5 down, 2 to go....

The 6th of the 6th

2009-03-01T22:19:00.001-07:00

I was tagged on Jeanine Brown's blog , alas here it goes.

The rules:

1.Go to your document/pictures file on your computer

2.Go to the 6th file

3.Go to the 6th picture

4. Blog about that picture

5. Tag 6 other people

Here's my picture:
This was from christmas day, we got a new camera. You can really see the macro effect from the lens here and it gives you a chance to imbibe the larger things in life. It really makes you realize how small and insignificant we are compared to everything else in the universe...are you there God, it's me Mar.... uh sorry, either that or we were still figuring out the camera.

as for passing it on, I leave that up to you, the viewers at home.

p.s. don't worry about the satanic overtones of the 6th pic in the 6th file passed on to 6 people. I'm sure it's merely chainblog coincidence.

MRPhobia - and his bucket of parts

2009-02-27T09:28:00.007-07:00

With just less than one year left to get my degree, I am trying to wrap up what is required to graduate. One of those pesky requirements is a master's research paper aptly named the MRP. My employer kindly agreed to let me take on one of the projects they had goin' on and use that for my research. This was beneficial in more ways than one, most notably the fact that I could use work time to do the research for school. Just to clarify, I am paying for the joyful experience of going to school. While not a perfect counterbalance, it helps. Also, I had a deadline to complete the project which injected itself into my motivational unit and produced results.

There is a distinct relationship between the amount of free-time a graduate student has, and how much time they spend doing school related stuff. Keep in mind that part of the "school related" bit includes avoiding doing anything school related. Anyone who has worked with criminal offenders will notice this phenomenon at work: an inmate/offender/resident/probationer/parolee (in no particular order) will spend vast amounts of time an energy attempting to get out of doing whatever it is "the man" told them to do. Now, while often times the level of innovation is clever and even astounding, the end result is usually the same- disciplinary action for not following the rules or conditions of release.

Similarly, a graduate student, or perhaps any student for that matter, uses a tremendous amount of energy attempting to get out of doing exactly what will allow them to graduate.

Lucky for me, I have a wonderful adviser who does not go easy on me, but is still encouraging. Alas, I have the first draft turned in, and back to me. I wonder what's on T.V. this weekend...

Sweet Concert

2009-01-09T12:06:00.002-07:00

Angie and I went to see Fred Eaglesmith and the flying squirrels. it wasn't bad. Note the excitement.

thats right. We were there!

Yep, its that time of the semester again

2009-01-08T16:34:00.002-07:00

There is a strange bit of excitement in the air every time a new semester is about to begin. Up until the beginning of the semester the campus is basically dead. Then something amazing happens. The campus begins to blossom, no not that kind, the kind where people and cars and bicycles and skateboards all crowd the sidewalks to get their piece of the action. Woah! Students break the binding on their $200 communications 1010 textbook and stare in awe at the plethora of words and dearth of pictures.
Students eagerly download the course syllabus and calculate just how long they can put off the midterm and final papers to accommodate their xBox 360 schedule. (which by the way, you can now stream Netflix movies on)

I too, get excited. Especially now that I can see the light at the end of the masters degree tunnel. Yes, it really is Matrix green, and yes I took the red pill.

Coming up this semester I learn how to design research and how to policy health. Whee!

FNG

2008-12-18T08:50:00.006-07:00

Angie and I went to a burrito joint* the other night. As we entered the establishment the electric heaters above the patio tables gently warmed us. I thought in awe about a business that would consider the feelings of someone wishing to procure a thin round of unleavened wheat flour bread filled with charred beef and pico de gallo, and taking time to consider that they may wish to enhance the experience with 5 degree weather. Long story longer, we waited in line, admiring the simple menu. Burrito, Burrito Bol, Taco's, Salad. Simple menu notwithstanding, we began to wonder why someone a mere 3 people in front of us was having such a hard time deciding. We quickly determined that it was the "new employee effect" at work. We could have opened up our own tasty burrito establishment with a catchy slogan in the time it took them to make our order. Clearly they assumed that, being Monday night, business would be slow and why not put the FNG on the front line, even though he clearly was not up to par, or up to sub-par at the time. Before you get mad at me, I am sure that he is a wonderful man with a sweet spirit who pays his rent on time and helps his elderly neighbor across the street take out the trash. (Keep in mind that's what they always say about serial killers...) However, he was clearly not ready to be "on the front line." He at least needed a helper to prompt him on what he needed to do next. Not being a regular customer of the fine establishment, I couldn't prompt him myself.
Alas, we managed to gather our foil wrapped manifestations of spicy goodness and eat. We sated our hunger and we left, once again warmed by the electric heat lamps on the patio, fearful of the warming to follow the next day.

*If I were to establish my own burrito joint it would be self serve. The slogan would be "At this joint, you roll your own." You'll come hungry, but you'll leave starving. With cottonmouth.

