magic wheel

Bragging Rights

2012-01-31T09:13:00.005-07:00

For my mom's birthday dinner, I made Boeuf Bourguignon. It was delicious. I did not take pictures, although that would have been wise. Let's pretend it looked just like this.

I have never bought wine, so I used a mixture of home-canned grape juice, water, and apple cider vinegar for the wine. I thought it tasted good, but I've never had the no-substitutions version.

"Is is 'Nopf" or 'Ka-nopf'?"

"Who cares?"

The makings of a Zion Society

2011-12-19T10:23:00.003-07:00

This may be a little more philosophical than most of my posts, but bear with me. I've been listening to this book about what motivates people on my drives to and from Orem. It's written with business in mind, but the author mentions that one of the psychologists he studied and interviewed mentioned that he was a war refugee as a child and when he saw all that violence he thought that grownups really didn't have a clue what they were doing, and that there's got to be a better way. That had me thinking about how we all hope for a peaceful society.

The book's main point is that motivators like bonuses or commission actually make people work less effectively, and that what they really need after a good salary is Autonomy, or the ability to make decisions about what they work on, how they do it, who they work with, when they work, etc.; opportunity to master and become better at any skill they wish (with guidance from supervisors, perhaps); and the chance to work toward a larger purpose. He said that lots of people are becoming really concerned with how their work helps the world and the different struggles we are having right now with sustainability, etc.

All of this made me think of great societies in the scriptures, namely the City of Enoch and the people of 4th Nephi. Both of them dwelt in righteousness and there was no contention and no poor among them. My thought was that we already have it in us to live like that. Studies mentioned in the book showed that people are much happier when they are working for something that will help others. I think that people successfully living together with no contention and no poor would be working hard at things they love in their own way, striving always to become better, and working for the happiness of all.

Nerd Alert

2011-11-18T08:30:00.003-07:00

I am feeling pretty nerdy today, what with a second experiment supporting the possibility of faster than light travel. I feel like this is a good time to mention a realization that I had.

Let me preface this by mentioning that I have always had a hard time remembering my age. Whenever I start to get the hang of it, it changes! So I always look for ways to easily remember my age. 24 and 25 were great years. 24 is made up of lovely numbers like 2, 3, 4, 6, 8, 12. It's just easy to remember. 25 was even better! A square number!

26 was unmemorable. Sure, it was two times a prime number, but still no fun. As I was driving down the street the other day I was thinking about 27 and how it's also totally unmemorable, when suddenly I realized that 3 time 3 is nine, and nine times 3 is 27! My age is a cubed number!! I also realized that the next time this will happen is when I turn 64. That's a long time away. However, I realized my mom turns 64 in a couple of months. I think we need to have a party to celebrate this momentous occasion. Maybe we should wait until my nephew turns 8 in March.

Inseparably Connected

2011-11-07T08:26:00.002-07:00

I hereby declare that the looseness of clothing in inversely proportional to self-confidence.

Backstory: Years ago, when I was a very small child, my older cousin was at the mall. This was long before cell phones. She called her mother to come get her and mentioned that she was nervous because a bunch of hoodlums were milling around. But she phrased it to her mother that she was surrounded by people with "low self-esteem." This became a family joke, and as I was growing up, I always pictured the hoodlums with low self-esteem to also have the very loose, baggy jeans that was the style for skater and gangsta types a few years back.

Currentstory: At my work, I am always trying to find that perfect mix between stylish and functional. Working with farmers, it's not always useful to dress in the fanciest clothes, and the urge to wear my grubbiest is great. So not long ago I wore a combination of lovely cowboy boots and skinny jeans and hit on something amazing. I felt powerful. Tall, strong, and powerful. Then it hit me. It's all about footwear and the tightness of your clothes! This is the great lesson in life. To feel confident, wear skinny jeans and leather boots. Always.

After nearly a year of nonblogging, a text conversation

2011-09-28T09:12:00.003-06:00

Number I don't recognize, 7:05 am: "Forgot my phone and bb at home mom and wife"

****I assumed this was a wrong number as I didn't understand the term bb, and my mom signs her texts "love mom" or "love mom and anne"

Number I don't recognize, 8:53 am: "Hello"

Me, 8:53 am: "Who is this"

Number I don't recognize, 8:56 am: "Mom sent u a text b4 u didnt get it"

Me, 8:56 am: "Who are you? I think you have the wrog number"

****note my poor spelling.

Number I don't recognize, 8:59 am: "This is ur mother. left both my phone and bb at home!"

****I'm thinking, "That was helpful. What in the world is a bb?"

Me, 9:00 am: "Look, please stop texting me. You have the wrong number."

****I felt pretty bad about that one. No need to be rude. Plus, I was curious.

Me, 9:07 am: "Actually, I'm curious. What's a bb? Some sort of gun?"

Number I don't recognize, 9:10 am: "Lol...blackberry. sorry bout the wrong number"

Me, 9:11 am: "Oh. Thanks. No problem"

****Now I am left with the unanswered question, "Why does she need both a phone and a blackberry?"

3 things

2010-12-07T17:27:00.003-07:00

I have decided to tell three things about my life recently. I am still deciding what they are. By the end of the post, there will be three!

1. I went to Hawaii for Thanksgiving!!!! It was so much fun!

We got to go to the temple, which was rededicated the day we arrived. I think we did as much as humanly possible in one week in Hawaii. Maybe not, but we did a lot!

2. I learned that on power cables that have fuses in the pug, the plug will have the type of fuse needed written right there where it's easy to see. I learned this after I went to Radioshack 3 times to get a fuse that worked. But now our Christmas tree shines brightly and without fear of overheating or blowing a fuse!

3. I saw Harry Potter 7a, or whatever they're calling it these days, and I really liked it. This surprised me. I've been ambivalent about most of the previous movies.

FHE 2.0

2010-10-15T08:21:00.002-06:00

So this week we split into our FHE groups, finally. It was a bit messy. There are four large groups for the whole ward, and four leaders for each group, in an attempt for them not to get too burned out planning activities every week. Each group was supposed to get to know/entertain people from about 7:15 till 8:00, when we would all share dessert together. I expected two groups to succeed with flying colors, and two to have varying levels of fail. This happened, but it was not the groups I expected. My star-studded cast of four totally awesome group leaders didn't last more than 20 minutes! They were supposed to set the example for everyone else. Sadly, the one I expected to have the most problems did have the most problems.

My quiet but steadfast lonely group leader was stellar, going above and beyond what I expected of him, and keeping the largest contained group of young single adults entertained so long that I had to come looking for them to tell them dessert was served. Finally, the group I was in. It's amazing how you can influence things to keep rolling when you're there acting slightly too enthusiastic and strong-willed to be denied. This group succeeded because I added a little certainty to the very uncertain group leaders. So there you have it. I am not sure how my group leaders will fare in coming days, but so far things are going ok!

FHE, my reward for complaining

2010-10-01T14:21:00.003-06:00

I learned on Sunday that my new calling was a curse muttered at me the last time I voiced my opinion about activities. My good friend, the former FHE co-chair, placed said curse upon me. Now I am at a loss. What do I do? How do I help these people to like FHE when I barely like it. Here are my thoughts (based on my previous complaints):

1. Start on time
2. Don't go over an hour
3. Always have food
4. Spiritual thoughts should be no more than 2 minutes, gospel lessons no more than 20

Ok. This is what I've got so far. Now, what ideas do I have to actually keep the masses entertained and coming back for more? So far...pumpkin carving?

Concerts in the Park!

2010-08-26T22:34:00.002-06:00

Tonight I went to a concert in Pioneer Park in Salt Lake City. She & Him! But first we had to find a good spot and wait. We played my new (from a thrift store) travel Scrabble and I lost spectacularly. Maybe my sister Glarcy will play with me now that she realizes that she can cream me. We also had a little picnic while we played. I made Jello. I love how it jiggles.

Finally, the opening band came on, the Dum Dum Girls. They weren't exactly my thing, so I read some Jeeves while I waited for the main attraction. When the Dum Dum Girls stopped singing, the guy in charge stood up and listed every business in the greater Salt Lake area and several of their employees as a thanks. Finally, She and Him! It was really fun, although we almost got trampled! Oh well. Zooey Deschanel was fun to see. I liked watching her bounce around with her tambourine. Once she got tired, one of her backup singers did the jumping and tambourine banging. Eventually, the smell of peoples' alcohol was and the jostling became unbearable. She sang some of my favorite songs, especially "Black Hole."

