I see by your outfit that you are a cowboy,
Dan
Thursday, August 21, 2008
Chipmunk in Colora'o
I couldn't get close enough to tell whether this is Chip or Dale, but I am sure he's a Rescue Ranger.
I see by your outfit that you are a cowboy,
Dan
I see by your outfit that you are a cowboy,
Dan
Saturday, August 16, 2008
Gas Pump
I didn't know that gas pumps that don't accept debit/credit cards still existed outside antique shops and museums. But they do. I used this one in Rangely, CO.
A Great place to live,
Dan
A Great place to live,Dan
Saturday, August 09, 2008
Dinosaurs
I think it's pretty cool that I get paid to look for fossils. Not many people can say that. To prove that I'm successful in what I do, here are some pictures of some dinosaurs I found in Vernal this past week.
Alice the camel has four humps,
Dan
Alice the camel has four humps,Dan
Friday, August 08, 2008
Farmer's Tans
I get to spend a lot of time outside. Consequently, I have a pretty good farmer's tan. Grace inherited my skin and she tans really well too. Her farmer's tan isn't as clear as mine, but it's still there. 
I had to hold her still so Faith could snap the photo. If you know Grace, she hates being confined in any way.
On the road to nowhere,
Dan
I had to hold her still so Faith could snap the photo. If you know Grace, she hates being confined in any way.On the road to nowhere,
Dan
Wednesday, August 06, 2008
Bug
I was sitting on a monitor the other day when a huge weird bug landed on my shoulder. It had large emerald green eyes and a conical body covered in yellow fuzz. It stayed there long enough for me to take out my camera, turn it on, switch it to the macro setting and turn it off again. I accidentally hit the on/off button instead of the "take a picture" button. I turned it on again, and then just as I was about to take the picture, it flew away. This is what I got instead.
We know where we're going, but we don't know where we've been,
Dan
We know where we're going, but we don't know where we've been,
Dan
Saturday, August 02, 2008
Paleo Survey
A paleontological survey is required for any new construction of roads, well pads, or pipelines. So that's what I do. To do a paleo survey you need a 4WD vehicle. The gas fields are about an hour from Vernal but often you drive two to get to the site for a survey. You keep track of time and miles driven for each job and have to take notes and pictures. You take notes on the legal description (where the project is located and where it goes and stuff), notes on the geology (what rocks and stuff are there), and notes on the paleontology (what fossils are there). The pictures are taken to prove that you were there. First you take a picture of the beginning of the access road.
Then you take a picture of the pipeline tie-in.
Then you take a picture where the access road enters the well pad.
You take a pictures of any fossils you might find. If it's not on Indian reservation land, you can collect anything that might be significant. It will end up in a museum, most likely BYU's Earth Science Museum. 
Finally, you take a picture of the center stake and sign it as further evidence that you were there so you can move onto the next thing.
This is the most basic and common thing I do for work besides monitor construction which is another story. A much longer, more boring, and dangerous one.
He kicked my caboose every which way but loose,
Dan
Then you take a picture of the pipeline tie-in.
Then you take a picture where the access road enters the well pad.
You take a pictures of any fossils you might find. If it's not on Indian reservation land, you can collect anything that might be significant. It will end up in a museum, most likely BYU's Earth Science Museum. 
Finally, you take a picture of the center stake and sign it as further evidence that you were there so you can move onto the next thing.
This is the most basic and common thing I do for work besides monitor construction which is another story. A much longer, more boring, and dangerous one.He kicked my caboose every which way but loose,
Dan
Thursday, July 31, 2008
More Flats
Well, my flat tire woes aren't over yet. Not only did Faith get a flat in the Buick last week, but I got three flats in two days this week.
It all started when I was trying to decide whether to take Argyle Canyon or Gate Canyon back to Vernal from Harmon Canyon. When I thought about taking Argyle Canyon, I got a sick feeling so I decided to take Gate Canyon. It's a good thing I listened to that sick feeling the Spirit was giving me because I got a flat in Gate Canyon. Gate Canyon has a wider and busier road than Argyle Canyon. Not only did I have room to pull over, but I was able to flag down someone to lend a hand when I had trouble. Once I got the lug nuts off, which was a feat in itself because I had to stand on the lug wrench and bounce to loosen the lug nuts (remember I'm not a featherweight so they were really torqued on), the wheel wouldn't budge. I kicked it and banged on the tire with my rock hammer and nothing happened. Anyway, I flagged down an oil field service guy in a pickup and he had a huge rubber mallet. He wailed on the wheel with that thing for about a minute before it started to budge. If I had taken Argyle Canyon, I most likely would have been out of luck in the roadside assistance department. So he helped me finish changing the tire and I was on my way.