Culled and Flew Season

2008-11-25T08:50:00.005-07:00

It seems as though when someone gets sick, they are either sick of being tired or tired of being sick. I am sick of being sick. I have had a cold three* times in the past month. I don't have a nearby camera or I would take a picture of my nose-in-need. And it has been a while since I have used the personal groomer. I like to keep it at a number 2, not too short because it gets cold in the winter, but not so long I look like Walter Matthau. Y'know, simple.

Anyway, I was glad to find that Wal-Mart's Equate brand cold medicine works just as well as Day-Quil because it is one third as expensive. Luckily gas doesn't cost nearly as much, so getting to the store is cheaper too.

Though being sick has its advantages. You can get out of work meetings or presentations because you "don't want to get people sick." Don't get me wrong, I'm terrified of avian flu (H5N1) but I don't pal around with shady birds all too often. Though I did get my start in the living room of an extremist bird many years ago....

In the event of a pandemic there are certain things to remember:

-Avoid large gatherings (finally, an excuse to not go to church)

-Wash your hands (with soap and water. I know, who knew?)

-Make me the primary beneficiary in your will (I will explain this after you die)

-Tin foil hat (Everyone knows tin foil hats are the best protector against this "flu")

-Liberal use of hand sanitizer (yes, spread the wealth of sanitizer and socialize!)

-Most importantly, don't "know" any birds as Adam "knew" Eve. Simple to follow, yet incredibly helpful.

By following these basic rules, along with the ones that are actually effective, you can be assured that your chances of developing the flu are decreased. In fact, just by staying indoors and reading this post have decreased your chances by 0.0000001%! I know, crazy.

*This is week two of what I think is the same cold making a comeback, thus it counts as two.

Good Song.

2008-11-07T10:35:00.003-07:00

So this band is quite good, I saw them on Conan O'Brien a while back, and I quite fancy their music. I am not sure who to compare them to, but its not rock, but its not pop. I guess some may call it indie. Pretty good nonetheless. They are called The Airborne Toxic Event. Not too sure why.

I'll admit it's no Japanese Pizza commercial, but still good.

Its ok to go outside right?

2008-11-05T09:33:00.008-07:00

After so many months of bombardment, it was strange waking up with no political ads or people policticking. As if the blanket of snow covering my yard was a sign of the inner peace that I was now experiencing, I though back on the last several years. Two years ago, I was finishing up my bachelors degree. now, halfway through my masters degree, I realize I am only one election season away from graduating! crap.

Two years ago I was working in a job field which I thought would carry me to retirement. Not so much. Not to say I didn't like the job, I still miss it, thought it did not work with my 5 year plan. (by the way, I don't have a 5 year plan)

Two years ago the Dow Jones Industrial Average was 12,221.

Two years ago Saddam Hussein was executed after being found guilty of war crimes.

Two years ago Avian Flu kills 79.

Two years ago James Brown dies at 73

Two years ago Jeffrey Skilling, COO of Enron is sentenced to 24 years and 4 months in prison. And fined $45 Million. Thousands lost everything.

Two years ago Google buys YouTube for $1.65 Billion dollars.

Two years ago North Korea drops the bomb.

Long story short, although much has changed in the last two years, so much has also stayed the same. Now, regardless of what your particular political beliefs may be, we are responsible for effecting the change we would like to see in the world. Gandhi was right. We can bitch and moan that things are not what we want them to be. We can point fingers across the aisle and say "they" did this and how dare "they" do it again. Meanwhile we sit silent and watch it occur, waiting to "use it against them" come election time. Remember how short the voters memory is.

I don't remember what I had for breakfast today, or what happened two years ago, and two years from now, hopefully with diploma hanging on wall, I will look back and say, it was a good time to be, two years ago.

Lookit Here...

2008-11-04T08:53:00.001-07:00

Please enjoy the election. It is almost over.

ho-hum

2008-10-23T16:33:00.004-06:00

So I have decided, amidst a whirlwind of thoughts, to change back to the more traditional template. This includes the standard for comments. yes, I realize that this means I am just like the millions of others too lame to create their own blogger page, but.....

I was interrupted when I was typing this post a week ago. I have no idea where it was going, but I am sure that it was hilarious! I can only imagine. In the meantime, I would like to post this video because it is effin' hilarious. As we are now approaching the election, let us take a look at politics in action.

Clearly, the front fell off. Cardboard, no good. I love it. I hope everybody voted him in again so the hilarity could continue.

funny ha-ha

2008-09-25T07:58:00.002-06:00

I have written down some things that I have heard in the past while that have made me chuckle. I decided that I would list them and share the love.

-I'm a fixin' to...
I guess that if you live in the South (capitalized as it "shall rise again") you probably hear this more often. However living in the Utah, I don't hear it nearly as much. It was a friend of mine that called someone out on this statement. She queried whether or not they actually said that. They did.

