Claims at Fuel-Efficiency are a Joke!

I always thought that newer cars were better, as far as gas mileage goes. Obviously, a new truck probably won't have a better mpg than an old compact car, but you know what I mean. Today I was on the government's fuel economy website, and I found that new cars, including most hybrid cars, can't touch my 1991 Geo Metro for fuel economy. After finding the '91 Geo Metro, look for the '07 Prius (the best car, as far a fuel economy). Doesn't it seem like new technology could make an engine much more efficient than one 16 years its senior? I thought so. Who is to blame for this glaring problem? I have no answer.

Severe Thunderstorms~

I remember when I was little, occasionally waking up to the sound of my windows rattling. It was pretty scary. I had big windows in my bedroom, and they are champion rattlers. Now I get to experience something entirely new as far as storms go. The worst we ever get in Utah is the occasional hurricane-like micro-burst. They happened very seldom. Apparently marble-sized hail is pretty common here in Lubbock. The sky here is much larger, and the ominous gray clouds fill the whole thing. This is new to me, and can be a little frightening. For example: I thought that the hail a few moments ago would break our windows. The winds were at least 40 mph (according to the weather man), and the rain soaked under my door. Hopefully I won't have to use my deposit to pay for carpet damage.

I leave for Lubbock in eleven days. It's starting to hit me. I have lots of worries. Will I have a car? Will I have a place to live? Will I need to buy a house-worth of furniture? Who will I talk to? Who will I rely upon?

All weighty questions.

How will I answer them?

I don't know.

So...

I have been bitten by the environmentalist bug. May I say, yet again. This is why I am adding a new link to my blog, that of Colin Beavan's blog (or however you spell that). His blog's address is www.noimpactman.com. Enjoy. Maybe join me at the nationwide rally this weekend.

I know I posted only a few minutes ago, but I just wanted to make note of my escalating reading problem. In the last week, I have read 9 books.

On Last Tuesday I read Bellwether, (I will name the books but not the authors)
Wednesday I read Of Two Minds, and Gregor the Overlander
Thursday, while I was flying to Texas, I read Time at the Top, and All in Good Time
Friday I read nothing, as I had only taken the two books and had already read them.
Saturday I read Lords and Ladies, which I purchased at the airport because I was bored.
Sunday I read Daddy Long Legs
Monday I read The Bishop's Horse Race and Dear Enemy (sequel to Daddy Long Legs)

So all, what shall I read this week? I am thinking of a moratorium on novels for a week to read the Ensign. I don't know if I can keep two reading goals for a month, though, and I have already promised myself to only read books I haven't read before during the month of March.

The other night my mom told me that she had been talking to my aunt about my grad school situation. That led my aunt to say that she doesn't think of me as the brainy type. Huh. A very few years ago I would have been very affronted by the fact that she also thought that I was more of the cheerleader type. I assure you, that is the first time I ever remember being thought of as a cheerleader! I felt very odd. I also laughed a lot.

Then, last night my ward fhe group had our fhe at my house. My mom and dad attended. Afterward, my mom told me that she noticed my eyes were so twinkly compared to everyone else. I didn't really know what to make of that, and she went on to say that she thought that the only other person who had twinkly eyes was one of the guys there. Does that mean we are fated for one another? Is twinkly eyes a sign of cheerleaderness? Maybe deep down I will find my perky place, give up school, and become a professional cheerleader.

Molly? Ollie Oxen Free

First of all, I am slightly disturbed at the idea that chain letters have made it this far. Other than that...

I'm it.

Here are the rules:

THE RULES: Each player of this game starts with the '7 weird things about you.' People who get tagged need to write a blog of their own 7 weird things as well as state this rule clearly. In the end, you need to choose 7 people to be tagged and list their names. Don't forget to leave a comment that says 'you are tagged' in their comments and tell them to read your blog.

I know about three bloggers, and two have been tagged. I doubt the one other blogger I know will participate.

1. My big toe is definitely my longest toe. I used to think that was normal, but I've seen a lot of feet since then.

2. I like to sleep with my window open, even in winter. I guess I have this thing about moving air.

3. I don't love chocolate. At least, not American chocolate. I have developed a taste for European stuff.

4. I have always had a secret dream to become a tree surgeon.

5. I have a recurring nightmare that my French horn bell gets smashed and as I try to bend it back into shape it becomes as floppy as a limp noodle.

6. I love physics.

7. My friends and I like to get together and watch documentaries.

I tag G.
(I have a notorious lack of chain letter skills)

I have been asked by a few people what is up with grad school. While it is true that fewer people actually read my blog than ask me about my future, I will let those three blog readers know what's going on.

I have only applied to two schools. I know it seems bad, but since both schools have said that they want me, I'm not really worried. Maybe I should be. The two schools are Texas Tech and Penn State. At Texas I'd be studying wind erosion. I would have my own office and my foot in the door of the ARS, a government agency connected with the USDA. I would get some money and have out of state tuition waived. At Penn State, I would live in much more beautiful surroundings, get a little (but not a lot) less money, but have all tuition waived. There I would study soil physics and physical properties. At Texas Tech I would study soil physical properties as they relate to wind erosion. I am really leaning toward Texas Tech, but we shall see how my visit to Penn State in a couple of weeks goes.

Losing Blogging Steam~

I think the whole family has given up on the whole blogging thing. No one has written anything in a long time. I am no exception. Maybe I can get the whole thing rolling again. One thing's for sure, I need to start reading Diamond Geezer again. That guy is cool.

Also, in honor of the new year and some of my Christmas presents, I am adding a new link to my page. Enjoy.