Ever since my flat experiences in Wyoming, I've kept two spare tires in my truck just in case so the next day, I decided that I would be safe with just one spare because I didn't have time to get the first flat fixed before I had to return to the field. Turns out the hole in that one was too big to be fixed anyway. So I head out to do some surveys with a co-worker and when we get back into the truck at around 2pm, I notice that my spare (the one I put on the day before) was totally flat. The sidewall had cracked and let all the air out so I knew that one was a goner too. No problem, I still had one more spare left. So I got that sucker on in record time and we were off.
We had one more well pad to survey and then we headed back to Vernal. Again, we had to make a choice. We could have taken Seep Ridge or Glen Bench. We decided to take Seep Ridge because we were closer to pavement that way and had no spares. So as we're driving down Seep Ridge (on pavement) we heard a series of three terrible noises. After each one, we get out and check what's going on.
Terrible Noise #1: The tread on one of my tires begins to split and tear off. We resume course and drive a little slower.
Terrible Noise #2: All of the tread on said tire is stripped off and we're driving on baldness. Since we have no spare, we just slow down and keep on truckin'.
Terrible Noise #3: Amazingly enough, the tread isn't the only thing that wants to come off the tire, a large piece of sidewall decides it would like to stay behind. We keep on keepin' on.
I guess I should clarify. Technically this third tire wasn't a strictly flat per sé, but it was destroyed seeing as how there was zero tread remaining. By God's good grace, we arrive safely in Vernal and go directly to Big-O where they proceed to try and rip me off. (The Vernal Big-O isn't as nice or as competent as the Spanish Fork Big-O.) I had three ruined tires and three good ones. I bought one new one to get me home. My tires need to be balanced and rotated and I need to "borrow" a couple more spares from my Dad and my alignment is out of whack, but I made it home without a spare. I've got 5 more old tires to ruin before I'll feel justified in buying a complete new set. At this rate I should be the proud owner of a new set of tires some time next week.
I believe in a thing called love,
Dan
It all started when I was trying to decide whether to take Argyle Canyon or Gate Canyon back to Vernal from Harmon Canyon. When I thought about taking Argyle Canyon, I got a sick feeling so I decided to take Gate Canyon. It's a good thing I listened to that sick feeling the Spirit was giving me because I got a flat in Gate Canyon. Gate Canyon has a wider and busier road than Argyle Canyon. Not only did I have room to pull over, but I was able to flag down someone to lend a hand when I had trouble. Once I got the lug nuts off, which was a feat in itself because I had to stand on the lug wrench and bounce to loosen the lug nuts (remember I'm not a featherweight so they were really torqued on), the wheel wouldn't budge. I kicked it and banged on the tire with my rock hammer and nothing happened. Anyway, I flagged down an oil field service guy in a pickup and he had a huge rubber mallet. He wailed on the wheel with that thing for about a minute before it started to budge. If I had taken Argyle Canyon, I most likely would have been out of luck in the roadside assistance department. So he helped me finish changing the tire and I was on my way.
Ever since my flat experiences in Wyoming, I've kept two spare tires in my truck just in case so the next day, I decided that I would be safe with just one spare because I didn't have time to get the first flat fixed before I had to return to the field. Turns out the hole in that one was too big to be fixed anyway. So I head out to do some surveys with a co-worker and when we get back into the truck at around 2pm, I notice that my spare (the one I put on the day before) was totally flat. The sidewall had cracked and let all the air out so I knew that one was a goner too. No problem, I still had one more spare left. So I got that sucker on in record time and we were off.
We had one more well pad to survey and then we headed back to Vernal. Again, we had to make a choice. We could have taken Seep Ridge or Glen Bench. We decided to take Seep Ridge because we were closer to pavement that way and had no spares. So as we're driving down Seep Ridge (on pavement) we heard a series of three terrible noises. After each one, we get out and check what's going on.Terrible Noise #1: The tread on one of my tires begins to split and tear off. We resume course and drive a little slower.
Terrible Noise #2: All of the tread on said tire is stripped off and we're driving on baldness. Since we have no spare, we just slow down and keep on truckin'.
Terrible Noise #3: Amazingly enough, the tread isn't the only thing that wants to come off the tire, a large piece of sidewall decides it would like to stay behind. We keep on keepin' on.
