Management?

Good Afternoon, Gentle Readers!

Today's image is titled Incandescent. I really did not intend for the background to be so dark, but one of the layer filters seems to do that a lot. I decided to run with it and use one of my normal filters for the next layer up. What you see is the result.

You may remember that I said I was going to have to read the same amount of material in five weeks that before I had nine weeks to absorb. Well- I was more right than I knew; I needed until last night to get caught up on my reading and note-taking. However, I am caught up and even a little bit ahead, so I should be able to take a breather for a few hours. I am fortunate in that the first paper I have due is a fairly simple one; I just have to apply the four functions of management to an organization, and I didn't have to look far for an organization to apply the principles to. Not many people think of this, but even a household can be considered an organization, and things can go wrong when it is not managed well.

Wish me luck, Gentle Readers!

Until We Meet...

Classmate Concerns

Good Afternoon, Gentle Readers!

Today's image is titled Passing Through. As you might expect, it isn't quite what I really wanted to try for at first. However, the addition of the bright green band helped make up for any other lacks I might have thought the image had.

The temperature today isn't bad at all, but the wind is making it feel colder than it is. I will probably indulge in a mug of hot cocoa later on. As it was, I didn't really want to wake up this morning; I was too comfortable in my nice warm nest!

I have been idly thinking about my next birthday, and it occurred to me that I'll have that shortly before my next course starts! I'm not sure whether to call that a present or ominous.

I am a little concerned about one of my present classmates. This person is in a Bachelor's Degree course, but has trouble with the basics of writing sentences and paragraphs. This person also is pretty bad about using words that sound like the words intended, but have a very different meaning. And I'm not so sure this person is aware of the problem. The rest of us will have to find a way to gently break the news I think; The classmate is a hard worker, and it would be a shame if that hard work didn't earn a degree because of technicalities.

Until We Meet, Gentle Readers...

Getting Caught Up

Good Afternoon, Gentle Readers!

Today's image is titled Sunny Ball. I chose that name because of the warm colors I used in it. While it is sunny here, it is also cold- so I thought a little warmth was very much in order.

Boy have I been burning the midnight oil the past few days! I think I'm about caught up to where I feel comfortable with my class, though. But I don't dare slack again! I think I know what I will be needed for with the team project, but I'll have to see what my team mates say this time. A few of them don't seem to use English as their primary language, so working with them will be a bit harder than with my last team. Wish us luck!

Until We Meet, Gentle Readers...

New Course

Good Afternoon, Gentle Readers!

Today's image is the original Green Light. I used a black background- Something I don't do often- and worked over that. If I remember correctly, this was slightly before I discovered the use of layers. I may attempt this image again in another color to see if I am correct.

Last night, I got to meet my new instructor. This gentleman seems to be a bit of a paradox: a small-town fellow with a big city education. He seems to have a quirky sense of humor too; He referred to his home town as a big city, which he and his wife decided to move out of. He seems to have had quite a busy life since then too! I also had the pleasure of learning that one of my classmates from my last course would be joining me for this one. The lady in question is an incredibly hard worker! I told my last facilitator that I predicted that nothing would get in her way. I'll have to see who else will be joining me for this course.

Until We Meet, Gentle Readers...

Changing Gears

Good Evening, Gentle Readers!

Today's image is Green Light 2. I numbered it to differentiate it from the first image of that name. For those of you who have not seen it yet, I will present the first Green Light image tomorrow.

It's a very strange feeling, knowing that I have completed the first course of my Bachelor's program with a reasonable amount of success. I might even say impressive success, considering the reaction of my academic advisers. I say advisers for two reasons; One is that I've had several since I first started attending the University of Phoenix. The other is that apparently I am being transitioned to a new team, since I am no longer studying for my Associate's degree. I will be relieved when this is over; It will mean that I no longer have to wrangle for the financial aid I really should have had all along.

Until We Meet, Gentle Readers...

Ahead of the game

Good Afternoon, Gentle Readers!

Today's image was dubbed Solar Flare by my husband. I attempted another halo effect, and while I didn't get exactly what I planned, I did get something a little unusual from a filter that I normally don't use.

