Geography, and the impending tragic (but hopefully temporary) loss of the interwebz
Found this interesting little quiz online, that sees how many countries you can list:
192 U.N. Recognized Countries in 10 Minutes
(Note: clicking on the link takes you directly to the quiz with the 10-minute timer started!)
I only got 137 of them. And I am embarrassed to admit that for a lot of them, I only know their names from news/discussions/etc and would have a hard time placing them on a map. :( So as soon as I have time to think again, I am going to start brushing up on my world geography...
Which brings me to my next comment. It's looking likely that for at least the first few months I am in Maryland, while we are paying 2 rents, I will not have access to the internet except at work. I imagine that they will be OK with me using work computers to check personal email and my professional listserv discussions when I'm off the clock, right before or after work, but I'm not going to do much more than that. (I'll still keep my WoW account paid up of course, since it's only $12/month and this Internetless situation will only be temporary, I hope...) So I'm starting to make a list of things I want to do while I am forced to take a break from my internet junkie habits.
Exercise tops the list, as does world geography, and catching up on some reading (both fiction and non-fiction) I've been meaning to do. I'll also almost certainly need to spend some time doing some reading on Chesapeake Bay history and on maritime material culture (if anyone happens to have any recommendations for books on this topic that would be awesome, although the museum has a nice little library and checks out books to employees, so I'll be able to get some stuff from them). I've been toying with reviving my French reading skills, and beginning to learn to read German, since I bought a bunch of beginning-German grammar and exercise books when I thought I was going to do a PhD and have to learn to read a 2nd language. Starting up writing again if I can manage it. (I will still have my computer, but I don't think we'll be able to afford high-speed internet until we're back up to 2 jobs and 1 rent...and I don't think I could handle going back to dial-up.) Working on some cross-stitch projects, as I have a significant backlog of patterns, thread, and fabric--but that's an activity I prefer to undertake while watching movies or hanging out with friends, since it's not always the most mentally challenging.
Any other thoughts on non-Internet-or-cable-TV-dependent gnome activities that could be undertaken? That are free or cost minimal amounts? (And, sapphohestia, I will almost certainly be coming up to invade you on some weekends! And you too, mtreiten! Yay for old friends in new settings! And for free museums and other attractions to visit! And exclamation points!!!!1!11!)
More previews of upcoming events as I get more info :)
192 U.N. Recognized Countries in 10 Minutes
(Note: clicking on the link takes you directly to the quiz with the 10-minute timer started!)
I only got 137 of them. And I am embarrassed to admit that for a lot of them, I only know their names from news/discussions/etc and would have a hard time placing them on a map. :( So as soon as I have time to think again, I am going to start brushing up on my world geography...
Which brings me to my next comment. It's looking likely that for at least the first few months I am in Maryland, while we are paying 2 rents, I will not have access to the internet except at work. I imagine that they will be OK with me using work computers to check personal email and my professional listserv discussions when I'm off the clock, right before or after work, but I'm not going to do much more than that. (I'll still keep my WoW account paid up of course, since it's only $12/month and this Internetless situation will only be temporary, I hope...) So I'm starting to make a list of things I want to do while I am forced to take a break from my internet junkie habits.
Exercise tops the list, as does world geography, and catching up on some reading (both fiction and non-fiction) I've been meaning to do. I'll also almost certainly need to spend some time doing some reading on Chesapeake Bay history and on maritime material culture (if anyone happens to have any recommendations for books on this topic that would be awesome, although the museum has a nice little library and checks out books to employees, so I'll be able to get some stuff from them). I've been toying with reviving my French reading skills, and beginning to learn to read German, since I bought a bunch of beginning-German grammar and exercise books when I thought I was going to do a PhD and have to learn to read a 2nd language. Starting up writing again if I can manage it. (I will still have my computer, but I don't think we'll be able to afford high-speed internet until we're back up to 2 jobs and 1 rent...and I don't think I could handle going back to dial-up.) Working on some cross-stitch projects, as I have a significant backlog of patterns, thread, and fabric--but that's an activity I prefer to undertake while watching movies or hanging out with friends, since it's not always the most mentally challenging.
Any other thoughts on non-Internet-or-cable-TV-dependent gnome activities that could be undertaken? That are free or cost minimal amounts? (And, sapphohestia, I will almost certainly be coming up to invade you on some weekends! And you too, mtreiten! Yay for old friends in new settings! And for free museums and other attractions to visit! And exclamation points!!!!1!11!)
More previews of upcoming events as I get more info :)