Twelve-step programs

2010-08-01T08:50:00.003-06:00

They say the first step is admitting you have a problem. Maybe that's my difficulty. I can see that I have a condition, a situation. Most of me thinks it's not really a big problem, though. Yesterday I bought 5 books from Savers. I am excited to read them. I already started The World is Flat. I weeded out 3 or 4 other interesting looking books just on principle. Mostly because my mom was with me and asked where I was going to keep all these books. Luckily my cousin was there and asked for one I was going to buy but had already read. I decided to share the joy.

So. Do I start attending Book Buyers Anonymous? I just don't ever see how more books can be a bad thing. Even in Texas, when I realized that I would have to cart all those heavy things back to Utah, I considered the difficulties and bought books anyway.

Lesson 13: The Priesthood

2010-07-07T12:19:00.003-06:00

I just got asked to teach the Relief Society lesson on Sunday. It's last minute, and the education counselor apologized, but I totally understand. Sometimes teachers bow out last minute. Anyway, I am really excited because I have enjoyed teaching RS in the past. I am also a little nervous because it's been a while since I've taught. So here's the lesson.

Anyone who has any thoughts, experiences, ideas on how a lesson on the priesthood from the Gospel Principles manual can be taught to a bunch of young single adult sisters is welcome to share. Nay, invited; beseeched!

I can see blue sky when it's raining.

2010-07-02T07:46:00.002-06:00

Seriously.

It happened yesterday.

I was floating down the Provo river in an inflatable kayak, minding my own business, recovering from capsizing just minutes earlier (I don't recommend this; it was so cold I couldn't breathe), when suddenly I felt some water droplets. I thought at first that it was from my oar splashing in and out of the water but then my friend yelled that it was raining. I looked around and I could see drops hitting the water around me. I looked up to blue skies and one tiny, wispy, white cloud. The raindrops didn't even look like they were coming from the cloud. I watched as they came down, and it looked like they were forming right out of the air. It was awesome.

The only man in the room

2010-05-01T13:27:00.004-06:00

I did many fun things last week, and, had I written them down earlier, I would have remembered some good stories to tell. As it is, I have a few. Tuesday last week I went with some friends to Spiral Jetty! It was so much fun and so interesting. Every time I have gone it has been different. This time the jetty and the land it sits on were completely dry. The water didn't even really come near. We had to walk out a ways to get to the water. The water was very shallow for quite a ways (to be expected in the GSL, where the whole lake is shallow), but it was separated, almost into pools, by raised lines of mud. Sticking out of the mud were gypsum crystals, which looked pretty surreal. All in all, we had a wonderfully salty, wet good time. Afterwards, we hiked a little hike at Golden Spike National Park, and saw a little gopher snake, which was awesome and a black widow spider, which was not so awesome.

A couple of days later, I was at a wedding reception where the parents of the bride wanted everyone to open the bottles of sparkling cider to have a toast. Nobody could open their bottles, and nobody had any tools to open their bottles. At our table, I pulled out my Swiss Army Knife and we opened our bottle. People noticed what we were doing and asked to borrow the knife. Soon the knife was passed around the whole room. I was shocked. I was the only man in the room!

Finally, tonight Jessi and I made churros from a mix. They were very tasty, but not as good as from a restaurant. We are now committed to perfecting our churro making skills.

Richard Peck, Richard Peck, Richard Peck!

2010-03-03T14:23:00.002-07:00

As a collector of Newberry award winners, I have definitelly picked out my favorites over the years. At or very near the top of that list is A Year Down Yonder by Richard Peck. Because of that one that I loved, I have read several others of his books. I have become a big fan (even though the books are a bit below my age bracket), and thus was very excited when my sister told me he was coming to town and her friend who works at the library that hosted him had reserved us some seats!

Afterward my sister commented, "I wish I had a transcript of his whole speech. It was like reading CS Lewis. You want to take time to study every line. Every line was thought out and penned beforehand, you can tell." She was right. Listening to him talk was a feast for the ears. He had a lot to say about education and families, mentioning that if schools seem like they are failing, families have already failed. He's a big advocate of reading to very young children. He said that too many people come up with excuses like they're too busy, or the kid is too hyperactive; "I wanted to be hyperactive, but my mother wouldn't let me."

All in all, it was great, although, he did manage to get in a dig about me not having a job. During his speech he talked about what makes a good story and mentioned that moving home after graduating college is not cool.

Ego Boost

2010-01-28T08:43:00.002-07:00

I like ego boosts. I like them a lot.

So this morning I have been working on sewing an apron for my mom to give her friend for her birthday (pictures to come later). As I was sewing, one of my mom's piano students' younger sisters came wandering in. Her mother grabbed her and answered her questions about who I am, then told me what her daughter said, "She's even beautiful, mom."

This tells me a lot of things, the first being that kids really have no sense of attractive. I was wearing my pajamas, hadn't washed my face, hadn't put in my contacts (so I was wearing my glasses), and definitelly hadn't touched my hair. And yet, I still felt pretty good about myself.

Foods

2010-01-07T08:51:00.002-07:00

Lately I am really enjoying my once a week cooking assignment. It has led me to believe that I would be quite happy as a housewife. Hear that all potential husbands?!? I like to cook foods and stay home and such! Take note!

Anyway, I have cooked two things lately that I really liked. Interestingly, one is very vegetarian, while one is as un-vegetarian as you can get! The first is black bean burgers, and they were yummy! I ate them with the salsa that my roommate and I made up.

1 can Rotel (diced tomatoes and green chiles)
1 green onion
1 small garlic clove
small handful of fresh cilantro
half a lime

*Drain the Rotel and chop everything up in an electric chopper, except the lime. Squeeze the lime juice into the completed salsa, add maybe a little salt, and enjoy!

The other recipe is a direct result of watching Julie and Julia. My mom wanted to make something special for her dinner on Friday, so she thought she might like to try Boeuf Bourguignon. I got to try making it Tuesday so she could know if it would be good. We found pdf's of the recipe on this website. Turns out to be a winner. It's a beef stew, and it tastes pretty awesome. We ate it according to the directions on the recipe, with boiled potatoes and steamed peas. It is just so meaty and good.

Music of my mind

2009-12-04T09:57:00.003-07:00

This may make you think I'm crazy, and maybe I am. Ok, here's the story: When I fall asleep, I hear noises, and often they sound like music. So, last night, as I was going to sleep, I had a prolonged period of in-between, when I could hear a lot of noises. It sounded like a symphony, but none I had ever heard before. I woke up and thought, maybe I can get this on paper! Unfortunately, as I tried to remember those melodies and wonderful bass lines, I couldn't remember one thing. All that was left was a knowledge that 1. I had never heard it before (at least, nowhere but my mind) and 2. it was a wonderful mix of classical, modern, and post-modern styles.

As I slipped back into that in between state, the music started again. It was beautiful, and this morning I can remember nothing.

"Bonsai Your Pet" and other stories

2009-11-04T11:23:00.002-07:00

The other day I realized I'm becoming more and more grownup. One of the signs I discovered is affinity for asparagus. I used to refuse to even eat asparagus, and when I did force it down, it was painful. Suddenly, several months ago, I ordered a meal where asparagus was one of the main ingredients. I loved it. I now crave it. It's a sign. However, I still feel like the idea that I'm a grownup is a laughable one. I feel a kinship to the character in this comic (another sign that I am not grownup is the fact that I still read comics).

In other news, this morning I realized that Walter is a pretty nice size for a dog. Not small enough to be too annoying, but small enough that I can still carry him. I mentioned this to my mom and she suggested that I figure out a way to bonsai him. As I considered the methods used to bonsai a tree, I realized that if these were applied to an animal, it might be considered cruelty. Restricting food, water, and living space to keep an animal small all seem somewhat legally actionable, except in the case of goldfish.

pets = stress

2009-10-11T12:14:00.002-06:00

This week Walter was very sick. I got worried. Thursday night I was worried I would have no puppy the next morning. Here's the whole story. Tuesday morning (2 am-ish) I woke up to Walter whining. Turns out he had vomited in his crate!. It was gross, but I was able to clean it up pretty easily. He continued to throw up throughout the morning and got weaker and weaker as the day wore on. By 9am, he would just lie there forlornly, and no amount of coaxing would help him. I ended up taking him to the vet and they decided they needed to do a very expensive x-ray. That, coupled with blood tests, and the actual visit, meant that I had to shell out a lot of money. I was not pleased, but I figured that if the puppy got better, it would be worth it.

