The Future Is Now

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

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

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

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

Sorry for my lame joke.