Midnight Musings

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2009-01-01T06:24:00.000-08:00

~~~UPDATE AREA, scroll down for daily posts~~~thank you for visiting...
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Email: mintas.fotos@gmail.com if you would like to publish the content.

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Labels: Alerts, PictureS, UpdateS, WorK

~the NEW /IMPROVED beanbag =) ~

2008-08-06T06:26:00.000-07:00

today....a fellow tweeter'er offered to send stuff related to what is Big in Japan ( Sumo Omnis ) if I would post information on my blog.

On his site he describes the Omni as:

This super-sized pillow by Sumo is the ultimate solution for all your relaxing needs. We’ve come up with 10 ways to use it, but some people say we lack imagination! It’s a crash mat, lounge chair, loveseat or floor pillow to name a few, but the possibilities really do go on. Sumo Beanbags are made from space age rip-proof nylon and come filled with top quality Sumo Beads. Omni is 4.5′ x 5.5′ and it only weighs 18 lbs!

& has some really cute pictures of people sitting in these new types of beanbags.....
(if i had the money.....i think i would prolly buy one.... =)

anywho....go on over & check them out!...purchase one for your college student for the dorm...your kids for their room....or for yourself to plop down into after a long day at the office =)

Labels: UpdateS

~8 of 100~ scooter, b4 she jumped up to give me a kiss~

2008-08-03T06:27:00.000-07:00

~8 of 100~ scooter, b4 she jumped up to give me a kiss~, originally uploaded by ~mintas.fotos~.

~8 of my 100 dog strangers to meet & make friends w/ =) ~
this is scooter...
her bro is harley...
they are jack russells & still babies...
with
LOTS.of.ENERGY!~

their petparent is wonderful too.... =)

wanna know something funny about the puppypark?

i know people by their dogs..
& know the dogs names much better than i do their parents....

anywho...off to bed.....tmrw is another day....

~update ...tears & a general waving of fists at the universe~

2008-07-25T06:28:00.000-07:00

ok..
so the last we left our heroine, she was broke, jobless & had just written another bitchy note to the esteemed university she was getting her PhD from.....

today?...
she got this letter: ( i apologize for the length..but the email history kinda tells the whole story)

From: Dr. XXXXX - SOHS Social Services Adjunct Faculty
Sent:Fri 7/25/08 6:18 PM
To: D Minta

Minta,

Good email. I was going to suggest you write this. They really owe you an explanation, if for no other reason that they have hung you up so.

I am heartbroken for you. Hopefully, we will get something back from them that will give us some direction to go in.

We will talk next week.

Dr. XXXXX

From: Minta
Sent: Fri 7/25/2008 6:08 PM
To: augusta hays
Cc: marie russell; frank.faenz@ihs.gov; Dr. XXXXX

Good Afternoon Dr. Hays,

I am wondering if there is any additional information, insight or feedback which you could provide me. I really do not want to believe that my study will not be happening.

I have invested years into this journey and would really appreciate knowing what specifically caused Dr. Russell & some of the other staff of PIMC all of a sudden to not be able to "support my proposal".

Over the last couple of months that we have been talking about what this study could provide, everyone seemed rather enthused.

I am a bit confused and quite frankly rather heartbroken.

I would really appreciate any information or advice you may have as I am willing to change whatever Dr. Russell and her staff feel is needed in order conduct my study.

Looking forward to hearing from you,

Minta
PhD ABD
School of Human Services
Capella University

Date: Fri, 25 Jul 2008 19:58:48 -0400 (**notice that she hit the send button at 4:59 on a fri day afternoon...ie.e waited all week & with all the chickenshit efforts she could muster she sent this bullshite)
From: Marie.Russell@ihs.gov
To: minta
CC: Augusta.Hays@ihs.gov

Minta-
I have had the opportunity to discuss with Frank Saenz and Kim Couch your proposal. Though we all respect the work that your have put into your proposal we are unable to support your proposal.

I greatly apologize for the delay in being able to respond but wanted to give your proposal the benefit of review by interested parties here at the Medical Center.
Sincerely,
Marie Russell, M.D., MPH
Associate Director Centers of Excellence (Acting)
Phoenix Indian Medical Center

Date: Monday July 21,2008 2:12 PM
From: Minta
To: frank faenz@IHS.GOV
Good Afternoon Frank,

It was a pleasure to speak with you today.

I appreciate your understanding the confusion I have experienced during my recent efforts to track down who I need to speak with in order to finalize the paperwork for Dr. Augusta Hays.

Thank you for taking the initiative to assist me.