They gave me some antibiotics for him and sent me on my way. I was slightly annoyed, because it seemed like he was already getting better. He kept vomiting (or wommitin...), but seemed to be getting better. The next morning he was excited for his food! That was the last time he ate for two days. Thursday I was a bit freaked and had a pit in my stomach all day. The puppy seemed to have some energy, but he wouldn't eat, and he still threw up a couple of times. Friday morning I finally took him to the vet clinic I had wanted to go to in the first place. They checked him out, gave him some saline and vitamin shots and some special food and sent us on our way (they also didn't charge me much, a little less than 1/4 what the other place charged). By Friday afternoon he was pretty perky. By yesterday evening he was so puppyish he was hard to control. I realize there are perks to a subdued puppy, but I am very happy for energetic Walter to be back!

Compared to practically everywhere else, Utah totally rocks!

2009-10-01T09:24:00.000-06:00

As I was driving to California, I thought of three reasons why Utah totally rocks.

Reason number 1: grass. There's nothing like nice, green Kentucky Bluegrass. Walking barefoot in the evening produces the most pleasant sensations.

Reason number 2: crisp bean burritos. There is no Mexican fast food that compares to the fried goodness of the crisp bean burrito from Taco Time. They're so good that my dad craved them each time he had a chemo treatment.

Reason number 3: high speed limits. Huzzah for 80 mph test sections! Forget 65, 70, and 75, it's all about the 80! I love it.

Going to the dark side

2009-09-03T10:39:00.003-06:00

Not long ago a friend gave me a mix CD. It was a disc of country songs. Other friends seemed surprised that I had only heard two of the songs before (and those because they were on the only country disc in the whole house when I was growing up). This is not actually surprising, as in the past country music has held little interest for me.

I have listened to the mix a couple of times now, and I find myself liking a few of the songs, and most of them are by the same person. I feel like it's a slippery slope down to actual purchase of a country album. I might be almost there!

Solution: Celebrate? De-Tox?

Grad students - nostalgia?

2009-08-31T09:50:00.003-06:00

Watch. Pity. Enjoy.

Defensive

2009-08-26T14:50:00.003-06:00

On Monday I had my thesis defense. This is the reason it's been a while since I posted. I was very, very nervous. But thanks to lots of help from my brother Rob and Matt from the lab, my presentation was ready (sorta). After the presentation nobody asked me hard questions. I was shocked. All of the questions were so easy for me to answer or say the scope of the project didn't cover that.

The final exam (the part where everyone else left the room) was a bit more difficult, and I found myself speaking loudly and quickly and maybe babbling a little as I tried to answer the questions my committee threw at me. I think I did ok-ish. They then sent me out of the room and told me to stick around until they came to get me. They made me sweat a little (honestly, how hard is it to say yes or no?) and then brought me back in and said I had passed. During the final exam part, they gave me some things to change, then later they handed back copies of my thesis they had marked up. This has to be fixed before I can leave.

So that's it. I passed, and as soon as I can get things squared away, I'll have that delightful feeling that school's out.

Announcement in church:

2009-08-13T10:30:00.002-06:00

Sunday at the beginning of sacrament meeting, the counsellor conducting the meeting announced that the Stake Pres had something to say. President stood up and said that they had thought long and hard about allowing the singles' branch to join the rotation with the other wards in our building, so that our meeting time would not always be at 2:30 PM.

He talked about how he knew it was important to us, and ended by saying that they were not going to change a thing. It was one of the most disappointing moments of my life. Why did he have to tell us? If he hadn't we never would have known how close we came to getting our desires.

Brithday

2009-08-10T10:40:00.002-06:00

So...yesterday I turned 25. My particular friend and I were speaking about the difference between being 24 and being 25, and we agreed that 25 is great, even though 24 is an even number and has more divisors, because 25 is square. Neither of us is looking forward to 26 because 13 is a lame number. This is not a joke.

Yesterday was a pretty good birthday. I saw a friend I haven't seen all summer and got to pet her dog ("...the world's greatest dog!"). She gave me 4 books! Books are among the best gifts in the world, so I was pretty excited. Way more people wished me happy birthday than I expected, both at church and online, making me feel very loved. Rob and Cynth made the day perfect with a great dinner of pulgogi with pumpkin pie for dessert. Then they gave me tons of presents! It was amazing.

I think 25 could be an awesome year. Lots of changes are happening. Looking back I may (perhaps) consider 25 the year I grew up. I am graduating, going to get a full-time job, buy a car, and maybe even a house. These are all things I've never done before (if "graduating" = master's degree), and I am both nervous and excited. Recently I have been thinking that it is time for me to punch some holes in the ol' comfort zone. So, I'm thinking of things I can do to use my powers for awesome. If anyone wants to backpack through Europe with me in the next few months, let me know. If I'm going to do it, I'd best fit it in before I get a job. To all my Utah friends: get prepared for some hiking and camping in the near future. I want to be outdoors! Mom, be prepared to compost! I am going to use my master skills to transform the garden and our waste habits. Future dog, be prepared to run.

A long-awaited visit to the helium capital of the world

2009-08-06T19:22:00.006-06:00

Almost two weeks ago, my friend and I went on a day trip to Amarillo. We had been planning it for a while because we wanted to go look around, and because I wanted to see Cadillac Ranch. We planned to go several times, but finally set the day for July 25, a day which is auspicious for so many reasons, not the least being that it was a Saturday. As we were searching the web for things to do or see, I came across a reference to a work of art by Robert Smithson, creator of Spiral Jetty. This was another work of earth art called Amarillo Ramp. I discovered that it was on private property and so I went about trying to contact somebody who might be able to give us permission to see it.

I finally found an email address, to which I sent an email asking for information on visiting the ramp. I got back a reply full of questions about my age, education, etc. I answered it to the best of my ability and was surprised to get another asking for my phone number. Finally, I realized that the person who was emailing me was not a secretary or an employee of the owner of the land, but the owner himself. I gave him my number and had a call from him shortly. I was taken aback by his insistence that I had done everything all wrong. He was gracious enough, however, to have one of his employees drive us out to look at the ramp.

Interlude: Amarillo is a very unique city for West Texas because of the man with whom I had just spoken. Artworks both sublime and ridiculous abound throughout the city, many of them directly due to his patronage. He hires what seems to be an innumerable and shifting group of young would-be artists and uses them as errand boys while providing them with studio space.

Returning to our story, I was able to talk with the artist assigned to show us around and set up a time to meet. He was introduced as LBK. I learned that LBK stands for "Long Board Kid" because he used to ride around the city on a longboard. Now he rides around in a big white truck with stripes painted on. After he whipped crazily around the parking lot several times, he stopped, introduced himself and his friends, and ushered us into the back seat of the truck. Everything was grimy and covered in trash. A BB gun was also in attendance. Only one seat belt buckle worked, so we had to improvise. As we started driving, we were blasted with music so foul and profane that I actually started physically shaking. I quickly asked them to turn it down so I could "ask them about Amarillo." It only worked if I kept them talking. Otherwise, up went the volume.

One of the first things we saw was one of Stanley Marsh's (the rich old guy I talked to on the phone) famous joke roadsigns. Then we were taken to the millionaire's home, Toad Hall, were me met his very kind and gracious wife, Wendy. 3 other visitors were also there, and we all had to introduce ourselves and sit down to refreshments and light conversation. I found Wendy to be one of the most surprising and delightful parts of our trip. She instructed our guides on the best sights to show us and sent them on their way. We first saw some large, stuffed vinyl letters, chained to a fence. ART. Then we were whisked into our striped trucks for a drive through the Toad Hall grounds to see Actual Size. Two pictures of the same spot so all can glimpse our guide, LBK.

I realize now that I've spent a lot of text on the trip and haven't even moved on to the ramp. I guess I'll save that for another day. After we saw Actual Size we went to the "sign farm" where old joke signs are placed when they've been replaced or the landowners don't want them. I liked the signs but took no pictures. Then we headed to the ramp, so tune in next time!

In closing, I'd just like to say that I really, really enjoy the episode of Scientific American Frontiers on the Fremont indians.

Hypochondria - a state of being

2009-08-03T08:30:00.002-06:00

I seem to be sick a lot, just ask those who see me on a frequent basis. I spend time in bed, wondering if I'm making it all up. Maybe it's all in my head and I'm not really ill. In the past few months I have lost 10 pounds. I am happy about this, as my clothes fit a bit better, but it is also a trifle worrying. Apparently some friends consider me "sickly," while I consider myself strong, just frequently ill. What is the cause of my frequent illness?

Sometimes I try to figure out why I'm always ill on webmd. As you may guess, this does little to quell hypochondriacal thoughts. So far, I have become convinced that I have diabetes, an ulcer, IBS, appendicitis (funny, I've had my appendix out), a urinary tract infection, hypothyroidism, hyperthyroidism, seasonal allergies, some sort of viral syndrome (mono?), poor stress management techniques, a benign lipoma, and multiple cancers.

