been able to have a five year plan is that law school will take so long.  It is three years full time. 
Since I am part time I am looking at 4-5 probably.  Instant planning. 
 
Re:  Retirement.  You have two retirement incomes to look at though.  I have just mine (and two can live almost as cheaply as one, although that might not apply in older age, if there were medical expenses incurred by one or the other).  I'm basically doing almost all I can right now, which is "not enough," but what else can I do.  Do you own your townhome?  You might need to look at that as an investment in your retirement as well.  I watched what turned out to be a stupid t.v. movie last night, although it was well reviewed.  It was stupid because within 5 minutes I predicted who the "villain" would turn out to be, which was supposed to be a "surprising" ending. Anyway, the villain was a cop who went crooked.  He was within a year or so of retirement.  His defense was "retire into what. Traveling around the country with a camper trailer on the back of a pickup truck." 
 
I don't think re-creation was original, but thanks. 
 
Do you know the story of Ann Rice, the novelist?  She was not a major writer.  Her child, who was extremely beautiful, got childhood leukemia and died after disfiguring chemotherapy/or RT I forget which.  She and her husband became virtual alcoholics and were severely depressed.  One day Rice went into her back room and didn't come out for days.  When she did she dropped in her husband's lap her very first "vampire" book.  He said, "I read it and I knew instantly our lives would never be the same."  Sue Grafton who writes those very popular A to Z mystery books started writing post-divorce to "get her anger out."  I collect these stories.  My personal myth is that one day I will sit down and write. 
Of course, I hope I don't have a tragedy to participate it. 
 
This is count down to quitting time.  I think everybody else has gone home, as I have no patrons.  I am so glad it is Spring Break, although I have to work next week.  I found myself envying some people Wed. night, who after our class headed straight down to Gulf Shores--that's the part of Alabama that is on the Gulf, i.e. the beach. They are probably the same students who already have their BMW's.  The dean of the law school drives one of those new M class Mercedes sports utilities vehicles now being manufactured not far from here. They are actually quite nice looking, solid.
 
It is a big responsibility taking out a group of children.  Did you have to get training, such as first aid, etc?  To lead a Sierra Club trip (all trips have to have a designated leader) you have to take about a two day training course.  I was scheduled to go a year or so ago, but didn't at the last minute. 
 
I hate it that the weather here is heating up.  We have the worst possible summers.  The inside of cars becomes an absolute crematorium and the humidity is ridiculous.  Florida is not worse, which many people here claim.  Here at night, it even cools off very little.  You can open your door at 6:00 a.m. and it is as hot as ever.  It's like an oven blast.  My motivation to "go out" absolutely plummets.
 
I may start parking in the deck to get my car out of the open lot.  However, a while back a female employee was severely mugged in the deck, and also it is further from the library. 
 
It is finally time to go, almost.  Thank goodness.  I was busy most  of the day, but it certainly slowed up the last little bit.  Elizabeth
 
It must have really slowed up for her to write such a long email, an jumping from one subject to another, I found it interesting.

It must have really slowed up for her to write such a long email, an jumping from one subject to another, I found it interesting.

Myths and more