-Tempest in a Teapot
I would assume that this is metaphorical, meaning that the situation is not critical, but people are acting as though it is. This is true unless you have ever had a teapot of hot tea spilt on your lap.

-Navel Gazing Nonsense
I have no idea what this means.

-Hootenany
(as in "shindig") Unfortunately I am the guilty party on this one. It was nigh upon staff meetin' time and I asked my boss what time this hootenany was going to start. Understandably all conversation stopped. A several minute discussion on the term hootenany ensued. We are none the wiser.

-Wait California is a state? (or something to that effect)
I overheard this walking across the campus of a liberal (not capitalized) University in Utah. I was surprised at the surprise of the student who suddenly realized that the thousand or so miles of west coast line was occupied by a "state" and not a receptacle for celebrity excess. Go figure.

-...its like the older I get, the less I change...
Another student on said campus. Talking on a cell phone, because who talks to those physically present anymore. I only heard this brief exchange but chuckled nonetheless.

-Fauxumentary
I heard this on the radio and liked it. It has probably been around for a while, but new to me. Films such as This is Spinal Tap, Waiting for Guffman, Drop Dead Gorgeous are good examples of this.

-shindig
Referenced earlier in this post, and I apologize.

So there you go, a list of some funny stuff overheard in the past while. I hope to update this list soon. I hear often, remember less.

Its a brand new day.

2008-08-29T17:43:00.006-06:00

While I cannot remember off the top of my head which pharmaceutical commercial the post title comes from, it is indeed a brand new day. With a black man accepting the Democratic Party nomination on the 45th anniversary of MLK's historic speech, and a woman being named as a vice president for the Republican Party, things are changing.

Like others, I was not always involved in politics. This is mostly due to the fact that I had no reason to be involved in politics. I had a job, paid income tax on my 3,000 year and got it all back. Oh, and I was mooching off my parents at the time so had no real expenses, save my slurpee habit.

With the ever-increasing primary season, I have had to ask, why? No, not why Fred Thompson (Dun-Dun), but why so long. It was clear almost from the beginning who the top candidates would be. (Sorry Ron Paul, maybe that "no IRS thing" will work next time) All that happened was a great waste of money that campaign contributors will never get back.

I did get to see Chelsea Clinton and Bill Clinton speak at the local University during the campaign. Eh, I've had better motivational speeches from RonCo.

I can't wait for the Republican National Convention because then the left wing nutjobs will have a chance to respond to the right wing nutjobs and we will all be so incredibly tired of this damn election process that the Elephant Man-Iceman ticket will seem like a good idea because we wont remember hearing anything bad about them like how many houses they have or how they are a Muslim sympathizer......I am going to sleep till January.

Trucker hat, who wants ya!?

2008-08-14T11:27:00.002-06:00

New office? My own new office? That’s right, for the time being I am housed in an echoey office (not sure if that’s a word). However the new digs are nice, but I don’t know if I enjoy working for a living. Yes it is still basically a state job, but one that requires me to produce “work” units. How strange. I am waiting for Ashton Kutcher to pop out and tell me I got pimp’d or pick’d or whatever. We’ll see. At least I would get to meet Demi Moore…

Well okay then

2008-08-01T09:02:00.002-06:00

It is official. School is done for the summer. Now I have three weeks before Fall Semester to finish my honeydo list. Speaking of my honey, she asked me to pose a question about my last post. In that post I mentioned something about being "wont" to do something. When she read that she made fun of me. After I proved the definition of the word using the Internet, she continued to poke fun at me and said that no one uses that word like that in this day and age. With texting and blogging all the rage I shall finish this blog post accordingly.

OMG, I was LMAO when you GED's were looking at him. IDK what you were thinking. ;-) BRB, /b/ :::: @-->--- OSC! LOL

ugh. I can't do it. TTFN.

Al Dente

2008-07-25T15:29:00.008-06:00

No, he is not your neighborhood dentist, this is a term used for cooking pasta. I was watching TV, as I am wont to do when I'm not working or in school. I saw a pizza hut commercial for their new Tuscani Pasta. The newer version of the same commercial starts by saying that New Yorkers know their pasta. This got me thinking, are you an expert on a certain type of cuisine by virtue of your ZIP code. That's an easy answer. No.

Not every Italian citizen can taste a marinara sauce and say, Hmmmm...put in some more oregano, and BAM! Kick it up another notch! I don't think that New Yorkers are any more likely

to taste pasta and say, ooooohhhh...this is good. This tastes like the pizza we had last night from Pizza Hut, only like its been rolled into fusilli and covered in made-from-real-cheese processed cheese and canned spaghetti sauce. Lets order that when we get home.

If this were the case, Utah would be a hotbed for funeral potato and green jello delivery.

Imagine the interior of The Roof restaurant at the Joseph Smith Building and a voice over guy saying,

"We took 50 mormons in Salt Lake City and fed them a steak dinner. Many refused dessert until they remembered what TV told them, there's always room for Jell-O..."