Pause

2009-07-31T07:09:00.003-06:00

Sometimes the actions of others give me pause. Sometimes in a good way, sometimes not. For example, whenever I try my hand a mild humor when speaking to my advisor, he is impassive. I wonder, why doesn't he smile? Am I way less funny than I think I am (probably)?

Different story: as a graduate student, I get a stipend from the university every month. I have to admit, I've grown attached to it, so I was disappointed when I didn't get it at the beginning of the month. I tried to take it in my stride and figure out what was wrong. Finally I was informed that I would be paid today, the last day of July. I must say I was a bit impatient for the day to come, so I could once again spend money with abandon.

In the middle of the month, while I was still trying to figure these things out, an employee at my lab, whose office is next to mine, asked me if I was having troubles with that. Apparently her husband was having troubles getting his stipend, too. She contacted the accounts processor at our department and found out when we would get paid.

This morning as I turned on my computer she came to my office to see if I had gotten paid. After I checked and found that I hadn't, she said she would contact the lady for me. This is what gives me pause. Why would she be so eager to help me? A pleasant feeling is pervading, even as I contemplate my continued lack of money, because someone I barely know seems to care enough about me to involve herself in my affairs and try to help.

Unsettling

2009-07-27T08:47:00.004-06:00

This morning I woke up around 3 from what may be considered a nightmare. In the dream, I had, for some reason, agreed to marry a very good friend. I loved him, just not romantically. In the dream, I guess I decided that I needed to stop waiting for Mr. Right, and settle for Mr. Right Now. It's all a bit hazy, but I think that I figured that being married to a good friend I wasn't in love with was better than not being married at all.

Anyway, immediately after the ceremony (which I don't really remember, I just remember thinking, "Well, now I'm married..."), I had this sinking feeling in the pit of my stomach. I suddenly realized that I was trapped. I would need to be a good wife to the guy I had just married, and would never be able to be with someone I truly loved, if I ever found him.

It was pretty weird to wake up from. I lay there thinking, "What am I going to do? I can't get a divorce. Maybe an annulment? What does the First Presidency think of those?" It took me a couple of moments lying there to realize that it had all been just a dream, and I was as yet unfettered by such a choice.

I'm very curious as to what this dream meant, if anything. Any suggestions?

Pressing issues for a changing world

2009-07-20T13:12:00.003-06:00

As my three readers know, I write passionately about global concerns. It will not come as a surprise, then, that I wish to address the devastating problem of changing fashions with two examples.

First: I have a favorite shirt. It comes in v-neck or crew neck, short-sleeved or long-sleeved. I have every combination in various colors. If I had enough of them, I would wear this shirt every day. Only one thing stops me from having enough. It's not money. I've got the money to spend. They aren't sold any more. For at least the last six months I have been checking for my favorite shirt (Mossimo black-tag t-shirt) every time I go to Target. No luck. They aren't selling it any more. I've gone into mourning.

Second: my favorite shoes. Several years ago I bought a pair of no-name brand junk shoes. They have since become my favorites (yes, that's a hole in the toe):

I have been searching everywhere for an equally cheap replacement, as these are finally falling apart. Wouldn't you know, Payless has started making shoes that don't look like trash (for the most part). They don't have anything that looks remotely like my favorite shoes, or much that even looks like something I'd wear. The only brand I've been able to find that approaches similarity to my favorite shoes is converse, and aside from the ridiculous prices of their shoes is the fact that they just look so trendy. Where can I find a junky shoe that is comfortable, not totally ugly, and cheap?

My moral dilemma

2009-07-13T10:17:00.003-06:00

I have been planning what I will do when I finally finish my master's degree. Some of these things involve celebrating extensively, getting a job, buying a house, getting a dog, being a bum, and buying a car. I think I pretty much know what I'm looking for in each of these things. For example:

House: small, cheap, large trees, fenced yard. Preferably over 50 years old.

Dog: large, low shedding, easy to train, some protective tendencies.

Job: pays money. Is in Utah (preferably Utah Valley).

The exception is "car." I will most likely need a car, and I firmly believe that cars should be fuel efficient. I drive a Geo Metro right now, but that will be staying in Texas. The problem is that my dream car is an older model Jeep Wrangler, one of the most fuel-inefficient cars on the market. I have been rationalizing the desire by thinking about my future job. I am a soil scientist (saying that sounds pretentious, but I think it might be an accurate statement), and my ideal job involves visiting rural areas with questionable roads. So a Jeep would be a good choice, right? My sister has abetted the justification process by pointing out that a Jeep would be extremely useful when visiting places like Spiral Jetty, and my imagination immediately took me to the San Rafael Swell. It would be so useful! I think the justifications fit. Maybe I can have two cars....

Why I wear a jacket every day

2009-07-07T07:24:00.003-06:00

Every day when I walk into my office, I put on my jacket. It is the middle of summer and to stay warm as I sit at my desk I need a jacket. I spend most of my time in a government building, and share an office with a person who has much different indoor climate views than I do.

Here is what I believe: In the summer a person should be able to comfortably go from a building to outdoors wearing the same clothes. In the winter a person should be able to comfortably wear winter clothes inside. Not a parka, but certainly a sweater.

I also believe that the US government spends too much money keeping its buildings warm in the winter and cool in the summer. If we raised thermostats a few degrees in the summer, how much would we save on cooling costs? If we lowered our thermostats in the winter, would the costs be worth it? I think they would. I have a dream that one summer day I will walk into my building and feel a slight change in temperature, instead of a blast of arctic air.

iPod Shuffle

2009-07-01T12:33:00.003-06:00

So...I've been thinking maybe I should design for Apple. I think that they do well with the minimalist shuffle, but I think there's room for improvement.

Right now the shuffle is a very small box with very simplistic controls. What if it was just an earbud? This is a serious question. Wouldn't it be nice not to have the wires connecting the earbuds to the little box getting in the way of things? There could even be two earbuds, and a controller that stays in a pocket or as a ring on your finger or something, all connected by bluetooth. The thing is, the flash memory for the music doesn't actually take up that much space. Look at the old shuffle, it's basically a box barely big enough to have a familiar user interface. I think this idea could turn into something awesome.

Questions

2009-06-30T08:04:00.002-06:00

Every once in a while, but especially lately, I have questions that I would ask my dad, were he here. They are questions that I generally won't ask anyone else because they won't know. Here are some recent questions:

Where should I look for lizards in Lubbock? The road runner in the parking lot seems to know, but I don't.

Who is the Angel Raphael?

You once told me your views on evolution. Were they influenced by Henry Eyring's book, The Faith of a Scientist? If so, do you own it?

What kind of tarantulas live in this area and are they dangerous?

Lessons learned

2009-06-10T12:56:00.003-06:00

I have learned that when living with roommates, I don't think about the bath tub. I shower without contacts in, and I clean up after myself (I lose a considerable amount of hair in the shower. It's a wonder I'm not bald.). Other than that, I try not to look around or touch anything. I think it has to do with the Tragedy of the Commons, which is an idea I try to work into as many conversations as possible. Since I don't know what my roommates were washing off of themselves, I don't know when the tub was last cleaned, and I don't like to perpetuate the idea that nobody needs to clean because I will always do it, I never bathe in a tub shared with roommates. No matter what. Often, in the last year, when I have been sick (and that is very often), my mom has suggested that I take a nice hot bath. Sounds nice, yes, but I cannot bring myself to do it.

This is all leading up to something: now, living with Rob and Cynth, they have kindly allotted me my own bathroom. The tub is so clean! Even if it's not, I know what is in there. The long and the short of it is, I've bathed 2 times in the last 4 days (slightly higher than my average shower frequency) and am planning on another one when I go home today (significantly higher than my average shower frequency).

Thesis

2009-06-03T09:29:00.003-06:00

Sometimes I feel like this:

Non-dictionary definitions

2009-06-01T11:54:00.002-06:00

I often misspell words when instant messaging. If I get questioned as to the meaning of such words, I make something up. The word of the day:

hindisght = Hindi sight

n. Of or having the ability to see any living thing's previous or future incarnations.

The Future Is Now

2009-05-28T17:33:00.002-06:00

As I was listening to a presentation on wind energy today, I had a revelation: the future of renewable energy is not in windmills or hydroelectric power, or even nuclear. The problem with all of these is that they require some lower form of energy to eventually make electricity. I think that the future of renewable energy is some sort of biophotoelectric power. This is the name I came up with while I was trying not to fall asleep in the presentation.

Just think - genetically modified plants that have roots connected to a biological battery. All living things conduct electricity, they even have electrical charges. We have bred plants to grow bigger fruit, to have shorter stems, why not generate power using photosynthesis? Now all I need is to be a genius who understands electricity and plant physiology and genetics.

