I'm tired!

Okay, I've been working and studying. Work is okay, but class is hard. I want to get a B or better. Sorry, I will try to post something twice a month. Please forgive me for being aloof. Oh, I just got the AT&T Quad Bundle. I'm just thrilled with the monthy cost of HDTV (Dish Network), High Speed Internet (AT&T Yahoo), Cell Phone (Cingular), and my Land Line (AT&T). Everything is on one paper bill a month. Woo hoo!

Back to studying. :(

Fifi is in the Hospital

Happy Birthday to me!

Happy Birthday to me on September 5th!

A dedication to HUb'

To HUb', my friend!

Love,
Candy

Virgin Galactic

Virgin Galactic is a company established by Richard Branson's Virgin Group to undertake the challenge of developing space tourism for everybody.

Virgin Galactic will own and operate privately built spaceships, modelled on the history-making SpaceShipOne craft. These spaceships will allow affordable sub-orbital space tourism for the first time in our history.

Due to the unique technology developed by Burt Rutan, this space craft design has overcome the difficult issues of re-entry into the earth's atmosphere faced by so many designers trying to create efficient, re-usable space vehicles.

We believe that it is in mankind's interest to develop our knowledge and understanding as well as access to space. Every customer of Virgin Galactic will be helping the development of a new generation of space craft.

Designs for the Virgin Galactic craft are progressing on a weekly basis at Rutan's base in Mojave, California and by early 2005 the final design for the maiden Virgin Galactic ship, the VSS (Virgin SpaceShip) Enterprise, should be signed-off.

What will follow will be a concerted Research and Development programme to earn the craft their qualification to carry some of the world's first scheduled space tourists. Safety is paramount. It is planned to have multiple levels of redundancy on key systems in order to achieve a very robust system in every phase of flight.

Virgin's experience in aviation, adventure, luxury travel and cutting-edge design will be vital in contributing to the design of the spaceship, the smooth operation of the spaceline and creating an unforgettable experience unlike any other available to mankind.

"We've always had a dream of developing a space tourism business and Paul Allen's vision, combined with Burt Rutan's technological brilliance, have brought that dream a step closer to reality. The deal with Mojave Aerospace Ventures is just the start of what we believe will be a new era in the history of mankind, one day making the affordable exploration of space by human beings a real possibility."

Richard Branson

Historical Foundation Presents...

United Airlines Historical Foundation is hosting a very unique event at Aurora Municipal Airport. On September 30th and October 1st, 2006, a magnificently restored EAA 1927 Swallow Air Mail biplane will be at the Aurora Municipal Airport offering rides to the general public. I'LL BE THERE ON THE 1ST!

The Swallow is part of the vintage fleet at EAA's Pioneer Airport and is painted in the 1926 Varney Air Mail Livery which began the first commercial air mail service in the Pacific Northwest. Varney, one of four air lines merged into United Air Lines in 1931.

The United Airlines Historical Foundation provided support to the Swallow's restoration and is the host of this two day event.

Those who wish to experience the thrill of riding in an open cockpit air mail biplane may make their reservation at www.uahf.org.

Rides will be every 30 minutes. Cost per single passenger ride is $150.00. I JUST SENT OFF FOR MY TICKET!

Watch for some cool photos of this experience! You can see me touching the Swallow below from the United Family outing at the Schaumburg Airport.

It's time to fly!

I feel trapped in my current job. With so many cuts worldwide, ~50,000, there is just no room for advancement. I am planning on taking some time off, so I can concentrate on updating my resume. I'm ready to move on to bigger and better things. It seems scary, but it also feels right.

I'm willing to relocate. Being single with no children is a big plus for most companies. The continued education is not a bad thing, either. I want to learn and experience more in life. This won't happen over night with my busy work and school schedule, but it will happen sooner than later. "It's time to fly!"

TM584

I registered for a new class. TM584 is Telecommunications Law & Regulation. I'll post more when I get the details. My buddy, Mehul, is taking the same class. He works for Pepsi, and he is hot! Oh, I can't wait to sit by him in the back row. Purrrrrrrr!

Networking Concepts and Applications

IS589

I'm taking IS589! I love this class.

Networking Concepts and Applications focuses on design, development and operation of a data communications system and computer networks, and emphasizes the management of data distribution and access. The course includes essential elements of networks including hardware, software and interfaces.

I have to do a group project with two other students. If I deem it worthy, I'll post it for all to see.

Googling "Candy Stair"

I was googling my name, and I found several pages where I'm found cyber-living on the Internet. What I didn't expect was to find was 3 articles, thus far, using my previous article about Rachel Carson (googled "Candy Stair" page). They mention my word document (actual article written by me) as an external link, and they quote me as literally coining the phrase, "Rachel Carson is the mother of the environmental movement." How cool is that?

Okay, I'll post mine!