As you can see from the chain of emails below, I have been in pursuit of this for a couple months now.

I have attached my proposal for your reading pleasure & look forward to following up with you tomorrow.

Minta
PhD, ABD
School of Human Services
Capella University

From: minta
To: augusta.hays@ihs.gov
CC: Dr XXXXX faculty.capella.edu; marie.russell@ihs.gov

Date: Fri, 18 Jul 2008 15:51:48 -0700

Good Afternoon Dr. Hays,

I am following up with in a two-fold effort. I wanted to update you on my latest efforts & conversations.

Since our last emails, I have contacted and spoke with Dr. Russell, Kim Couch, Kathy Schwartz (Knecht), & left messages for Holly Elliot & Frank Faenz.

Everyone I have had the opportunity to share my proposal with was enthusiastically on-board, but was not comfortable giving that final magic sign- off that I need for your IRB requirements.

If you could please direct me to the individual that has the authority to give the letter of concurrence, I will meet with them asap.

As I have stated in our earlier conversations, my university has granted one last extension for me to get my IRB approvals done.

I hope you can understand the pressures I am under to produce the final paperwork they need to move forward.

I look forward to hearing from you,

Minta
PhD, ABD
School of Human Services
Capella University

Date: Thu, 26 Jun 2008 11:13:08 -0400
From: Augusta.Hays@ihs.gov
To: minta

I am very sorry for the delay in reply. I have been out of town for the last couple weeks.

Thank you very much for your prompt and thorough submission. The revised study will be submitted for expedited review.

This requires review by two IRB committee members and is usually accomplished fairly quickly.

However, we do need the letter of concurrence and identification of a research liaison at PIMC to complete your application in order to begin the process.

Please let me know if you have any questions or if I can help in any other way.

From: Minta
Sent: Monday, June 09, 2008 3:58AM
To: Hays, Augusta E. (IHS/PHX);Russell, Marie A (IHS/PHX)
Cc: Dr. XXXXX Capella Univ. committee chair

Good Morning Dr. Russell, Dr. Hays& Dr. Jones,

Please find attached a 'cleaned version' of my Proposed study of NativeAmerican Mothers visiting the Phoenix Indian Medical Center.

After speaking with Dr. Russell last week, I removed any Navajo specificreferences to facilitate a smoother IRB journey for my study at the Phoenix Indian Medical Center.

I have also attached a 'cleaned' copy of my IRB application for Capella University for your review.

I look forward to hearing of the 'next steps' in this journey and will followup with each of you mid-week to discuss.

Regards,
Minta XXXXX PhD, ABD
School of Human Services
Capella University

In addition to finding out my study may not ever happen....I go to check on my funds ( from which I need to live on) ...& they're still not released. I also found this little gem:

When can I expect my financial aid refund?
Refunds are processed up to 7 calendar days after your loan disbursement posts to your account. Please allow up to 3 business days for your refund to be directly deposited into your account, or 3-5 business days for mailing time of your check. Aid disbursement begins during the second week of each quarter.

UM...THIS IS BEGINNING WEEK 4 F*ckers....week 4!~ yeah....I am at a loss....

& u want to hear the best part to all this shite? I called my mom last week to talk to my dad.....to grovel...I have NEVER asked for funds from them. I finally mustered up the guts to do so.....& "he was sleeping"...& my mother....told me to think about getting a waitressing job.....yeah...thanx mom...thanx for the (never had to work as she raised the three of us) worldly advice there mom. Tell your daughter who made 6 figures last yr ...& is in between jobs trying to also complete her PhD to "get a waitressing job"....ohhh yeah..THAT will pay the bills....& make the most of all that education....

then my dad called back a couple days later.....
& I chickened out...
thinking the education funds were coming (which i am still waiting on )....
so it will all be ok....
I've got a couple interviews lined up....

I think this weekend I might have to make that call to dad after all...
god...
my life sucks donkey dicks right now...

Labels: PhD, RanTs, UpdateS, WorK

~my latest complaint w/ my esteemed PhD~

2008-07-23T06:29:00.000-07:00

are you kidding me?

first, i complete the ADDITIONAL requirements ( at the last minute announcement, mind you), then I send a note explaining my views,concerns & opines regarding this new hoop, & then to add the icing to this mud cake of a process Capella seems to have created..... I go back into the additional courseroom to check if I have any further information to read? & THAT POSTING HAS MYSTERIOUSLY DISAPPEARED!?!

yeah...why not....its only my financial aide money...its only what I depend on to buy groceries, pay my light bill, put gas in my car so I can continue this uber frustrating process I started almost 5 yrs ago.

but wait!~ theres more.....