Citizenship

2009-05-12T15:34:00.003-06:00

It bugs me when I use the restroom here at the Cropping Systems Research Lab and there are soap drips and water droplets all over the counter. It's so easy to clean up after ourselves, why don't we do it? I have found myself wiping off the whole counter and the sinks with my paper towel after I dry my hands. As I have done this, it has occurred to me that this is something old people do. When did I become an old person? I digress.

As many (ie: 3 of the 4 people who read this blog) of you know, I'm a regular reader of the no impact man blog. Today his post talked about how he jaywalked and people followed him and almost got hit by a car for their trusting behavior. He mentioned that whether we expect it to happen or not, people will follow our examples. My point is, if we do the basic actions expected of responsible adults, maybe people will follow our examples. Maybe the sinks will be clean next time I use the restroom.

Constants

2009-04-28T07:57:00.004-06:00

The last week has brought a lot of changes in my life. So has the last month. Nothing bad or sad, just different, like I was released from my calling on Sunday. There are a few constants in my life, though, that keep me balanced.

Gospel - it is.

Family - This may not be true for other people, but I seem to talk to each of my siblings just about once a week. My mom and my sister, at least every day. Especially I'm glad for my oldest brother and his family who live in the same city that I do and who feed and care for me as much as I will let them. Sometimes I feel like they are my link to sanity. Also, Cynthia knits me stuff.

Wind - Without it, I wouldn't have a master's project. And it's always windy in Lubbock.

Foot in mouth - I will always say the wrong thing, or the right thing badly. Ask anyone.

Friends - I have a few good friends who seem to constantly build me up and are so fun to be around. One, especially, seems to build me up just when others are tearing me down.

Books - I like them. They are always there.

Dry skin - I've had to accept that my dry skin will never go away. Flaky pieces of skin, white, cracked areas on my hands, gray elbows - all are common occurrences. Moisturizer is another constant in my life.

Gravity - Represented by a small "g" in many equations.

Men are that they might have joy

2009-04-21T15:05:00.002-06:00

Today as I was taking a break from my exhausting work on data I read the latest posts on one of my favorite blogs, no impact man. On today's post the author asked an interesting question: are we here to be happy? The idea was to have a lot of people comment on what they thought. A lot of people mentioned that they thought that happiness was good, but that we should be caring for people and the environment. In fact, so many people said almost the exact same thing that I started to get worried. Is ours the only religion that believes that God intends for us to find joy?

Thankfully, we have the Book of Mormon to tell us these things. Maybe those people don't realize that true joy comes from doing what we know in our hearts is the right thing to do?

April Fools

2009-04-01T10:26:00.003-06:00

Sorry for my lame joke.

Lame. I like Cynthia enough to actually do it.

2009-03-08T09:37:00.004-06:00

8 Favorite TV Shows

M*A*S*H
Psych
The Office
30 Rock
What Not To Wear
Chuck
Ugly Betty
Nova

8 Things I Did Yesterday

Went to church
Freaked out because the Relief Society teacher wasn't there
Frantically wrote notes about the RS lesson during Sacrament meeting talks
Discovered that the teacher had switched with someone
Ate shake'n'bake chicken
Dominated at nurtz
Left things strewn about the house on purpose
Argued about which cheese is best

8 Things I am Looking Forward To

Graduation!
Seeing my family
Summer
Living somewhere where I don't feel out of place in my 'unique' clothes
A vacation
Culture
Having my own house (one day)
Graduation

8 Favorite Restaurants

Bombay House
Cafe Rio
Bangkok Grill
Jalisco's
Rosa's
Ultimate Broiler Grill
Red Lobster
Freebirds

8 Things on My Wish List

A puppy
A pony
Graduation
An electric car (maybe a Tesla Roadster)
Super powers; I think super speed would be the best
A high-paying, low-stress job
An HP Touchsmart computer
A Kindle 2

Setting expectations low

2009-02-17T13:56:00.001-07:00

When I first moved to Texas, there was a guy in my branch who caught me saying some funny things. For months after, every time he saw me, he would say, "You're so funny! Say something funny." I would sit there trying to think of something to say, while also thinking, "I can't do it on command..." After several months of me saying nothing clever in his presence, he seemed to give up on my sharp wit, for which I was relieved.

I thought nothing more of that episode until a few days ago when I met the new sister missionaries that were transferred into our branch. They wanted to meet with me, since I am the RS pres, so I could tell them about people in the branch who may need their help. They asked me about myself, and everything I said made the greenie sister laugh really hard. I was on a roll! But I couldn't help thinking about that guy... Now every time I see her I will be trying to think of something witty to say, and will end up silent and dull. Oh well. I can always hope I'm wittier than I was then.

Spiritual Enlightenment~

2009-02-17T13:36:00.001-07:00

This will be a short one today, because I really only have one thing to say. The other day, as I was driving home from my brother's house, where I spend as much time as possible, I was pretty troubled about some things and thinking hard on solutions. One of my thoughts was something I have been told before: humility is strength. If we have true humility, we know that without God, we are nothing. More importantly, we know that with Him, we can do anything. There is great power in acknowledging His hand in all things. (This may be a bit of a ramble, so sorry if it doesn't make sense)

This may not be doctrinal, but another part of my epiphany was that humility involves understanding Heavenly Father's view of us. Once we know how we are loved, we can share that love with other people. There is no weakness, inadequacy, or fear; only great power in the knowledge that we are worth loving. Once we know this, and give up our own pride in the process, we can stop looking so much towards ourselves and look outward.

Foot in Mouth Disease

2009-02-09T10:22:00.001-07:00

Lately it seems that I always say the wrong thing. Take yesterday for example, I started off the morning by saying awkward things to my roommates. Then I asked a friend a personal question in front of a lot of people. Then I went to lunch, where I couldn't even seem to form a complete sentence. Then, I betrayed a confidence, forgot to bring things I had promised people, and once again, couldn't form a complete sentence.

At church, I feel obligated to talk to people; it's my job to help people feel welcome and loved. I'm afraid that I just go around offending them. So...I guess I am saying that I think maybe I should not be allowed to talk to people any more. Maybe that way they won't get offended and leave the church.

That sounds pitiful, and it's not entirely true that I don't think I should talk to people at all, it's just that I need to learn to think before I speak. Thinking in general sometimes seems a bit beyond my grasp. Any suggestions on how to go about this?

Bottom 10

2008-11-20T11:06:00.004-07:00

This is a list of things I do not enjoy and/or actively dislike:

10. Maruchan Instant Lunch. Maybe this is because I'm eating it right now.

9. Winter wind. It's cold!

8. People who hurt/abandon animals. I know, it's cheesy, but it really gets me cheesed to see something innocent get hurt.

7. Mealy tomatoes. I'm not the biggest fan of tomatoes to begin with, though I think they accent the flavors of other foods quite nicely. But biting into a burger that's got an old mealy tomato in it is gross.

6. Chocolate desserts. What is with this country's fixation on everything chocolate? I don't really like it, but I am bombarded with it wherever I go. I dislike the fact that females are expected to love chocolate. I also dislike chocolate desserts with dangerous names.

5. Crowded bathrooms. I guess I just prefer to do my business alone. The bathroom at our lab has 4 stalls. If there are three people in the room, that means that the stalls are 75% full. This is a problem. I prefer places that are 25% full or less. This, to me is the optimum capacity of any given restroom.

4. Windows without screens. I like to open the window. I don't like bugs to come in my house. You do the math.

3. Inflexible people. Have you ever had someone refuse point blank to try something? (this is aside from doing that for religious reasons, which I have done several times.....) I like to try new things. I like to share the things I like. I had a friend refuse to listen to Wait Wait Don't Tell Me, without ever having heard it. The reason: she doesn't like talk radio.

2. Texans and 4-way stops. They just don't seem to grasp how they work, which results in everyone waiting for someone to go, and then everyone trying to go at once.

1. Repetitive whining. I remember that Jeffery R. Holland once talked in conference about how Nephi probably preferred being beaten by his brothers to listening to them complain. I have totally experienced this. When people complain constantly about the same things, I feel like shooting myself. It reminds me of Vogon poetry.

Another one

2008-10-23T12:52:00.002-06:00

5 things Quirky? Is that how it goes? Oh, 5 things unknown, unless you're Glarcy. Interestingly enough, Glarcy is the one who tagged me, and Glarcy is the one who knows all of this already.

1- I'm almost obsessive about research, as long as I'm not required to do it. There's a reason my sister is always asking me what camera, computer, etc. to get. I like to do consumer research. If you want to find the best_____ talk to me. I will research it for you. I have always felt that this comic describes me quite well.