I guess I should clarify. Technically this third tire wasn't a strictly flat per sé, but it was destroyed seeing as how there was zero tread remaining. By God's good grace, we arrive safely in Vernal and go directly to Big-O where they proceed to try and rip me off. (The Vernal Big-O isn't as nice or as competent as the Spanish Fork Big-O.) I had three ruined tires and three good ones. I bought one new one to get me home. My tires need to be balanced and rotated and I need to "borrow" a couple more spares from my Dad and my alignment is out of whack, but I made it home without a spare. I've got 5 more old tires to ruin before I'll feel justified in buying a complete new set. At this rate I should be the proud owner of a new set of tires some time next week.
I believe in a thing called love,
Dan
Friday, July 25, 2008
Time Warp Mirror
On Tuesday, I was driving through a narrow canyon to get to a survey location when I looked into some kind of time warp mirror. I was coming around a bend when I saw a 4Runner just like mine except it was clean and the body was in very good condition. I stared at it as we passed and wished mine looked a little more like that. As we neared each other, I looked at the driver. He could have been an older version of myself with graying hair and a mustache. I'm glad I'm not that old yet. I thought, "Wow that must have been some strange time warp mirror because I saw my truck from 15 years ago and myself from 30 years in the future. Weird."
Oh lately it's so quiet,
Dan
Oh lately it's so quiet,
Dan
Saturday, July 19, 2008
Flat
I recently got four flat tires on my 4Runner in the past two weeks. First there was a nail in one tire and I got that fixed. Then about a week later, I found that I had two flats at the same time after driving on poorly maintained dirt/gravel roads for an hour. One was a mystery as to what made it go flat, but the tire was destroyed anyway so I guess it doesn't matter. The other had a nail in it an was down to about 10 psi. So I got those fixed (a story worthy of it's own post). Then a few days later as I was driving home, I heard a terrible clanking noise directly beneath me followed by the dreaded thumping noise made by a flat tire. I pulled over and started checking my tires out but they all looked fine. I heard a loud hissing noise coming from somewhere and finally I noticed a nut sticking out of my right rear tire. Well, it wasn't just a nut. It was this.
One, two, seven, eight, ten,
Dan
One, two, seven, eight, ten,Dan
Thursday, July 17, 2008
Petroglyph
I saw this petroglyph when I was doing some work on the Ute Indian Reservation.
This isn't where the music's at,
Dan
This isn't where the music's at,Dan
Sunday, July 13, 2008
Wyoming
This past week I got to monitor construction in Wyoming. You know how the Utah rectangle has a big chunk taken out of it in the north east corner of the state? Well, that's the part of Wyoming I was in. Anyway, I found two baby birds in the road as it was being built. I moved them out of the way of construction, but still felt bad because I knew they were probably going to die and there wasn't much I could do for them. 
As the day continued, I noticed a very large herd of cattle approaching. It came in two waves. A couple of cows from the first wave are in the foreground and the bulk of the second wave is in the background.
This herd had at least four bulls which made me nervous especially when one stared at me for a solid minute. But they moved on... right across the well pad under construction. 
You can't really tell, but the bulldozer and scraper are still in motion. They didn't really slow down at all for the cows... or the bulls and calves for that matter. To sum up, here's a shot of my manly vehicle with a bull to the left of it. Can't you just see the testosterone oozing out of your computer screen?
My mama said thick or thin,
Dan
As the day continued, I noticed a very large herd of cattle approaching. It came in two waves. A couple of cows from the first wave are in the foreground and the bulk of the second wave is in the background.
This herd had at least four bulls which made me nervous especially when one stared at me for a solid minute. But they moved on... right across the well pad under construction. 
You can't really tell, but the bulldozer and scraper are still in motion. They didn't really slow down at all for the cows... or the bulls and calves for that matter. To sum up, here's a shot of my manly vehicle with a bull to the left of it. Can't you just see the testosterone oozing out of your computer screen?
My mama said thick or thin,
Dan
Friday, July 04, 2008
I'm glad I bought a Toyota
I recently saw these videos on YouTube describing a vehicle similar to the ones my father and I recently purchased. I would embed them, but it's been disabled for these videos. These are the links. All together, they are about 20 minutes long so keep that in mind if you're going to watch them. It's pretty amazing what they do to this vehicle and how it stands up to some pretty serious punishment.
