Catching up on life's little joys

[flexagon]

Ever since Wednesday morning I've been floating around on a wave of relief -- I actually got to focus on regular work! For three days straight! Back to toward normal workouts, started to creep my waking-up time back toward reasonable, and now I've had an entire weekend to get my home life in order. Doing chores feels like such a luxury. I've been nibbling down my starred emails to a reasonable number. I tidied up, updated my Ravelry project page, wrote a Yelp review, alphabetized my CDs and started an eBay auction. And what's on my desk right now? Two monitors, keyboard, mouse, glass of water and a lip balm. Nothing else. Yeah!

(I do not care if I sound like a crazy lady.)

Somehow I've bought a lot of stuff lately. Some of it's seemed appropriate, like buying a ton of gift-wrapping supplies from Bob Slate before they close their doors for good. Other things just imply that I shouldn't go shopping in Harvard Square when I've just gotten off the red-eye and the Gap is having a 30% sale on everything. I finally made it to the Goodwill for a little bit of counterbalancing UN-shopping.

Since moving I've had to start all over with Catalog Choice... I'm getting stuff from the Gardener's Supply Company, ferpetesake. These days I don't recycle catalogs until I have a chance to go to the computer and say Stop It -- though in going through the stack yesterday, I think I probably will order from The Great Courses.

Comments

[a-kosmos.livejournal.com]

I don't think that you sound crazy. You sound like you're pulling your life back into balance.

[miyyu.livejournal.com]

My husband and I have been getting courses from The Great Courses/The Teaching Company for years and have never been disappointed. They have downloads for iPods now too which are cheaper and makes them so much easier to have around. Some of their courses are very video dependent, though, which is my one (minor) complaint. If you want recommendations for professors or titles, let me know. :)

[flexagon]

Oh, cool, it's really good to know that someone I respect has been a customer of theirs! I've always wondered if they were good or if they were too dumbed-down. I'm currently interested in the following, all of which are on crazy-sale through 4/21:

• Change and Motion: Calculus Made Clear (for me, I want a refresher that I can knit while watching)


• Understanding the Fundamentals of Music (for a friend)


• Lost Christianities: Christian Scriptures and the Battles over Authentication (for my dad, he likes that stuff.)

Any experience with those?

[miyyu.livejournal.com]

I liked the guy who did the music courses, but I do have a music background and I think that helped. My husband (who does not) was a little less into them, but the professor is at least enthusiastic.

I love Bart Ehrman, who did the Lost Christianities one, among others. I've also read several of his books. He's very droll and quite the expert.

I can't tell you about the math one, we've never got one of those yet, but my husband really wants the very one you are talking about.

One of my favorite professors is one of the history guys, Garrett Fagan. He does ancient history, mostly Rome, and his stuff is fascinating and well organized. He's also got the most delightful Irish brogue and a wonderful sense of humor.

Truly, the Teaching Company is one of the few places I never mind spending money.