I decide to call Capella Support to calm my fears regarding this whole process....& what does the robot phone system lady tell me (which btw? to my surprise is working today...) "sorry, call back later....all learner support is on a team building event!?!?!?

R u kidding me?...no one there to answer the phones?

well..I shouldnt be surprised, there were no emails telling me this term I was enrolled...I had to call to find out. There was NO call back to even acknowledge my mssg or internal email communication yesterday....& today...NO ONE to talk to....

thanx.....I feel SOOOO valued as a Capella learner.

& yes ...I know this note is rather caustic......so be it. They say the squeaky wheel gets the grease....lets see if the old adage is true....

your "was really happy to refer people to capella learner.....now...not so enthusiastic about this whole thing...." PhD learner....

minta

~7198:YIP~...after the puppy park~

2008-07-20T06:30:00.000-07:00

~7198:YIP~...after the puppy park~, originally uploaded by ~mintas.fotos~.

took ALL pups to the park tonite....
for two hours...
Bella....ran around, made friends, bossed everyone else around, gave her battle cry when she felt it necessary....generally stuck her nose in everyone elses business...

Zoe....jumped into anyones lap that paid attn to her.....jumped back down...& repeated about 20 times....

& my psycho korkor?......
SO PROUD...
she watched for the first hour from my lap...
then for the next 1/2 from the ground sitting safely between my feet....
then when things calmed down a bit...& there were less puppers running around....
i let her off the leash....& she actually allowed others to pet her....other dogs sniffed her....& she ran around the little pups park =)

all in all?....it was a good nite at the park.....& now they are all zonked out....yay!~

~HA!~....have to have money to spend it ...so i guess i

2008-07-18T06:31:00.000-07:00

Sagittarius Horoscope (Nov 22 - Dec 21)

Spending money when the Full Moon is in your 2nd House of Resources may not be the smartest thing to do because you are likely to be more emotionally attached to something that you want. Purchases now will probably be based more upon a whim than on need. You can avoid buyer's remorse by waiting a day or two before completing the deal.

More for Sagittarius: Weekly Love | Monthly Forecast | About Sagittarius

Labels: Humor, PagaN, PictureS, UpdateS

~my good deed for the day~

2008-07-05T06:32:00.000-07:00

~my good deed for the day~, originally uploaded by ~mintas.fotos~.

ok...
so...i was out getting groceries in the heat of the day yesterday...
& saw this little guy dash across the busy road....
& then dash back.....
as i was quickly buzzin by...
i noticed he was having a hard time getting back up on the curb & sidewalk....
& it broke my heart......all i could think of was his little feet getting burned....& the fear he mustve been experiencing....

so .....i turned around ......park my car down the way a bit...& walked back searching for him....
knowing that i might walk up on a squished critter.......
1/2 of me was say "u really dont want to see that...u're gonna look silly crying by the side of the road".....
& the other half was saying "but if you can save him....well....that's just the right thing to do ....
((thinking of right mindedness ...laws of buddhism))

so.....i found him.....scared out of his little mind.....picked him up & put him in the tree so the birds flying around wouldnt scavenge him if he was going to recover.....

took his little picture & went home.....
i'm sure he died......from the trauma & possibly the fright.....
but at least it wasnt as he burned & watched in terror as a tire came to roll over him......

=(

~738:YIP~playing w/ rediscovered old digital~

2008-07-03T06:33:00.000-07:00

~738:YIP~playing w/ rediscovered old digital~, originally uploaded by ~mintas.fotos~.

if u're wondering y i look soooo tired...
it is because i had just gone thru my finances....
realizing what is still due after paying the mortgage, h2o bill, suv payment, & car insurance...

i am wondering how the hell i will manage to get everything paid out of what is left in the checking acct....

time to pull out the wican spells....
lite some incense...
& ask the universe what the hell is going on ??......

OY!~

~fresh water~

2008-06-27T06:33:00.000-07:00

~fresh water~, originally uploaded by ~mintas.fotos~.

in the summer..every nite...
after it cools down a bit...
we all go out to play a bit in the back.....
(well...i pick up tootsie rolls, they play)

i also turn the hose on ...
so it swirls the water in their kiddie pool...
& put the balls back in ......

tonite......korkor beat zoe to the red squeaker ball .....

mainly because that big blue one scared her....lol

u can hear chix in the background talkin from her room......
& every so often u can hear bella growl from frustration....she never goes in.....but gets all bent out of shape that she cant get the balls.......

~6278~...new curtains~

2008-06-27T05:34:00.000-07:00

~6278~...new curtains~, originally uploaded by ~mintas.fotos~.

