Friday Five

stolen from redgrrl

1. What is your current occupation? Is this what you chose to be doing at this point in your life? Why or why not? Computer programmer / software engineer, call it what you will. Yes, I chose this... sort of by default. I had a few possibilities in mind, and when the only school that accepted me was MIT, the choice was made.

2. If time/talent/money were no object, what would your dream occupation be? Oh, I have LOTS. Writer. Composer. Editor. Person who climbs tall things to repair stuff -- anything tall, doesn't matter what. Airshow pilot. Airplane mechanic. Astronaut. Dominatrix. Prostitute. Dancer. Counselor. Sex counselor. Sex surrogate. Foreign language translator. Traveler or travel writer. Photographer.

3. What did/do your parents do for a living? Has this had any influence on your career choices? My mother was a full-time mother. Yes. I knew I definitely didn't want to be one of those. My dad was a computer programmer. Yes. I knew I could be one of those, and that was one of the few things I had in mind at the end of high school.

4. Have you ever had to choose between having a career and having a family? (Snide voice) Is this question asking whether or not I am female? (Serious voice) Not really; I wanted one and not the other, so it wasn't a "had to choose" kind of situation.

5. In your opinion, what is the easiest job in the world? What is the hardest? Why? I guess it's all about aptitudes. Some jobs would be heinously difficult for me, but are easy for others. So, what would be the easiest job in the world for me? Probably book critic. I LOVE to read, and I could easily write short stuff about what I have read. Hardest? Anything in the public eye (Queen of England, actress, rock star), or anything involving birth (mother), or anything involving dealing with irate customers (flight attendant, fast food or retail cashier, etc).

Snippets and bits

Phew. Finally have backpack reservations. The number of recordings, permanent busy signals, and disconnected numbers I have run into today is really astounding. One recording told me simultaneously that 1) [something... recording was cut off at the beginning] was entirely full and therefore arriving before 8am and waiting for someone to check out was the best strategy, 2) that trail camps were available on a walk-in, first come first served basis, and 3) the number to call for trail camp reservations was [a number that turned out to be disconnected]. That was the best. In fact, I think it was that same recording that told me camping was $15 and was also free of charge. Gotta love it.

I sure do hope those trading cards fade into obscurity soon. My browser really doesn't like them. The Friends List filter's getting heftier by the minute.

My runs are getting longer, bit by bit. I ran a little less than a mile (.88 mile) this morning. My pace seems to be speeding up, too; if I set the treadmill's pace where I had it last week, I kept running into the front bar. I feel good knowing that both the distance and the speed are increasing. For the middle of week two, I'm pleased. My knees are giving me just the tiniest of twinges, though. Must do my stretches! Must roll on the Torture Device! Be good, CJ. You know you don't want to be badly injured again.

Houseguests are staying with us for a weekend square dance. I do like dancing and I do wish I were qualified to attend this one, but THIS weekend I like backpacking MORE! Wheeeeee!