There would be people eating the green plasma and saying things like, mmmm, this is just like grandma used to make, or hey honey, you should get the recipe from the cook, haw haw....

Then the camera would cut to the exterior of the restaurant and show a bunch of Domino's delivery cars showing up and people going Oh! It's fast food....that's why it was so good!

The End of Daze

2008-06-28T13:47:00.005-06:00

Recently someone I work with was bitten by a rattlesnake. Not a twelve foot one either. A baby one. According to everyone I've told this story to, those are the worst kind. Although this may or may not be completely accurate, it still sucked. (for him of course, not me) The doctor told him, which most have been absolutely comforting, that "this is the first rattlesnake bite I have treated. Oh, and you may lose your finger, I got this off the Internet." Nice, good work on the bedside manner. However, if being a doctor only takes a thorough knowledge of wikipedia searches, I'm sittin' pretty for a degree in medicine.

Yes, Rock On Cobraman, Rock On.

Lucky for Don (the guy who was bit) he has a whole bunch of coworkers to visit him in the hospital and give him a hard time about getting bit. Someone gave him some gummi snakes, there were many poorly performed Steve Irwin impressions, and various other references to a job well done. But hey that's what friends are for.

The nurse was somewhat offended by our visits, but I don't think he quite understands how we work. If it had been us, Don would have been there doing the exact same thing.

There's something to be said about that. We are all there for each other. That's a good thing given the nature of our work. We need to be there. There were two others there with Don when he got bit. They smashed the snake with a sledgehammer. Score one for the blue team.

New blog template.

2008-06-27T09:00:00.002-06:00

I have learned much about html code, and obviously have much to learn. I got this template off a website. Still working out the kinks and stuff. I will try to liven it all up a bit. In the meantime, use the comment box on the right side of your viewing device. Let me know what you think. Yes, this is all new to me.

Two in a row!

2008-06-26T16:01:00.003-06:00

I amazed myself. I know. Though I don't have any amazing raccoon stories, nor do I have copious amounts of information regarding the dangers of fluoride, I do have good news. No, I didn't save a bunch of money on my car insurance by switching to geico, (No hyperlink there, they are neither friend nor foe) I am done with classes for Constitutional Law. Hooray! I still need to write a large paper and I am not looking forward to it.
Here's the thing about the blog, I think of things all the time to write about. Amazing things, incredible things, things which neither man nor beast will ever understand. However, I am never near a computer and able to freeform it right then and there. If my memory serves me correctly, it doesn't. Thus, as I sit to write a blog post, I think to myself, what was that thing I was going to write about? Was it about sitting down on a already warm toilet seat? no..... Was it about techniques used to appear working when you are not? could be...... It may have been more pictures of my garden......

I regularly visit a few blogs and I am consistently impressed with the amount of consistent dedication by the blogs author who manage to produce posts on an incredibly regular basis. Kudos to them.
I guess they find it easy as they have something to be passionate about. I on the other hand am passionate about not being passionate. The occasion is rare when I drag the dusty soapbox out of the garage where it has acted as a makeshift sprinkler repair workshop. I stand and deliver a short but sweet tirade careful not to unnecessarily offend. Therein may lie the issue. Perhaps a lesson from the sprinkler box is called for more often. Not that any would particularly care, but I may feel better about it.
Hmmm.... If I could just find someone to yell at...

Time is relative

2008-06-25T09:57:00.004-06:00

I've noticed something particularly odd about time. When you really need it, y0u don't have it. When you have to much of it, there nothing to fill it with. If you wanted to reserve a block of time for something, say homework, it's amazing how something better comes along. I have been forced, by way of my own doing, to write 1-2 four page papers every week for about the last six weeks. Not to say that the better option will edify and uplift quite as much as reviewing supreme court decisions, and making uneducated inferences about their meaning and present day applications.

Though I try to look at it with the attitude that I have scarcely more than one year until the suffering has ended, that's a lot of papers. A lot of papers. I have learned some stuff along the way, however. Nothing that will solve world hunger, yet. If anyone is looking for a good book on effective leadership, and a good example of someone to follow, pick up a copy of this book on President Lincoln. It is an easy read and actually has some good points and interesting anecdotes about honest Abe. Not to get too political, but clearly the current president did not read this book. Nor did he read Sun Tzu's The Art of War.

But remember, if you vote with your heart and not your pocketbook, the terrorists win. Not really. But please read Lincoln's speech delivered at the dedication of the Gettysburg Cemetery for the slain Union soldiers.