Drivers Licence Photo: I look like Bernadette Peters with strange hair.

Where did I find this photo?

Dr Brian Cox - "It looks like a drivers license photo!" LOL

Living vicariously through Gia

"I'm squishing your face." This photo reminds me of the Kids in the Hall Show. Kudos goes to Gia for taking another yummy photo of Dr Brian Cox.

I love airplanes!

I'll look for my photos from the Schaumburg Airport Family Day. It was an outing for United Airlines employees two years ago. I'll load them soon.

Edit (photos added): I took a really cool helicopter ride. I'm standing by the Swallow, which was United's first link to history. If you want to see more photos of the private planes, let me know.

Dulce en Mexico

I’m thinking about buying property in Mexico for retirement. I would build the perfect home with all the latest amenities and technical equipment. Hey, the cost of living there is cheap. Plus, I’d be close to the USA. This is something I’ve only been thinking about for along time. I just want to live in comfort for old age. Funny, the Mexicans want to come to the USA, and I want to go to MEXICO.

Anniversary Time

I’ve been with the same company for almost 9 years. My anniversary is May 19, 2006. WOW! Coming from a dysfunctional background, I would never have thought I’d come this far in life. I consciously made a decision to focus on work and school, while tuning out my friends and family. I don’t date. I don’t go out for fun. I’m determined to succeed. I’ve channeled all my monies into buying a home and a car, plus saving for retirement. I’m just trying to improve my way of living. I was taught to rely on others (men) for security, but I don’t like that idea. No offense, but I don’t think people (men) are reliable or responsible for me. Do you think I’m on the right track?

Hewlett-Packard

I finally bought a new Notebook and Printer! The notebook is an HP Pavilion dv8225nr, and the printer is an HP PSC 1510. Wow, a scanner on the printer. Now, I can load my old photos from circa 1970. I'm now in the process of upgrading my current ISP to High Speed. Plus, I have to transfer all of my documents. I need to download other Microsoft programs, so work and school will be more user friendly. This may take some time, since I'm so freaking busy.

My older (2001) Dell Notebook is having major hardware problems. After I get everything "moved", I'll take Dell in for servicing. The old PC will go to my mother in Indiana. She's been wanting better access to the world, and now she will have it. She was involved in a semi-truck/car accident approximately two years ago. It wasn't pretty. She lost all short-term memory. Hopefully, having to concentrate will be beneficial to her recovery. Only time will tell.

Dr Brian Cox Unofficial Fan Club

If you look real close, you can see the mysterious words written by Gia. This is an example of the fun we had last year. I've not got the "official" go ahead for the "unofficial" fan club for Dr Brian Cox. I'm hoping Gia will give her blessing. It appears that the man has a huge following. I still like to think I am his number one fan.

Here's another link to Gia, his wife. This is her work blog, Sunshine. Gia states, "[T]here's a lot of science, astronomy and mythology there as well as stuff about the film." That doesn't look like work, that looks like fun! Well, after I get the blessing, then it's off to cyberworld in search of Dr Brian Cox. I'll keep plugging Gia, too. <-- not in a naughty way!

This weekend, I go shopping for a new computer.

Dr Brian Cox is married!

I posted awhile back about my encounter with the hot young doctor. I've had a few responses for those that did the google to find him after viewing him on the television. They found me!

Our lovely photo (okay, my face) was "disfigured" in the website by Mark at NeonBUBBLE. [Edited after Gia's post below. I still want a friendship with the gorgeous Dr Brian Cox. I promise I won't molest him. I just think he is so interesting. I won't hold my breath, though. LOL]

His wife's name is Gia! This is her new blog where you can find more information out about Dr Brian Cox. She has conveniently provided links. God Bless, Gia!

Keller Graduate School of Management

I officially enrolled in Keller's master's degree program in Network and Communications Management. I'm hoping to learn all aspects of technology. My company is ever increasing with newer technologies. The program will allow me to learn crucial information for sophisticated network technologies and voice/data communications. I believe this is the secret to being successful at my company on a personal level.

I had my first class last night. FI501 Accounting and Finance: Managerial Use and Analysis. I'm a week ahead of schedule with projects and assignments due to a misunderstanding of the online syllabus, but it's all good. The pressure is now off for last minute deadlines.

I just went through a week of training for work. We will be implementing a new program soon affecting the entire system with scheduling and forecasting manpower for the offices across the world. It's very exciting. Additional training is coming in a few weeks, and the instructor asked that I attend the course. I am not currently scheduled. Let's cross fingers in hopes I will be accepted. This is a great opportunity for me to learn.

Additionally, there are some positions opening in the next few years for my "expertise". Another program is getting implemented that affects all customers on a global level. I've been approached and will most likely be considered for another position. I look forward to the day I can really get some hand's on experience.

Wish me luck!