2- I have a hard time killing bugs. I'm not afraid of them (with the exception of very large spiders), I just don't like killing them. I may take that sanctity of life thing too far. The only exception to this is mosquitoes. It still bothers me to kill them, just not as much.

3- I don't wash my hair. (Ok-let me qualify this statement. I don't use shampoo more than once a month, and usually less than that. It just dries out my hair too much. I use conditioner on my hair every time I shower. I don't stink. My hair's not greasy.)

4- I drink more liquid than anyone else I know. I have done this ever since I was a kid. As you may have guessed, this has interesting side effects.

5- I am lucky in weird ways. I really can't elaborate because I'm afraid it will end. All I will say is that my brother ended up getting a job in the same obscure city where I am going to school. No more lonelies for me! Things like this happen to me all the time.

playing fetch with my nephew

2008-09-30T17:56:00.003-06:00

That last time I threw the ball pretty far, but Andrew is bringing it back in his mouth.

Now he's tired of the game, probably because crawling hurts the knees....

Now to the meat of the post:

....ok, there is no meat. I'm sorry. Lately I am going through another one of my vegetarian consideration phases. Every once in a while I wonder if I should be a vegetarian. I know there is nothing wrong with eating meat. I like meat. I just usually don't eat it that much, anyway, only when I am eating with people. I would cut shopping costs (only a little since I usually just mooch off my brother and sister-in-law and others), and eating out would be much, much cheaper. I would always order the salad, which is usually cheap. Also, lots of people say that the American beef and poultry consumption is not sustainable for the whole world to adopt, and those up and coming countries love to eat like Americans.

Is being a vegetarian just too popular for me to do? I don't like fitting into a stereotype (unless it's Molly Mormon). Is it too presumptuous? It is just too lame?

Biting off an acceptable amount (hopefully)

2008-09-16T08:29:00.003-06:00

A few weeks ago I was invited to join a team for the annual city fitness competition. Basically you get points for exercising and possibly losing weight. Now, so that I don't let my team down, I've got to actually exercise.

Yesterday I was invited to join a co-ed softball team. I decided it would be fun. I hope we practice a maximum of once a week. I hope I can even hit a ball.

I am a grad student and it is a busy time preparing some research equipment to go out to the field.

I was called as the relief society president a couple of months ago and recently decided I needed to step things up if I wanted to do a good job.

I hope I haven't bitten off more than I can chew. I hate that feeling.

If Swedish Fish were a man, I would so marry him

2008-09-03T13:51:00.002-06:00

It's true. Swedish Fish is probably my favorite candy. There's no down side I can think of. These are the characteristics of Swedish Fish that make them perfect for manhood:

Tasty. Seriously, excellent flavor.
Quality does not diminish with age. Sure, they get a little harder to chew, but the flavor and texture remains perfect.
Attractive. Red is one of my favorite colors.
Entertaining. If you're bored, having a school of fish to entertain you is great. You can play shark and attack the unsuspecting stragglers. You could pretend one is Nemo. The possibilities are endless.
Soothing. To me, Swedish Fish are a comfort food. I feel good when I eat them.
Tidy. This candy doesn't melt in your hands, have crumbs, or turn your fingers colors.
Versatile. Is there a situation where Swedish Fish are not appropriate? I submit that there is not!

That's all I can think of for the moment. Maybe I need to look for the man that fits this list. Shouldn't be too hard since it's pretty vague.

Don't get too attached

2008-08-27T21:00:00.003-06:00

I think my life would be a lot easier if I stopped caring. If I have no friends, I don't miss them when they leave. You don't get invited to things, so you don't feel bad when your friends aren't, either. Most of all, don't have pets, because every time they have an opportunity to get hurt, you have a heart attack. I'm glad Chaco is still alive. The neighbors should be glad that Chaco wears tags, because their dog was found with him.

Refrigerator

2008-08-19T10:14:00.002-06:00

According to Ryan's shirt:

Haikus are easy
but sometimes they don't make sense
refrigerator

Here's the real story:

Yesterday my office smelled weird, but I couldn't find the source. Today it smelled worse, and I found the source. The mini-fridge belonging to my office mate. About two weeks ago the power outlet it was plugged into stopped working. He never cleaned it out. Also, for some reason, over the weekend, he turned up the thermostat to like 85 degrees, and now he's gone on a trip. When I opened the fridge, I was blasted with the most horrible smell. It went into the halls, and I had to run far away to avoid the gag reflex. I ended up putting alcohol on a dust mask and wearing rubber gloves. I cleaned out the fridge, but as of a couple of hours ago, it was still super smelly. The smell clung to my clothes, my hair, and my nose. I am frustrated.

Breaking Dawn, or breaking wind?

2008-08-14T12:35:00.002-06:00

Seriously. That was just about the worst book I ever read. Talk about drivel. I hope no one reading this is offended, but I am telling you what I believe to be true.

First of all, if anyone thought that the earlier books were a bit suggestive, then check out this one!!!

Second of all--I don't even know where to begin. It was a waste of time that I was determined to read. I'm ashamed of myself.

5 more things

2008-08-06T13:12:00.003-06:00

I like listing random things. Mostly for lack of anything better to talk about. So here are 5 things that have happened to me lately, or that I've been thinking about.

1-My brother's family just moved to Lubbock!!! So far I have seen them every day. I hope they don't get sick of me. That would be sad.

2-Evonne is back, which means that I no longer have to take care of her dog. I also miss being responsible for him.

3-I read A Girl Named Zippy and loved it. It is just fun to read. It seems like an autobiography to me, but it's shelved with the place histories. I guess the book's a little bit about her town, talking about the people that were there when she was, but mostly it seems to be about the author and her family. If you want a book that talks about small town life and people, and also passes surprisingly few judgements on them, this one is for you. Somehow the author was able to convey differences between people (usually her family and others) without saying which was better (maybe because most people would say not her family...).

4-This month I am not going to read or watch anything I have already read or watched (mostly read), with a few exceptions: 1) Some girls in my branch are forming a book club. I will read North and South and watch it with them, even though I have already done both of those things. 2) My friend recently acquired Groundhog Day, and I don't own it, so I figure I better watch it. 3) Scriptures (I know everyone was waiting for this one).

5-I need to revitalize my approach to food. Anyone have any cool recipes to recommend? I especially like ones that are simple to buy and make.

Hard work backlash

2008-07-10T11:09:00.003-06:00

I don't have much to say. I am bored. I have plenty to do, but yesterday I worked real hard, and this morning I pretty much finished a project. Now I don't feel like working. (I just had a thought. A savvy supervisor-or in this case, advisor-would have found my blog and would be monitoring for signs of misspent time.)

So I thought today I would talk about several things.

First of all, I love the picture my sister put on her blog.

Second of all, here are some other pictures:

Thirdly, I have been listening to NPR and have learned a lot of things. People who pay with cash spend less than people who pay with plastic. This could be the reason why my mom stresses the importance of having a budget where one gets the amount of cash needed for the month on the first, and uses that all the way through. The NPR folk also mention that saving money is good for the economy because it makes money available for people to borrow.

Fourth: my sunburn is beginning to peel. It makes me feel very scaly.

Fifthly, which do you prefer, dogs or cats?

Evonne's Birthday Day 2-Internet Problems and Admitting Defeat

2008-05-30T06:38:00.003-06:00

We will not admit defeat. We will not. Even though the plate was completely empty yesterday when I went to take a picture. I don't know what took it, but even the beans are gone. I couldn't do this post yesterday because the neighbor's internet connection I was "borrowing" stopped working. Lame.

This does not mean we will give up. Allison and I are tougher than that. What do people think about the trampoline as a viable location for the plate? I think it will have ground pork, chicken, and beef on the plate. That is all for now. I think we will place the new plate later today.

Evonne's Birthday Present (Day 1)

2008-05-28T18:14:00.004-06:00

Allison and I wanted to do something special for Evonne's Birthday. Several nights ago we were surfing the web looking at funny things with our friends when Ashley, the queen of cool web knowledge, told us about the site, www.stinkymeat.net. It is great. Absolutely brilliant. So, in the spirit of science and awesome, Allison and I will be posting daily pictures and descriptions of our plate of meat (and/or meat substitute).

Day 1~

2 shrimp
6 pieces of bacon
A blob of refried beans that's been in the fridge for a week

This lovely plate of protein (There could be more than 6 pieces of bacon) was then placed in a location that is both stinky and trashy, our back alley.

2008-05-23T12:01:00.002-06:00

I feel the need to blog, but I don't know what about.

I was thinking that I could get a theme, like some blogs I've seen. My problem is that I don't know what my theme would be. I decided to expand my memory by memorizing a scripture a day, so I could post the scripture of the day. But that's a bit boring. Not that the scriptures are boring, but if someone wants a scripture a day, he or she can go look in the scriptures. I could take pictures of what I eat for dinner and talk about how tasty it was. Actually, I like that idea....Maybe it's because I'm hungry.