Four score and seven years ago our fathers brought forth on this continent, a new nation, conceived in Liberty, and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal.
Now we are engaged in a great civil war, testing whether that nation, or any nation so conceived and so dedicated, can long endure. We are met on a great battle-field of that war. We have come to dedicate a portion of that field, as a final resting place for those who here gave their lives that that nation might live. It is altogether fitting and proper that we should do this.
But, in a larger sense, we can not dedicate -- we can not consecrate -- we can not hallow -- this ground. The brave men, living and dead, who struggled here, have consecrated it, far above our poor power to add or detract. The world will little note, nor long remember what we say here, but it can never forget what they did here. It is for us the living, rather, to be dedicated here to the unfinished work which they who fought here have thus far so nobly advanced. It is rather for us to be here dedicated to the great task remaining before us -- that from these honored dead we take increased devotion to that cause for which they gave the last full measure of devotion -- that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain -- that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom -- and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth.

Abraham Lincoln

There is not much more that can be said.

MmmmBoy.

2008-06-12T11:05:00.007-06:00

Not too long ago I posted some pictures of my garden. I'm sure that you can scroll down and see them. Here are some updated pictures. I know, the garden seems kinda boring, but I have no children and this is what I am raising now. So enjoy. We also ate the first strawberry. It was delicious. Albeit a little small.

Peas, Beans, Corn

Peppers, Cucumbers, Strawberries

Pumpkins!

We had a little issue with the pumpkins, they just didn't want to grow. They have finally sprouted and we look forward to the fall harvest. I imagine they will end up being the size of the decorative pumpkins you get in the fall, but at least we saved 15 cents

a pound!

Here's to garrrrrdening.

Oh, Where has the time gone?

2008-06-09T14:53:00.002-06:00

Yes, this whole blogging thing gets away from me. I haven't the constant time or patience to do it. Of course I will continue, but try as I might, it may not be every day. Aside from the constant lamentations about blogging, we went on vacation this weekend. Look at these cool pictures!

OK, so no one had a camera. I do have one picture taken with my cell phone however. This is near where we camped. Also enjoy these photos from the interweb!

or look here for a photo journey!

Maybe next time we will have a camera. But the history is great other wise. We also found rocks. Geodes to be specific.

Ours weren't quite this cool, but we didn't have much time to look around. We need to go back just for the rocks. maybe next time.

GArrrrrrrrDen

2008-05-30T09:36:00.007-06:00

No, not a pirates pumpkin patch. The wretched patch of dirt on the side of my house (my hizzie, if you will, and no, I won't) where the missus and I have planted some food stuffs. What I didn't realize, is how much I actually care that the stuff grows. And how much trouble it is to make sure that it does. Constant watering and tending to it. Then I'm supposed to thin them out when they get two inches tall. It took me forever to grow them, why would I pull them out?
Oh, and up until most recently it was even an organic garden. Some miracle grow accidentally fell on it. stay tuned.

So here it is, I guess that some of it is doing well. That's corn in the back there. We also have peppers, a dead tomato plant, some cucumbers, and some peas 'n beans.

The peas are the ones in the front that have actually graced us with their presence. (bang up photography by the way)

On the other side where are the pumpkins. Or at least where the pumpkins eventually will be. and yes that is our unfinished rock path there as well. We are still getting a general idea of where we want to place the stones. I think we will leave them there for the season and see if we like them. The nice thing about this is we can change our mind if we want and move them, no effort wasted.

Yet aside from my dreadfully boring gardening story, I will think about putting up some pictures of my basement. the boss and I have started putting up some of the drywall and it is actually starting to look like an actual room. We are going to have a lot of mudding to do.

Nooooooooooooo!!!!!

2008-05-22T12:00:00.003-06:00

I was so sad when I heard the news, David Archuleta, Utah's native son, came in second place. Tragedy. Actually I never watched an episode of this seasons show. Or last seasons, or the one before that, or the one before that. The only ones that are worth watching are the first few episodes wherein the bad singers who actually think they are good singers perform for simon, paula, and randy. Does it bother anyone else that simon is consistently the only one on the show with an original thought? Their season planning meeting must go something like this:

Simon: (eastenders british accent) Thank you all for coming, lets get this atrocity moving.

Randy: Yo, Dawg, it's been so long.

Simon: *sigh*

Paula: (laugh-crying hysterically) I had to clean up the diarrhea! I need help!

Simon: *sigh*

Seacrest: (holding pen as a microphone) This is set to be an amazing meeting. We have the all the big players here tonight, with a special guest appearance from (squinting, looking for cue cards) Dammit, who is our special guest?

Simon: *sigh*

Paula: Why do we have to have these meetings so early? I was in bed, my neck! Whats that buzzing noise?

Randy: Yo Dawg, thats the phone.

Paula: Where is my assistant to answer the phone? I have been asked to choreograph for the Bratz movie! I need help!

Simon: *sigh* We have gotten some good work done today. Ryan, I thought I told you that Neil Sedaka was not going to be here...

Seacrest: (touching flag lapel pin) Seacrest Out!

Randy: (taking fern leaves out of Paula's mouth) Yo Dawg! this ain't your house!

Paula: Where am I?

