My father was a fanatic about buffing our wooden floors when I was a kid. He bought a commercial buffer through a relative owned, janatorial service many years ago. The thing was a monster, dragging you all over the place, left, then right, almost demolishing everything in its path. And that was when it was used correctly! So needless to say, it's hard to handle. My dad has since passed away and it looks like the buffer is being retired. My mom isn't so fanatical about her floors so she doesn't really care what its destination is.
That unholy buffer was the cause of many arguments between my father and myself. His philosophy was to keep the floor shining as long as possible by constantly working on it. My philosophy was that the shinier the floor, the more it would show scuff marks and footprints so why worry about it. I think the same way about leaf raking. Leaves are a natural covering and besides...who said a yard must be devoid of foliage (my dad for one). So the buffer's now in our storage room awaiting its fate. Daddy, I am sad that you're gone. I just can't say the same thing about your buffer.
Thursday, March 17, 2005
Saturday, March 12, 2005
Taking the GRE
Well, what can I say. I took the GRE on my 44th birthday this past week. I felt absolutely relaxed because I knew I was as prepared as possible, having taken a continuing education, prep class beforehand to learn the way you take the test. I knew the toughest part would be the math but as the instructor said, “it's not about doing the math as much as it is thinking mathematically.” And how right he was.
The math problems consisted mainly of comparisons that were visually challenging. Close examination of each problem was required to verify what numbers canceled each other out or contained more than a value of 0 or 1. Right and wrong answers depended on how you read the problems. I think I did better than minimum in this section.
The vocabulary part was challenging because of the as is questions. As long as I know the definition, even remotely, I can usually make a comparison. There were a few fill in the blank questions which were easier. The latter part of the vocabulary was reading comprehension. As usual, if the passage was difficult to comprehend, it was tough to find the answers, especially those asking for relevancy to the overall article.
The essays took the longest but were by far, the easiest for me. The object is to write a persuasive essay based on one of two subjects and an argumentative one based on the topic you're given. I'm better at the persuasive. I knew the characteristics they would be looking for making it easier to compose overall. The argumentative is not as direct but I think I did pretty well.
Aside from the test, I have several observations on the experience itself. The test interface is presented in a 16 color graphics mode, (circa 1991) which is clunky and poorly designed. The typography (if you could call it that) on the screen is about as legible as a stick figure is to a fully rendered human body. The line length stretched the width of the screen in a 100 plus character array that was difficult to follow. If you have to turn your head to complete a sentence, the line length is too long! There were no type characters per say, rather an asci character that resembled a type character. At the prices charged for taking the test, these folks could hire designers to do the graphics.
The keyboards are the type consistent with a 1980's PC, very harsh key response; think clickity clack.
Whoever design the testing center obviously did not take ergonomics into consideration. The facility was a psychologists nightmare, uninviting to say the least. Seating was uncomfortable and the testing area was cramped. I was initially denied use of my lumbar support pillow in the testing area, complaining politely but firmly that I needed it for the three hour plus exam. After some hushed discussion between the test administering person and her supervisor, I was allowed to carry it in.
If the testing center demands excellence, why should I not demand as much? I gave them a 2 out of 10 stars for their efforts (and I'm being generous). The GRE test practice software isn't even available for the Mac? I sense resistance to change on their part, probably monetary based.
The test took about three and a half hours to complete. Since I finished around the same time as the others giving me the sense that I was on average, my spirits were lifted. This was the last step in the admission process I need for the two MFA programs I have applied to. Here's to the future!
The math problems consisted mainly of comparisons that were visually challenging. Close examination of each problem was required to verify what numbers canceled each other out or contained more than a value of 0 or 1. Right and wrong answers depended on how you read the problems. I think I did better than minimum in this section.
The vocabulary part was challenging because of the as is questions. As long as I know the definition, even remotely, I can usually make a comparison. There were a few fill in the blank questions which were easier. The latter part of the vocabulary was reading comprehension. As usual, if the passage was difficult to comprehend, it was tough to find the answers, especially those asking for relevancy to the overall article.
The essays took the longest but were by far, the easiest for me. The object is to write a persuasive essay based on one of two subjects and an argumentative one based on the topic you're given. I'm better at the persuasive. I knew the characteristics they would be looking for making it easier to compose overall. The argumentative is not as direct but I think I did pretty well.
Aside from the test, I have several observations on the experience itself. The test interface is presented in a 16 color graphics mode, (circa 1991) which is clunky and poorly designed. The typography (if you could call it that) on the screen is about as legible as a stick figure is to a fully rendered human body. The line length stretched the width of the screen in a 100 plus character array that was difficult to follow. If you have to turn your head to complete a sentence, the line length is too long! There were no type characters per say, rather an asci character that resembled a type character. At the prices charged for taking the test, these folks could hire designers to do the graphics.
The keyboards are the type consistent with a 1980's PC, very harsh key response; think clickity clack.
Whoever design the testing center obviously did not take ergonomics into consideration. The facility was a psychologists nightmare, uninviting to say the least. Seating was uncomfortable and the testing area was cramped. I was initially denied use of my lumbar support pillow in the testing area, complaining politely but firmly that I needed it for the three hour plus exam. After some hushed discussion between the test administering person and her supervisor, I was allowed to carry it in.
If the testing center demands excellence, why should I not demand as much? I gave them a 2 out of 10 stars for their efforts (and I'm being generous). The GRE test practice software isn't even available for the Mac? I sense resistance to change on their part, probably monetary based.
The test took about three and a half hours to complete. Since I finished around the same time as the others giving me the sense that I was on average, my spirits were lifted. This was the last step in the admission process I need for the two MFA programs I have applied to. Here's to the future!
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