Instead, I'll tell about something that means much to me.

My lawn.

It's a mess. It's too long. Especially the weeds, which pretty much make up my lawn. There is crabgrass, dandelions, poking sticker things, etc, not to mention dog mess. I need a lawn mower. I could get a gas powered one used for $40, or a old-fashioned one (no motor) new for $75. What should I do?

Oh. Right. I could borrow one. For free.

Five Earth Day Faux Pas

2008-04-23T11:38:00.002-06:00

I am a big fan of Earth Day. I just didn't spend it in such a way as would show I actually care. There are some things that are good that I do every day. I always drive a fuel efficient car. I always try to consume less. Here are my five not-so Earth Day-y things I did.

1. Ran computers all day. Every time I was sitting down, it seems, I was running a computer. They are quite the power hogs!

2. Ate at a restaurant where styrofoam reigns supreme. Also, I don't know where these ingredients came from. If they came from very far, then they are very environmentally unfriendly.

3. Ate Dominoes pizza. Once again. Who knows where the ingredients came from?

4. Drove everywhere. I mean, everywhere. No car pooling, no bike riding, no nothing. This is closely related to

5. Went for a drive. I never go for a drive, but yesterday the wanderlust seized me. I drove as far as possible until I got too scared my car would blow up.

"Concern for the One"

2008-04-15T10:05:00.002-06:00

I missed Elder Wirthlin's talk in conference a couple of weeks ago, I forget why. I have always loved Elder Wirthlin because even though he seems to have a hard time actually talking, he is so powerful and his talks are filled with love. This talk is no different. It was so beautiful it made me want to cry. (I think I did shed a tear or two...)

For all those who read this blog (I think there are three of you, no exaggeration), read this talk! Even if you already saw it live, it is one that can be read over and over. Share it with people, I know that no one can help feeling the love.

2008-04-07T11:31:00.002-06:00

Sometimes as I'm eating a quesadilla, I think I'm eating a balanced meal. I think to myself, "I have cheese for protein (and calcium), tortillas for grain, and hey! Salsa's like all vegetables!" Now that's healthy.

2008-02-27T15:22:00.002-07:00

Be careful what you wish for!!!!

The other day I wrote on facebook that I needed adventure in my life. If anyone reads this, please remind me it's a bad idea to ever wish for that again. A mouse infestation was not what I had in mind. ugh, argh, and all those other onomatopoeias!

I wish for a man. Will that go south on me as well? I hope not. Although, now that I think of it, it has every other time I've wished for one. Oh well. I guess that's all I have to say for one day.

One more thing. A pest control man just came to my apartment (I told management about the mice) and set some traps. It's amazing how a skinny, scrawny, nerdy looking guy is suddenly very attractive as he talks fearlessly about his daring exploits with small rodents!

2008-02-26T14:50:00.002-07:00

Puppy!

My friend just got a puppy. He is a stray and super cute. Since my friend is also going to be my roommate, it will be like having my own dog. Can you guess the breed?

2007-10-01T09:32:00.000-06:00

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.

2007-09-26T17:24:00.000-06:00

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.

2007-06-21T13:51:00.000-06:00

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.

2007-04-10T11:33:00.000-06:00

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.

2007-03-06T11:25:00.000-07:00

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.

2007-03-06T10:53:00.000-07:00

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.

2007-01-31T11:20:00.000-07:00

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)

2007-01-29T12:10:00.000-07:00

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.

2007-01-18T10:11:00.000-07:00

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.

2006-10-28T23:37:00.000-06:00

Disappointment~

Once I was teaching a lab.
One of the students in that lab seemed like my ideal guy.
Then I found out that he was a freshman, barely 18.

2006-10-07T23:28:00.000-06:00

An Ode to Blogging in Bed

Handwriting recognition, online comics, spider solitaire.
Down comforter, sweatpants, pillow.
Late night, exams finally graded, drooping eyes.
Wireless Internet...need I say more?

Computer fan whirring, face yawning, I lay down my head.
Eyes watering, alarm set, I finally resolve to go to bed.

2006-09-08T14:21:00.000-06:00

Satisfaction~

Sometimes it doesn't take much to make me satisfied. School has started, and I've been feeling pretty swamped. Today feels good, though. Maybe because it's a Friday, or as I like to call it, "Fridya." Tonight I get to attend an employee appreciation dinner, a wedding reception, and a birthday party...I'm not sure in what order. If I can get it all in, it will be very satisfying.

I guess those are big things. A small thing would be..........wait for it...........snickers ice cream bars in the vending machines. It never fails to make me feel good (even if I end up with a stomach ace).

I guess that's it, so...to my family of slacker bloggers,

Welcome Back!

2006-06-01T09:10:00.000-06:00

I just have to say, for those of you who weren't there, Zion National Park is the greatest! If you have never hiked Angel's Landing, you must! Even my mom has hiked it, and she's afraid of heights!

On a different note, does anyone know where I can find a cheap commercial grinder that will grind soil so finely that it will fit through a 60 mesh? I would be very appreciative, especially as my hands are a little sore from all the grinding I did yesterday.

2006-05-23T09:19:00.000-06:00

Time Flies~
It's been a very, very long time since I've posted. But now I'm just stating the obvious.

I just spent a week with my 86-year-old grandmother and sometimes it wasn't easy. One of the most trying things, though, was not helping my grandma to get dressed. The worst was not having the internet!!!

I felt totally cut off from the rest of the world. Even my cell phone did not help me. I have to come to grips with the fact that I am addicted to the internet. I thought moving home for the summer and not having wireless was bad. That's nothing. So what if I can't blog from my bed? At least I still work on campus and can use the high-speed internet there. In a pinch, I can always use the parents' dial-up (the horror). Just give me the internet!!

This need to stay connected has made me wonder about an article I read a long time ago saying that this generation is not at all independent, not being able to be separated from their fancy new-fangled communications devices. I think they're right, although at the time I felt like I was an exception because I didn't have a cell phone. I felt totally lost without my internet fix. No emailing, no blogging, no online news stations with fascinating Asian human interest stories. Where else are you going to read about a Japanese town having a radish cloned because it showed such great bravery?

2006-05-02T11:56:00.000-06:00

Quick Blog~
I am at a kiosk on BYU campus. I have come to pick up my final from my professor. he is not in his office, but the door is open. I have been tempted to just walk in and sit down. I do not think that would be acceptable. Oh well.
The freedom of summer is hitting me. I have time to read!! my problem is I don't know where to start. Any suggestions?

2006-04-12T14:44:00.000-06:00

End of Semester Blues~

Oh yeah, I got the blues.
The so much to do, so little time blues.
The great outdoors are calling and I have an essay to write blues.
The weather is so nice, but I got a take-home test to complete blues.
The I gotta go skiing once more this season but I ain't got time blues.
The I should be writing that essay but I'm surfing the net blues.
I got the end of winter semester blues.
I got the blues.
My professor don't know my real name, blues.
The he got me a plane ticket in that wrong name blues.
The he even has a copy of my passport blues.
The I can't wait for Springfest! blues.
The I gotta go to class now blues.

2006-04-07T18:35:00.000-06:00

On to Marsupials!
Marsupials are, in some ways, weirder that monotremes. The females have pouches on their bellies where the barely-born embryo lives attached to one of the mother's nipples for several weeks. After it is grown enough, it can leave the pouch for short periods of time, coming back for warmth and food.

There are many marsupials, and although most are found in Australia, there are a few found in Central and South America. Those most commonly found in the US are called opossums, although there is also a more monkey-like species found in South America. In Australia, the virtual absence of placental mammals for such a long time allowed marsupials to radiate to fill all sorts of niches. There are carnivorous marsupials like the Tasmanian devil and the now extinct Tasmanian wolf. There are rodent-like marsupials, even ones like moles. There are kangaroos, koalas, and all the other most famous Australian marsupials. So there's your little blurb on marsupials. Pretty cool, eh?

2006-04-06T16:42:00.000-06:00

I like to learn~
Yesterday I got a letter, a tape and some candy from my friend J____ who is in the MTC. I felt a little bad, I should have been the one sending her the letter, tape, and candy. Oh well. The tape was awesome. It reminded me of how much we grow. Every time we leave our comfort zone and stretch ourselves we make amazing progress. So there's my first part of the blog.

Here's the second: have you ever wondered what marsupials are? And what about all those other wierd things, the monotremes? How are they different from "normal" (placental) mammals? I will tell you.