Simon: *sigh*

At least thats how I imagine it in my head. I dont know what worries me more, the fact that I imagine it, or the fact that it is so believable.

What worries me even more is the fact that Dick Cheney, Don Rumsfeld, Justice Antonin Scalia were all buddies during the Nixon administration? They apparently thought that the office of the Executive had lost some of it's powerful luster. Old news but just as interesting, they still pal around. And you thought it was dangerous to go hunting with the Vice-President.

(and yes, I know that's Ford in the middle)

I couldn't wait.

2008-05-15T16:46:00.002-06:00

I had to post this video because it made me laugh. I now have the chorus downloaded on my computer. When my supervisor walks in, I play it. He usually looks at me funny then leaves.

It really makes no sense, but then again, I am not a native of Japan. Perhaps there are different cultural norms there that I don't understand. However I do understand how annoying it is when your pizza toppings ignore you. When they turn their back on you, it's just awful. Oh well, I've switched to Chinese food anyway.

We had a good run.

2008-05-12T15:46:00.003-06:00

I am about to disappear for the next six or seven weeks. This is due in part to a mechanism of my own creation, namely my gluttony for educational punishment. I have spent this beautiful spring day holed up inside on the couch, cuddled up with one of the classics. Constitutional Law: Cases and Materials, 12th ed. Oh Freakin' Yeah! I will be enjoying a classroom discussion-like "classroom discussion" about said reading materials tonight. Hereafter referred to as "class." Lest I vex your sunny spring day, don't worry. Tomorrow the class experience will be much different. Organizational Culture and Behavior. Times will be even better, as now I can shake the drudgery of our Nations Constitution, and delve feet first (always delve responsibly) (with a lifeguard whenever possible) (now back to our story) into Organizational Behavior.
Although I think I may be onto why they call it a "morning constitutional."

Time in a bottle

2008-05-09T23:55:00.003-06:00

It was Jim Croce who first wanted to keep time in a bottle. At least he was the first to write a song about it. Have you ever had a moment in your life that was so special that you wanted to hold onto in forever? There are the obvious answers, your wedding day, your first kiss, poppin' out the chillins...etc. Everyone probably has one moment in their life that is the most special. So special that it trumps all of those.

I think that that moment is not one of those big moments. It is all about the small things. Being recognized for something special, having someone remember your favorite ice cream flavor, someone ask how your day was. These small things are what make all the difference.

Such is the burden of being a mother. As I suffer from having an XY chromosome deficiency, I may never know what it is to be a mother. However, the bouts of momnesia, expert placing of band-aids and kisses, making lunches, shuttling kids to various locations, shoulders to cry on, Sunday dinners, constant worry, and numerous other things, are greatly appreciated. Not to put my own mother on the spot, but thanks for everything. Yes, everything. Even those things that at the time seemed so, OMG.

Thanks.

Random

2008-05-07T08:17:00.005-06:00

In order to be completely random, one must be unpredictable. If I were to think of a "random" thought, I would need to clear my mind of all thought, and think of something random. Easier said than done. For most sentient beings, at least those not in Hollywood, clearing the mind of thought is difficult. Ask the Dalai Lama. Also, when you are finally able to clear your mind, and then think of something instantly, it would not be completely random. the mere process of randomly thinking requires processed thought.
Say you were to think "apple." wow that was random. Nope, actually you read about apples in a friends blog post yesterday. Yep, even in my explanation of random, I have confirmed exactly what I am talking about. I think.
On a completely different note, in 1803 the US Supreme court issued a decision finding that William Marbury had is constitutional rights violated and that he should have them remedied. Boring right. NO! This also found that the supreme court was the supreme court in the land and they were the sole interpreters of the constitution. Wow. That...is...awesome. If it wasn't for Marbury v. Madison, who knows where we would be. Yes folks, be prepared for a summer semester of constitutional law. Constitutional Fever...Catch it!

They did.

Oh yeah, I have a blog.

2008-04-30T10:18:00.004-06:00

I have decided that I am at a distinct advantage when I comes to blog posting. Having no really interesting life stories to tell and no children of my own whose pictures I can exploit on the web, I got nothin'.

What I do have is sunshine in my soul as the spring 2008 semester has drawn to a close. I think it was a stick figure. However I am fully briefed on the issues of national healthcare policy and how to resourcefully manage humans.

I will now commence enjoying a two week (almost) reprieve from school. I think I will try to watch some of the movies from my Netflix Queue. I have been woefully neglectful of the movies there. I have kept some at home for nearly a month before finally watching them. That defeats the purpose of the three at a time program which I currently enjoy.

Enough about me though. Wait, a blog is supposed to be self-centric. Which brings me back to my initial lamentation. I am uninteresting, but have a head full of useless facts and figures with which I can regale you.

I can't think of any now. Damn. Back to square one.