Today was much sunnier than yesterday: Quite cheering even though it was still cold outside. I think it was warmer than yesterday too because the heat didn't come on quite as often.

I haven't re-opened my new text since the last time I wrote here, Gentle Readers; The brain really did want a day off. Since I was just a little ahead of the game, I decided to grant it. But I'll be diving back into the books later tonight; Having come this far, I've no intention of slipping now!

Until We Meet, Gentle Readers...

The Bookworm Strikes!

Good afternoon, Gentle Readers!

Today's image is titled Framelit. I really wanted to add some bright green to the image, but apparently the pink and blue weren't having it with this especial filter. This image was an interesting experiment, though!

Last night, I did start studying my next course's material, and taking notes. This time, I started including the chapters I took the notes from. That should make it easier to relocate items if I need to look at something again. I have a feeling I'll need to if I have to write any reports. There were a number of previous courses where I had to write reports, but had forgotten where exactly I had seen something- and it drove me batty! Move over, Dracula!

Today has not been a good day to go outside; It has been chilly and wet. Fortunately, a nice hot cup of coffee is good for running even the worst chills away! There were a couple of things I wanted to do outside, but they will wait.

Until We Meet, Gentle Readers...

Eek!

Good Afternoon, Gentle Readers!

Today's image is titled Golden Glow. Yesterday, I was looking through a few of my archived pictures and came across several that had a central object surrounded by a halo. I decided to see if I could do that deliberately again. I'm satisfied that I succeeded!

I took a look at my next course's material last night. One work; Eeek! It looked an awful lot like the work load for accounting- Only worse because I have only five weeks to pack it into! The good news is that several of the supplements gave me a good idea of what the best way to approach the work would be. Out comes the Great Yellow Pad! Wish me luck!

Until We Meet, Gentle Readers...

School is Cool- Maybe too much!

Good Afternoon, Gentle Readers!

Today's image is First Day of Spring by Ron Venable. Considering how much of the country is now buried under snow and ice after the storm, and how this same storm is still moving easy, I thought we might enjoy a few hopeful thoughts.

Yesterday it was almost warm here- But now, I'm wearing my 'paws' and a sweater my husband got for me for Christmas. Boy am I ever grateful for it. Tomorrow, I'll definitely go back to wearing layers.

I woke up extremely early this morning with an inspiration for a paper- and didn't dare relax until I had written about half of it! I now need the other half- but I think I know what to do about that too. It should be ready to go by this evening. I had to choose a professional organization to write about. I'm pretty sure that the suggestions in the syllabus have been done to death, so I chose something else that the listed organizations are likely to depend on. Wish me luck, Gentle Readers!

Until We Meet...

Lots of Schoolwork!

Good Afternoon, Gentle Readers!

Today's image is titled Webbing. It is one of several I made while working with the yellow to red range of the spectrum recently. I may try something like this again, with a tree nestling a ball- but right now I think I'll let it rest for a while.

The mid-west is still buried under snow and ice- and by comparison, it's almost balmy where I am. I don't expect it to last long, but it is nice to not have to wear my 'paws' while typing!

It's a good thing too; I got faced with another algebra problem to try to help solve, and it drove me up the wall! The person I was trying to help was already there waiting for me- which I have to say is laughable, now that it's all over.

For myself, I have only one paper really to write for my present class- and it shouldn't take long. When I tried to locate an article for the second discussion question, I found the article all right- But the thing wouldn't open to the article! All it would open to was the citation! That was frustrating; It means I'll have to either locate that item again, or find a comparable one that I can work with.

Wish me luck!

Until We Meet, Gentle Readers...

Weird Weather!

Good Afternoon, Gentle Readers!

Today's image is titled Phoenix Flower. As you may imagine, it wasn't exactly as planned. But considering how much of the country is under a blizzard warning, I thought a little warmth was in order- even if it is only through a virtual medium.

An indeed, this entire week is going to be down-right weird as far as weather goes! According to the forecast, by Wednesday much of the continent is supposed to be buried under snow and ice- but where I am, it's supposed to be almost warm with a wind bringing warm air from the southwest! It's almost like someone is pulling a blanket over us! Granted, the bottom will fall out of the temperatures again- but I can only shake my head.

Until We Meet, Gentle Readers...