Hey, I started late. My 'rents enrolled me in a semester at George Mason in 1976. I didn't want to go, and I was more interested in beer than anything else at the time. I flunked out right away, and mom and dad moved on to the next kid. I was free to do what I liked, and I did, until I had to sober up at the young age of 24.
My older brother Mike convinced me to take a few computer classes in an effort to as he put it: "get my head out of the rock and roll star clouds and get a real job..." (sorry if I misquoted that, Mike, it was a long time ago). I said "with what money?" Well, Mike offered tuition for 2 classes as a gift, and that seed money turned out to be very valuable. I decided to get an associate degree in computer information systems. I was frustrated that when I scheduled out working full time and going to school at night - the degree would take 6 years. A wise friend of mine told me "so what? 6 years will go by anyway - you may as well be in school". Six years later, almost to the day, I collected an A.A.S. (associate in applied science), magna cum laude.
I also got married, bought a house, and launched a computer career. after a couple years, the school bug bit me again, and I entered an undergraduate program, again in computer information systems. 3 years later, I earned a B.S. in my chosen field. THen I bought a bigger house, and my wife delivered a beautiful baby girl for us. I was out of the education business for 10 years.
A flurry of events coincided to again push me to consider enhancing my education. I chaecked out Masters Degree programs at various schools. What field? I had two degrees in Information Systems, so I decided to go the business route, and chose to go fo rthe MBA. It took 2 years, and I graduated with a 4.0 GPA. The school had no honor society, so I could not tag a 'Magna' or a 'Summa' onto it, but I'm happy none the less that my grades were so good.
The MBA was complete. I had momentum. Should I go for the doctorate? I asked friends and peers. Generally the answer was negative. "It is really tough." "It will strain your marriage." "It is pure insanity." Then there were a few that said - "It is very hard, and it takes a long time. You need support from your family and friends and work. But you CAN do it, and the reward is unmeasurable. It is achievement, awareness, capability, and understanding all wrapped up into one package."
So I aplied for the loans, signed the papers, and enrolled. That was 2 and a half years ago. In another year or year and a half I expect to complete my dissertation, walk across the stage, and get hooded as a doctor of management (DM). It has been tough. Really tough. It has strained my marriage. It has worn my nerves to a frazzle. It has affected my performance on the job. All but my very closest friends and my wife have said "quit, if it's so much trouble!" But I will not. I will finish, and it will be a crowning achievement, in my view.
The few that have continued their support will be listed in my acknowledgements. They are invaluable. As were the ones that advised me: "It is tough, but you CAN do it, and it is worthwhile.". They are my champions and my heroes. They are the people I model myself after. Simply put, I want to be like them. Do you? If you are thinking of a phD or a doctorate, I have this to say: "It is tough. It takes a long time. And it takes away from all other aspects of your life. But you CAN do it. And I believe the results will be worthwhile."
I'll let you know in another year. Until then - pray for me, if you will!
Jimmy Jones
Monday, July 20, 2009
Wednesday, July 1, 2009
Let's pretend it's warming up
We may need to soon, as we try to convince ourselves that we are warm, even as we shiver. The main problem right now is that the sun is not being cooperative in helping man turn the Earth into a gigantic ball of fire. Solar activity (sunspots and flaring) have been decreasing since 2002, and it seems that aside from all the screaming, these phenomena contribute the most, by many magnitudes, to global warming.
Less Sun activity means reduced solar winds, longer-lasting and more frequent cold advection around the polar ice caps (yes, they will grow), refreezing of freshwater bodies such as the Dutch canals and portions of the Thames, and reduction in ariable land for food production. Climate scientists including NASA solar physicists, climatologists, geophysicists, and other professionals predict that another full solar cycle, which concludes sometime in 2012, should be enough to provide strong indications for which side is right, the warming fanatics or the cooling advocates.
The reason I use these two descriptive terms (fanatics and advocates), is that global warming ideology permits no debate at this time. Try to debate the point with anyone who tells you you should stop using incandescent bulbs. Count the sentences before they call you "ignorant" or worse. Those of us who believe that the science is incomplete are not allowed to participate in the conversation.
Look at the climate legislation that just passed the US Congress without one single member of the House, Democrat, Republican, or Independent, having read the bill.
By around 2020, I believe we will have a firmly established trend of either global warming or cooling. In the mean time we need debate and peer-reviewed study - not political grandstanding. We need to hold off on decisions that materially affect the economy and the national well-being, such as the boondoggle that just made it through Congress. We need to return the debate to the scientific, not political arena.
Let us take that step in the Senate, and throw this piece of legislative junk in the trash, where it belongs. We can do it even though Al Franken was allowed to steal his Senate seat. Since Kennedy and Byrd are out for medical reasons, the vote need not be fillibuster-proof. If Republicans can act together (hear me, Olympia and Susan?), we can help protect America from its non-representing representatives. I hope this will be the case. In any event, I am stocking up on 1,000 incandescent bulbs and dimmer switches, so I can at least enjoy my lighting until I pass away. When I'm dead, I won't hear my kids and grandkids screaming at me for bequeathing them such lunacy as this climate bill.
Less Sun activity means reduced solar winds, longer-lasting and more frequent cold advection around the polar ice caps (yes, they will grow), refreezing of freshwater bodies such as the Dutch canals and portions of the Thames, and reduction in ariable land for food production. Climate scientists including NASA solar physicists, climatologists, geophysicists, and other professionals predict that another full solar cycle, which concludes sometime in 2012, should be enough to provide strong indications for which side is right, the warming fanatics or the cooling advocates.
The reason I use these two descriptive terms (fanatics and advocates), is that global warming ideology permits no debate at this time. Try to debate the point with anyone who tells you you should stop using incandescent bulbs. Count the sentences before they call you "ignorant" or worse. Those of us who believe that the science is incomplete are not allowed to participate in the conversation.
Look at the climate legislation that just passed the US Congress without one single member of the House, Democrat, Republican, or Independent, having read the bill.
By around 2020, I believe we will have a firmly established trend of either global warming or cooling. In the mean time we need debate and peer-reviewed study - not political grandstanding. We need to hold off on decisions that materially affect the economy and the national well-being, such as the boondoggle that just made it through Congress. We need to return the debate to the scientific, not political arena.
Let us take that step in the Senate, and throw this piece of legislative junk in the trash, where it belongs. We can do it even though Al Franken was allowed to steal his Senate seat. Since Kennedy and Byrd are out for medical reasons, the vote need not be fillibuster-proof. If Republicans can act together (hear me, Olympia and Susan?), we can help protect America from its non-representing representatives. I hope this will be the case. In any event, I am stocking up on 1,000 incandescent bulbs and dimmer switches, so I can at least enjoy my lighting until I pass away. When I'm dead, I won't hear my kids and grandkids screaming at me for bequeathing them such lunacy as this climate bill.
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