Maybe I will tell you a story. I have come so far working on my novel but have suffered from

writers block. Oh well. No one wants to hear about a galaxy far, far, away and a long time ago. Although the past-future is so much more technologically advanced. Why, when those people found earth did they send the dumb ones to start our planet? They flew here in freakin' spaceships and started fire with sticks. Talk about gettin' the short end.

I guess I will end with the postulation, not promise that the next little while could result with a few more blog posts. Perhaps in the interim between posts I will create a family. A superfamily of sorts. One where there are many women to conceive and raise my children. They will all look the same and wear white plastic uniforms. And these small versions of me, these "clones" will be at my command to do my bidding. We will be able to dominate the universe...

Friday, again.

2008-03-21T14:50:00.003-06:00

Yet another week has passed without any word from Cacciato. Not really, I didn't know the guy but Tim's still searching. Anyway, I dont have much to say this week, it's spring break (insert obligatory WOOHOO! here) but I have no racy pictures to post, yet. Some problem with the developer and "losing" my role of film, but some vice detective wants to talk to me... I dont know.
I did however hear this song on the radio and I really liked it. Occasionally I stumble across a song, and after cursing loudly and rubbing my toe, I listen to it over and over again. This one is by Linkin Park, who I thought I didn't really like but after sampling the album I discovered I really did.
The song is called "Hands Held High." Be advised there are two "adult" words, well, one used twice, but good song nonetheless.

Let's take a listen...

And there you have it, your, ummm, feel good for friday song. Kinda.

WOOHOO! spring break!

Spring is in the air

2008-03-14T16:59:00.000-06:00

Finally, the sun has decided to show its face. And I say its about time. No longer are we remanded to the winter blues, bitter cold winds, and snow crunching 'neath our feet. Hallelujah.

Although Jack Frost has yet to leave us completely, I think he's got the idea that were sick of the snow. We even had rain to prove it.

I hope that I have not jinxed the weather. Although even weather.com has decided that our outlook has improved.

(insert your own weather haiku here)

And if I hear one more word about our "water year," I'm praying for a drought.

Killin' time with bloghop.

2008-03-05T07:57:00.000-07:00

No I am not advocating serious bodily injury. Nay, I ask to be excused from homework due to excessive websurfing. It's amazing how much shtuff is out there. I have recently been researching for a paper on a national health care plan. Unfortunately there's extremists on each side. Everybody has the solid answer as to why we should, or should not, socialize medicine.

How do I feel about it? Dunno. At this time, I have been fortunate enough not to have an excessive need for the health care system. Also, I have benefited from a large enough policy group through my work that premiums have actually been kept low.

In fact, I received a letter from my human resources department stating that, due to lower than expected use of the "benefits," they were going to lower our premiums, until July.

That was somewhat shocking.

AHHHHHHHHH!!!!! Its the Antichrist! Oh, No, Just Michael Moore. The movie Sicko recently came out lambasting our nations healtcare system. However, I don't think it fully investigates all that it needs to. For instance, Moore asks people in a UK waiting room how long they have waited. The majority were there for under an hour. I would like to know how many hospitals per capita they have there. In 2007 they had an estimated population of 60,776,238. (Including supernannies) The United States has a population of 301,139,947. That's nearly five times as many people. Perhaps its only coincidence that we have a five times longer wait in an ER wait'n room then.

Well, at the end of the day, I really know nothing about healthcare. Yet. I'm looking into it and soon, by the end of the semester, I will know the answer.

But while you wait in the ER, you can at least have fun and make a cut puppet. This one is courtesy of Ovalspleen. Check out his flickr site http://www.flickr.com/ovalspleen.

Shirts and ties

2008-02-28T08:32:00.000-07:00

I was sitting at my desk on Tuesday and my boss came in. Not my supervisor, but the big boss. He looked at me and told me I looked terrible. As he said, I look like I'd been hit by a truck. Unfortunately I do not believe he was talking about me looking sick. Apparently, a nice button-up shirt and tan pants don't dont qualify as appropriate dress.

After he left, my co-worker told me that was a hint from the big cheese to put on a tie.

Thanks captain....

So yesterday and today, I have sported a tie, and although its not horrible, I dont practice wearing one on Sunday. Perhaps the worst part is that people keep asking me if I have court.

I guess thats why I liked knowing what I would wear everyday.

Yes, there are benefits to having a uniform. And a properly fitted bicycle. But this one was pretty sweet.

Cost benefit analysis

2008-02-12T20:08:00.001-07:00

so I havent broken down exactly how much it costs me to go to school, but it is alot. which means, it is costing me a lot to write this blog. i blame the internet. and its phenomenal accessibility provided by the University of Utah. therefore it is not my fault.
as I am supposed to be learning about policy analysis at present, i would suggest a inclusive policy which provides for the Handler-Hasenfeld poverty construction theory, with an emphasis on the supply of cheap labor with major focus on the Schneider-Ingram-DeLeon axis diagram for a more functional explanation.
ya, thats why I'm typing a blog entry. I realize that to my faithful blogging public i have been few and far between, however remember, absence makes the heart go wander. so please return, and I promise, no more theory, but increased concrete application.

