QuietThinker

What I received, Tom, was completely unrelated to the case that has been discussed on this thread, and while I have been away for some time, your message prompted me to return. I made two additional attempts to recover information, but, the sources with whom I spoke were not able to help me. I have it marked in my notes, and should I be in Norway any time this year obviously 2008 at this point), I suppose I could do some in-person research. However, this year going as it has gone, that doesn't look likely. Regardless, this was a thread I did not tie up when I stepped off the board some months back, and your message reminded me that this was something I had failed to report on...so, thanks for the inquiry, Tom. Yours Politely, QT

Wow, so I'm not the only one! Congratulations everyone, for working so hard and lasting the semester. And well done, Ham! I just finished my last final today, and have taken care of all my students grades. Only two of my students failed lab...I am *so* proud of them all! Yours summer-breakingly, QT

Mathematics: from the birth of numbers Statistics taught me to hate math. This book has brought back the love :) ~QT

I missed your birthday, Groucho....I was busy loafing myself! Hope it was just great. ~QT

I am extremely behind in this thread, but, Kathy's post reminded me of something. Have we touched at all on Brain Chemistry yet? Asking seriously, ~QT (Whose own brain chemistry is altered at the moment - school, feh!)

Dear Rainbow'sGirl (and everyone else, of course) My own involvement in GSC ebbs and flows with my schedule, which is probably obvious. Life does intrude, doesn't it? However, when I first came to the site, I suppose I spent about 5 months reading everything in the archives, well, to be honest, just the majority of the archives, before I even registered and began posting. What I have discovered is that GS is, like any other social structure, a diverse representation of beliefs, personalities, motivations and, to be honest, agendas. There are people here, like you, with what are the most pure intentions of anyone I've ever met. There are people, like ChattyKathy, with a huge capacity for curiosity and interest in working through a logical puzzle. There are people here whom are cast more in the mold of "defender of the faith" on any number of pet subjects. And, the list of descriptions could go on without end. So, here we are, all meshed together...in different places in our thinking, different places in our lives with different ideas as to where we'd like to end up...and, yet, this one broad commonality stripes us all--an involvement with an organization that affected us in a way profound enough that we searched out and discovered this community. In context of this community we are member of now, even our opinions and interpretations of that very thing which brought us together are very different. Jean, for example, has posted concerning the things she has felt to be positive about that time in her life and the things she sees still as having merit and value. While her opinion may lay in contrast with another poster here at GSC, it is perfectly valid and deserves a hearing--if only because she is a member of this community, and has a voice here. (Jean, you must understand I'm only using this as a larger example, and am personally very glad you've come on to post). And, I think that is finally where I'm headed with this post. It's about voice. For many people here, GSC has become a place where their voices are heard. After spending so much time having your voice silenced, and I speak not only of twi, it is a process to rediscover who you are, and who you were meant to be. Sometimes, therefore, that growing process is painful. And people shout, they whisper, the whine, they complain, they rail, they lecture (I'm probably most guilty of the last), they spit, the condemn, they praise...and sometimes, but rarely, someone like you comes along...and, then, there is singing. Joyous and clear singing. To speak, in any context, to me, is an act of bravery. Sometimes, it's an act of defiance...sometimes an act of desperation...but, to me, it always takes courage. Especially when you feel that by speaking you will face the condemnation of those around you. And, even here, and frankly I don't care how much fire this brings down upon my head, there are people who want to possess the only voice--the last word, the final say, or le mot juste. Language, as we both know as parents of very unique children, is as much a limitation as it is a door-opener. But, inadequate as it may be, it is all we have. I often find myself irritated when I tell my fella how much I love him. Love seems so plain and overused a word and wholly unable to describe the depth of feeling I carry for him. But, it is the only word I have, so, I use it. In writing this, I, too, find that the words cannot convey what a quick squeeze on your shoulder from me, your friend, would. But, again, it's what I have. This language is all any of us have...and it is sad, I think, when we use it to pummel and belittle instead of using it to illustrate that which is best in all of us. So, here we are, rubbing shoulders, all of us at the GSC cocktail party. And our social interactions shift and change as we move through the threads and the forums. There's bound to be conflict, it is, in fact, inevitable...and honestly, it's to be celebrated. Through conflict, we come to know ourselves better, and understand those around us with new eyes. However, conflict need not be hurtful in nature...so, for those that speak with an intention to wound, well...as a Christian might say, and the principle in spirit is something which which I agree, "By their fruit, you shall know them." All I can really say, and have taken much too long to say it...for all our differences, Rainbow'sGirl, I believe we are both women who stand by what we say--and that makes you, in my eyes, a treasure. Knowing you, even here, improves my life. Your voice cuts through much of the ambient noise. Yours even when busy with school, ~QT

hey, WG! Happy Birthday to you! ~QT

~~~Study Break~~~ I would suggest, Rascal, that the playing field is leveling though not fully in balance. And to be perfectly realistic, it's likely never going to be truly equal...one end slightly up, the other slightly down...always striving for equilibrium--that perfect state of homeostasis in which all systems are operating under the optimum conditions. And I don't mean to imply that women will always be on the down-side in terms of the issues that we're discussing. Circumstances have changed, as have many societal customs. What was seen as normative even ten years ago, well, shifts have occurred and still do. In the primary areas of influence--those directly in contact with each of us--there's a great deal of influence in terms of making a personal impact in education. I mean, that by our actions and examples at work and at home and with our friends, women can make a great impact on the thinking of others. (This, by the way, is also a reason why Hillary scares me, because, well, her actions and examples don't...shall we say...increase the buffer zone of my comfort level). I think it has proven historically accurate to say that whenever a group has sought to change their collective lot in the social structure, those first pioneers have had to hold a strong line. I'm thinking now of early suffragettes, the first women to enter predominantly male professions, and those types of examples. They had to be the best of the best, whether or not that was fair, in order to even be accepted. But, the continued press toward equality and the ability to command authority owes a great deal to those who first had the courage to stand up and say, "You know what, I've got a great brain...and natural abilities...I'll just be using them, thanks awfully." There are many precepts by which people can come to an individual determination of what defines the role of authority in any relationship. This thread has showcased multiple viewpoints...and I think that one commonality I've noticed is that no one commands a natural authority without also commanding respect. Authority can be wrested, abused, and used to punish as well as harm. Just because someone does that, however, doesn't make the usurpation of that authority meritorious or legitimate. Just something I'm thinking... Must....study....now ~QT

Y-I, Have a happy one! ~QT

This always happens to me... I find myself in the midst of a terrific conversation and my life intrudes. Feh. I have a gigantic test Friday (wherein I am the student and will be submitting to the Authority of both my text book and my professor) and so will be nose-buried until then. And mid-terms are starting. I also have a test of my own to sit down and write (wherein I am the teacher and will juggle the ability to use my authority in a balanced way, for while I want my test to be fair, it must also achieve the learning objectives as well as push my students to apply reason in conjunction with memorization). These have been great posts today and yesterday and I hope to have time to respond later this afternoon. And, John... I hope you will pass on to Jean how welcome her comments have been, if she's not reading herself (and a wave to Jean if you are). And I, too, hope she will return to post more. Yours hurriedly, ~QT

Well done, all you married people :-) I can't contribute meaningfully, but this is a great balance for the threads. Heartfelt congratulations and cheers to you all. ~QT

I agree, FullCircle... additionally, I would add, as well... I've got friends here. and I've learned a great deal about more than just twi, here. Oh...and have I ever mentioned that PurpleCow fixed my computer? Actually, I think WordWolf has a good idea as to why I'm here, too. Yours, ~QT