new for the piano room....
old (out of storage)...

i bought these over two yrs ago....
from a Tibetan furnishings shop in flagstaff,AZ.

i had originally wanted them for the tv room....but the colors didnt really go after i got them home....
& because i couldnt afford to buy another set to place behind to stop the sheerness of them from outside prying eyes....into storage they went.

so.....last nite.....as i was realizing i needed to take the heavy forest green tapestry ones in for cleaning.....

i remembered i had these.......& i am so happy that
they work just beautifully in the piano room...

except for ONE thing......
one VERY LOUD thing...
that thing called chicken!~

her room is an enclosed room off the sliding doors of the piano room......

so now......whenever i cross from the kichen / tv room side of the house into the hallway/bedroom side of the house?

she sees ALL....& usually yells out to greet me....or the dogs...or whatever she thinks she can see now......

i am thinking ( hoping) that this excitement of screaming out everytime something moves in that room - behavior - will calm down......~

oh well......i luv her...& the curtains.....so i'll leave it be for now....

or until the neighbors complain... =)

~it's official !~

2008-06-25T06:35:00.000-07:00

mintasfotos.com is up up and away =)

please come on over , take a run thru the different menu items.....
& either email me from there.......
or come back her to share your comments, views & opines...

~WoOt wOoT~

Labels: Alerts, mintasfotos, PictureS, UpdateS

~isnt pollution beautiful?~

2008-06-09T06:37:00.000-07:00

~HWAW!~, originally uploaded by ~mintas.fotos~.

well..
its 4 am....going to bed ...finally ...
after yet another cleaned copy of my dissertation proposal.....
cleaned copy of the consent form...
cleaned copy of the International review boards application...

u see.....
after changing all reference ( and supporting discussion) of generic "native americans" to more specific Navajo Nation native american women .....at the behest of my committee chair....

the Dr, in charge of the Phx Indian Medical Center said there was NO WAY I would get permission to conduct my study from the Navajo Nation ....as they are uber strict......

so....u guessed it....
changed them all back to generic reference to Native American women.....plus all the discussions surrounding any Navajo translators, translated docs, Navajo Nation members, self-identified Navajo mothers....etc.

so ....yeah.....running in circles as usual w/ all this.... =)

nite nite.....today( after getting some good sleep.....) i play .....

~FUTAB~....brought my own ladybugs~

2008-06-06T06:37:00.000-07:00

~FUTAB~....brought my own ladybugs~, originally uploaded by ~mintas.fotos~.

....on a side note....
anyone else remember the "bug-a-boos"?
it was a little HR puff-n-stuff rockband...
who lived in the tree tops ...
& rode around on flying bugs.....
when they performed....?
yeah..
I know......
those HR puff-n-stuff people,
in my opinion....
had some GR* smoke ....huh?..... =)

"the bug-a-boos....the bug-a-boos...."
"they're in the air...they're everywhere"....
"the bug-a-boos"........

~update on the big cabash that is my so called job~

2008-06-03T06:38:00.000-07:00

~628:YIP~...shush... he thinks he's camouflaged~, originally uploaded by ~mintas.fotos~.

i am sooo confused.......yesterday, i survived a day of going in...doing my work...completing all that i could on the tasks i was given for the week....( 3 of 5 for the week done before 11 am...)....& waited to hear ANYTHING from anyone on the team...it seems as tho they are starting the big shutout....if u've worked in the cold inpersonal chickenshit environment that is the IT corporate world ......this is that which occurs when one is being phased out.... no answers from emails in addition requests to not attend weekly status meetings....todays manadatory team meeting was also just cancelled.....so ...who knows wtf is happening ...i guess i sit here and wait until i either get walked out ....or called on the phone by my recruiter.....in the meantime"?...i'll finish my breakfast burrito since i paid for it already & lord knows i may need to start watchin the pennies again.....BAH!~

~618:YIP~ ...Steve~

2008-06-02T06:38:00.000-07:00

~618:YIP~ ...Steve~, originally uploaded by ~mintas.fotos~.

we named him steve...
cause when stu was describing him over the phone to me...
he said he was "funny lookin in a sorta funny lookin way"...
just like the girl described steve buscemi....
in FARGO

he really is a sweet dog....
more pics to come....
of him ....
in his pool ...lol

~happy dog~

2008-06-02T05:39:00.000-07:00

~happy dog~, originally uploaded by ~mintas.fotos~.

this is STEVE.... =)
he's such a happy boy.....
& SOOOOOOFT!~.......
just wanted to hug him & squeeze him...& call him George.....