Is it, or isn't it?

2008-02-08T13:57:00.000-07:00

Apparently my home computer refuses to participate in the whole "blogging craze," as such it will not let me log on. However, I shall survive. Recently I stumbled across the music from a comercial that my three year old nephew loves. Whenever the commercial came on t.v., he would stop and watch, and if I recall correctly, hum along. The music? Royksopp - Reminds Me.
Not ring a bell? check out the following.

Ring a bell? it may, but it sounds a little different from the commercial version, that is here...

Aside from the strange videos, I like them both. Which one is better?

Its catchy, and it brings stored images from my brain to consciousness...

if it ain't broke, fix it 'till it is

2008-01-30T07:42:00.000-07:00

thats my motto. at least when it comes to home repairs. I have a pile of drywall in my basement that, despite my direct orders, has failed to put itself up. this means that I still have a pile of drywall in my basement. no photos yet.

The word of the blog is- incunabulum- a book printed before 1501.

I dare you to use that in a sentence.

If you cant tell, I have a word of the day calendar. Some have proven helpful, others have not.

Despite all this levity, school still sucks.

Crappy new year!

2008-01-11T10:38:00.000-07:00

I was driving to work on January 1st, and I thought to myself, it feels like a fresh new year. That or someone sprayed Febreeze on the old year. Now that the holidaze are over, we can focus on life again. For Angie and me, that is school and work.
I have a new desk calendar, and a new desk, so be prepared for a new word of the blog. This one will be an easy one.
Baleful- 1. deadly or pernicious in influence. 2. foreboding or threatening evil.
Try to use it in a sentence. I will also. Now, wheres the Febreeze...

Brought to you by the number 4 and the letter A

2007-12-26T09:58:00.000-07:00

Oh, and readers like you. 4 is the number of millions of dollars that I will never have. I was looking at another blog, with pictures from Kowloon Bay, Hong Kong, she had beautiful view, from her apartment. I have on good authority that the view, simple in its elegance, would cost 1.5 million US dollars. Thats 11.7 million HKD.

Probably not thinking of rushing off and investing in HKD's but the value of the dollar has been falling. It's about 2 British pounds to the dollar now. Not as bad as the Sri Lankan Rupee at 109 to the dollar. Why tell you this, because they are useless facts and now that the holidaze are over, you'll need something to occupy your mind before big business tells us when and where to shop next.

Holidaze

2007-12-21T15:02:00.000-07:00

Ah, Christmas. Time for stressful shopping, overeating, and spending time with those people that we avoid for the rest of the year... I mean, why are the holidays so stressful? Probably because we have always been told they were supposed to be perfect. Remember Miracle on 34th street? and It's a wonderful life? sure the holidays were perfect there.

Not that I'm having a bad holiday. I have a wonderful wife, home, family and career.
Perhaps things are not so bad after all. Whats a little stress to remind you of how good you truly have it the rest of the year.

Although for me, every time a bell rings, a student gets their degree.

Ring, Ring, ring....

Is it over?

2007-12-05T10:55:00.000-07:00

So it appears that the Thanksgiving rush is over. No not the rush to complete Christmas (or holiday) shopping, the rush to create Thanksgiving posts. All the family pictures and stories that must be told....oh well Christmas is just around the corner and it will begin again. I wonder if the majority of posts occur after significant holidays?

The Final Countdown

2007-11-27T11:45:00.001-07:00

No, not the Europe song, although I admit it is a guilty pleasure of mine, the end of the semester. Only two weeks left and many pages to write and many finals to study for. however, as time grows short, dread grows long. Procrastination runs deep in me, luckily my wife is able to keep me motivated, and sane. I can no longer pontificate as I should be doing something else. Oh well, It's the final countdown, na na na naaaaa, na na ni na na, na na na naaaaaa, na na ni ni na na....

Turkey Day Salute

2007-11-22T12:05:00.000-07:00

To the turkey, we owe this feast
where prior meals we ate roast beast
to the stuffing, we call Stove Top,
I've started eating and cannot stop.

When I'm done, roll me away, and
we'll all eat turkey, for the next ten days.

Up'n'runnin'

2007-11-21T15:52:00.001-07:00

We will see what happens now, ive linked to the blogs that are most likely to view my blogspot thingy. I may put some more pictures up if I can find some.

Huh?

2007-11-21T11:35:00.000-07:00

So I figured we'd try this whole blog thing. not that anyone really cares or anything. It's the same thing for us, day in and day out, work, school, sleep, rinse and repeat. But fear not, for in two years this monotony shall end and even those of us who fear to speak the name of completion will recieve absolution. Don't worry I had to look it up too. This being the first and possible only post, I will be brief, but I prefer boxers.