First of all, marsupials and monotremes are mammals. Mammals have mammary glands, which produce milk (learn about mammals in one of my favorie songs). If you are reading this you are a mammal. There are several types of mammals that have split apart as evolution has occured. The first branch that split from the mainstream mammal tree is the monotremes. Monotremes are perhaps the weirdest mammals around. The order Monotremata only has two members: the platypus and the echidna. Monotremes lay eggs!!! They also don't really have nipples, they just excrete milk from their skin. Talk about neat! Oh yeah, and the male platypus has a venomous spine on its ankle. The echidna has a spine, too, but it's not dangerous. I think that's enough for one day...we'll move on to marsupials later, and then maybe touch on placental mammals.

2006-04-04T07:49:00.000-06:00

Another Tuesday Morning~
Yesterday evening I thought of something. Eating is a pain. I do not have an eating disorder. I just think that buying, preparing, and eating the easy-to-prepare food I end up eating is a pain. The problem is that I am too lazy or don't have time to make something good. So when I finally get some good food I overeat, which is also a pain. It's just a big hassle. I think when I rule the world I will abolish eating.

On to bigger and better things...Wasn't conference great? I have my perennial favorites, and they did not disappoint. I think my favorite was Elder Wirthlin's talk. It was so good.

2006-03-28T22:45:00.000-07:00

What do you do if you suspect your favorite roommate is a NM?~
By NM I am referring to Robert Kirby's Sunday of the Living Dead, the chapter on the kinds of mormons. You all know what kind I am referring to. It worries me slightly. I only get occasional glimpses of it, but they kinda frighten me. I would give examples, but what if she reads this? I guess she'd probably know it's her, anyway. The latest fright I received was on hearing of the evil nature of Twister. I thought at first that thinking of Twister as a game was just my sheltered upbringing coming out. It wasn't. When I realized that I had a hard time restraining myself from laughing aloud. Apparently it's very sexual in nature. Go figure. I thought it was about making a fool of yourself! Sometime I'll tell you how the subject even came up...so tell me! What do you do if you suspect your favorite roommate is a NM?
PS - Pray for me to finish my big long paper that I'm working on tonight!

2006-03-28T09:09:00.000-07:00

Boredom in the PS100 Lab~
As of right now I am the only person in the physical science ta lab. None of my fellow TA's are present, and certainly no students. So guess what I like to do when I'm bored in the lab.
did you guess?
I like to read what has been posted on the little cork board near the door. There are lots of funny comics that can only be fully appreciated by a science geek. There is also this great little card that Maggie had handed to her at a parade in her home town of Payson. I thought I would type it up for you for your enjoyment.

The first side reads...WHAT CAN WE LEARN FROM FOSSILS? (and it has a picture of a fossil)
The reverse side reads: Do you know....
...That fossils prove only two basic things?
1. A plant or animal lived.
2. A plant or animal died.
Do fossils point to "millions of years" of evolution? Or, do they represent what happened during Noah's flood? While fossils are used to teach a belief system called evolution, they really should be used to point to another belief system.
BELIEFS MATTER. Consider Adolph Hitler or Joseph Stalin. These were notorious murderers whose deeds were based on a false belief called evolution. "Particles-to-people" evolution cannot be seen today. It is a religious worldview that does not include a Creator - a belief system behind many evils! Rather than millions of years of evolution, fossils best point to the rapid burial of organisms in the worldwide Flood as Noah, his family, and at least two of each kind of land animal were rescued on the Ark. The BIBLE is a trustworthy record of history!
For more information: CreationFaMin.com

So there you have it. Crazy, eh? This card has brought much enjoyment to our little lab, so I tried to recreate font sizes and colors exactly as they are on the card. What do you think?

2006-03-25T12:04:00.000-07:00

The Awesome and the Frightening~
Oh yeah!
I just ran the Rex Lee Run. Amy, Jon, and I ran it together, and Amy and I got our best times (29 minutes), while Jon wasn't even tired when we finished. I was about to die at the end, and I think Amy was too. Oh well. Now I feel great! I think it's the endorphins kicking in.
That was the awesome.
I just got out of the shower and blew my hair dry. This is where the frightening comes in. I think I used the blow dryer a little too long. My hair is a bush today! It is so huge. I know some people don't have that problem, but those with curly hair will understand. I think I'll just let it finish air drying and then try to pull it back. Sorry for that running commentary on my hair, but I think it's pretty funny.

2006-03-23T21:57:00.000-07:00

Carnival of the Animals, Teen Titans, and typing in bed....
I've got to talk about some things to love. Everyone needs to learn to enjoy the simple things, right? So today I was working on homework and listening to one of my favorite CD's: several works by Saint-Saens. When it came to Carnival of the Animals, it was just so great! I love that piece. And I think you all know which animal is my favorite, (Jon: it should be yours, too) the Elephants!!! They are portrayed by basses!
Also, just a few minutes ago, my roommate called my name and said she had a present for me. It was a Teen Titans bracelet!!! Someone left it as a tip for one of her friends at Brick Oven, and she grabbed it because she knew I liked that show! (Maybe I should be gushing about thoughtful roommates, instead of cartoon shows)
Finally, even though it's not always the most comfortable, isn't it great to be in bed, working on homework or just surfing the net? That's where I am right now, and I am happily reclining against my pillow with my down comforter over me, my Teddy bear under my arm, listening to the swan as I type my blog. I think I will always type my blog right before bed, it's great.
Yay!!! The finale!!! It always makes me think of what happens if you give a yo-yo to a flamingo.

2006-03-23T08:43:00.000-07:00

Paper Work~
So it's weird how everything works together. For instance, yesterday I worked on two papers that were due. One was an article summary for my range management class, the other was an essay for my English class. Somehow they ended up being about the same thing. The article I read was about how we should approach environmental ethics--basically how we should look at the world around us. The essay was on the book Gulliver's Travels, and how Gulliver becomes brainwashed by these horses. I had to tell why he thought the horse-people were superior to humans and whether or not I agreed. I ended up arguing in both that everything has worth, and should be treated in that way. Everything on earth has a spirit and was created by God. Since this is the case, we should be very careful in what we do here on Earth. The same argument (somewhat tweaked) worked very well for the essay, too. In the end Gulliver was sent away from the people with whom he had become enamored because they thought that it was not good for their welfare if he stayed. This was because he was a smart human and might inspire the others to do unpleasant things to the horses. Kinda sad. They couldn't see him for what he was worth.
So...that's about all I have to say. Have a good day all!

2006-03-12T15:30:00.000-07:00

Family
So...the other day I was talking to a friend of mine who said she had not talked to her twin sister in about three weeks. I commented on how that was a long time, considering the fact that they both go to the same school. She said that it wasn't too bad, and that you get sick of your family after a while. All I could think was, "WHAT?!?!!?!?!?!?" I guess I have a high familial tolerance, but I never get sick of my family. Over Christmas I did get sick of not having my own room, but I still would rather have had all the family there than have my own room.
It seems to me that if families are really eternal, which they are, then our families are the people we should never get sick of. That may take some practice, but I think it goes along with the idea that instead of being nicer to strangers, we should be the kindest to our family members. If we are kindest to our family members, we will love them the most. I don't always do a good job with the kindness thing, but the more I see of other families, I realize that ours is really unique in the love and friendship that we share.

2006-03-08T12:25:00.000-07:00

Well all-
This post is for all of my family who think I am behind the times. For anyone else who my stumble across this...here is a small explanation. All but one of my siblings have blogs. They have been urging me to get one, also. I find this a little funny because some of them (Bobby) have not posted since they first signed up. Oh well. I don't really have much to write about. I am in college. My major may bore most people. I feel like all I have to write about is fertilizer (literally- that was my most recent class today).
Soo...since most blogs are opinion pages, here's something I wonder about all the time: What is with "Organic" food? I have taken Organic Chemistry. I know the definition of the word "organic." I think most people do. (For those who don't, "organic" simply refers to any chemical compound that is based around carbon.) All food is organic (with a few exceptions, like hot dogs and twinkies :P). If it weren't, it would not be food. There are some people who think that organic foods that have not been genetically altered or spatially challenged are the way to go. But I say, instead of spending a lot of money on things like organic pears and free range chicken, why don't we spend money on feeding the world. Some people are so worried about what is "Natural," or about animal rights that they forget the natural affections we should have for our own species. Shouldn't our number one priority be to feed the world a balanced diet? If so, we should do everything we can to bring about that goal, and then consider how we can make life more comfortable for the other species living on the planet.
This may seem like I am against anything environmental. On the contrary. I am all about reducing, reusing, and recycling. I just think that we should start out with reducing the number of human deaths due to starvation (as always, we should do it wisely) first. so, what do you say?