RE: gifts, etc.

[Robert <http://dummy.us.eu.org/robert>]

 > From: ", Flora" <http://www.state.vt.us/~Flora.>
 > Date: Fri, 27 Dec 2013 15:28:14 +0000
 >
 > -----Original Message-----
 > From: Robert [http://dummy.us.eu.org/robert]
 > Sent: Friday, December 27, 2013 9:39 AM
 > To: , Flora; Flora E ; Flora E 
 > Cc: Noelle
 > Subject: gifts, etc.
 > 
 >  > Flora -
 >  > 
 >  > Was there general disappointment about the gifts that we gave?
 > 
 > Holly was reading her math book last night. I was pleased about that 
 > considering the book looked big. I didn't look at it myself, so I wasn't sure 
 > how it was written - if it was easy to understand.

It should be.  The author's been on Science Friday many times.  Noelle
pointed out to me after I had sent it, however, that it may be above her
level since she's probably not going to be taking pre-algebra any time
soon.

 > Not sure if Xander started reading the book that you gave him. He commented 
 > about the book title in relationship to the photo on the front - that he gets 
 > it - the train going off the cliff.

It's more than that.  Jonathan Zittrain appears on PRI's Marketplace Tech
often and has a good, balanced perspective.

I do wish I had given Alex a bunch of books, not just one.  I'll do that
next year.

 > He spends way too much time playing 
 > computer games on the computer.

I played computer games while I was in high school, too.  Mainly, however,
I programmed computer games.

 > He needs to finish his college applications, 
 > but has been delaying. Maybe you could send him an email directly.

I'll try, but he usually doesn't reply, for some reason.

 > Nick didn't look pleased with his book, but I tried to tell him that we (
 > everyone, but Nick) saw the movie

I was pretty dissatisfied with the books he had on his wishlist.  In some
ways, it's funny 'cause I always preach how people don't look at problems
systematically.  Ironically, that's the only way Nick seems to look at
problems -- he doesn't ever seem look inwardly.

 > and that she saw things differently than 
 > other people and that she revolutionized the livestock industry. Nick is 
 > sometimes hard to talk to.

Well, it seems like if there's any way he could get out of the house for
an extended period would be beneficial.

Has he considered volunteering for http://cvhumane.com/jobs/internships-unpaid/ ?

Also, has he considered getting any sort of counseling, e.g.,
http://www.phwcvt.org ?  It looks like it could be reasonably priced, but
he'd have to be driven there, I guess.

 >  > We skyped the parents and Marnie and Chris and Amy on x-mas day, and they told 
 >  > us that you were voted Employee of the Year.  Does that mean you're getting a 
 >  > raise?
 >
 > No, we all (our unit) had our jobs reclassified last year, so we all 
 > received an increase at that time. We usually get a cost of living increase 
 > annually, but did get a decrease in 2010.

OK.

 >  > Is Alexander applying to any colleges in the San Francisco Bay Area?  If so, he 
 >  > could probably stay with us a while while trying to find a place.
 >  > 
 >  > If you want to try to establish residency here in Ca to get in-state 
 >  > tuition, we could probably do something.
 >
 > He wasn't planning on applying to any 
 > schools in CA, but may now. He is very interested in artificial intelligence. 
 > Do you know if any schools near you have artificial intelligence?

Well, there's obviously Cal .  But, that's probably difficult to
get into.  It may be easier to try for where-I-live State University, which is
just down the street from us, or possibly San Francisco State University
(where I took graduate-level courses).

 > I saw Noelle's
 > email. We will look at University of CA, Santa Barbara and Cal Poly San Luis 
 > Obispo. He needs to finish his application process. Most are due January 1st. I 
 > want both Nick and Xander to apply to college for this fall.
 > 
 >  > Does Nick still know German?  Do you think he'd be interested in attending a 
 >  > university in Germany?
 >
 > Not really. No, I think that he would be way too 
 > uncomfortable. I am trying to convince him to go to college full time this 
 > fall.

I saw that Community College of Vermont has a pass/nopass option instead
of grades.  That may be less stressful.

 > He still hasn't started the process at all. All he says is that he wants 
 > me to get him a job.

It's hard to get someone else a job.  Maybe he should volunteer at the
Humane Society and try to get a job from there.

 > I think that his prospects would be better if he went to 
 > school.

Not so much right now, but probably within a few years, yes.

 > He can do manual labor now, but what about when he is older.

Well, he could become an electrician

 http://www.unions.org/unions/vermont/45/international-brotherhood-of-electrical-workers/9

That wouldn't necessarily involve attending college.

 > Physical 
 > labor is hard on an older person. Not sure what is going to happen. I know that 
 > he needs to get away from Tim and me. He doesn't like cities and large numbers 
 > of people, but is not able to drive. Living in a rural area is not conducive 
 > for working and not being able to drive. You know what I'm trying to say.

Yeah.  Is he sure that he doesn't like cities?  I love living in cities.

 > How is Noelle's job going???

Fine, but I'll let Noelle answer for herself.