Top Gear: Killing a Toyota Part 1
Top Gear: Killing a Toyota Part 2 (a)
Top Gear: Killing a Toyota Part 2 (b)
The preacher said richer or poorer,
Dan
Top Gear: Killing a Toyota Part 1
Top Gear: Killing a Toyota Part 2 (a)
Top Gear: Killing a Toyota Part 2 (b)
The preacher said richer or poorer,
Dan
Sunday, June 22, 2008
Daddy's Assistant
Grace is so smart. Maybe she'll be a paleontologist like her Dad.
At least she likes video games like her Dad. You can't see it in the photo, but she was matching the cords up correctly.
We're going to Candy Mountain,
Dan
At least she likes video games like her Dad. You can't see it in the photo, but she was matching the cords up correctly.
We're going to Candy Mountain,Dan
Friday, June 20, 2008
Friday, June 13, 2008
Truck Bed B-B-Q
Yesterday I had to go out and monitor pipeline construction at the top of a cliff where there is a high probability of finding vertebrate fossils. Due to the inherent danger of having heavy machinery at the top of a 500 ft. cliff, I had to dress like this.
This is the view from the top, a little above where the actual excavation was taking place. My 4-Runner is the little red speck in the center.
I spent the morning with a group of Mexican laborers watching a couple of track hoes move a lot of dirt and rock. We talked and had a good time. The American higher-ups show up from wherever they were a little before noon and say "Come on Paleo, it's lunch time!" So I climb back down the cliff where they've arranged all the pick-ups with the tail gates down and facing each other. (Incidentally, my 4-Runner was the only vehicle that wasn't a full size pick-up.) A few of the workers were busy grilling up some burgers and onions. They had a full on barbecue going complete with spicy Doritos and baked beans. Sorry I didn't get any photos of it. Life in the oil fields is great.
It's a sentimental lovely day,
Dan
This is the view from the top, a little above where the actual excavation was taking place. My 4-Runner is the little red speck in the center.
I spent the morning with a group of Mexican laborers watching a couple of track hoes move a lot of dirt and rock. We talked and had a good time. The American higher-ups show up from wherever they were a little before noon and say "Come on Paleo, it's lunch time!" So I climb back down the cliff where they've arranged all the pick-ups with the tail gates down and facing each other. (Incidentally, my 4-Runner was the only vehicle that wasn't a full size pick-up.) A few of the workers were busy grilling up some burgers and onions. They had a full on barbecue going complete with spicy Doritos and baked beans. Sorry I didn't get any photos of it. Life in the oil fields is great.
It's a sentimental lovely day,
Dan
Friday, June 06, 2008
Sunday, June 01, 2008
My Office
This is where I work.
Flower Arrangement
Paper Weight
My Cubicle
Larry and Ed
Doris
Where the horse and the antelope play,
Dan
Sunday, May 04, 2008
Irony on the Job
A conversation that may or may not have taken place while sitting in the company truck.
Scott: You know what drives me crazy about this job?
Darrin: No, what?
Scott: Well, when I'm done working, I don't want to think about fossils anymore.
Darrin: Why do you say that?
Scott: Last night, when I was eating dinner with Alvin and Theodore, all they could talk about was all the fossils they had found. And all I wanted to do was watch the hockey game. There comes a point when it's too much.
Darrin: Yeah, I know what you mean. When I'm done looking for fossils, I don't keep on thinking about fossils. I have other interests and other things to occupy my time. Fossils aren't my life.
Scott: Yeah, they don't define who I am.
Then they looked in the truck tape player and found this:
What's the soundtrack of your life?
Dan
Scott: You know what drives me crazy about this job?
Darrin: No, what?
Scott: Well, when I'm done working, I don't want to think about fossils anymore.
Darrin: Why do you say that?
Scott: Last night, when I was eating dinner with Alvin and Theodore, all they could talk about was all the fossils they had found. And all I wanted to do was watch the hockey game. There comes a point when it's too much.
Darrin: Yeah, I know what you mean. When I'm done looking for fossils, I don't keep on thinking about fossils. I have other interests and other things to occupy my time. Fossils aren't my life.
Scott: Yeah, they don't define who I am.
Then they looked in the truck tape player and found this:
What's the soundtrack of your life?
Dan
Saturday, April 12, 2008
More Notes
The F-Word
Why did you say the F-word? I thought you were my friend. None of my friends say the F-word. When I asked you about it before, you were like "I always say the F-word. F. F. F. It's not a big deal. Everybody says it. Why don't you?" I don't want to say it because then I can't go to the celestial kingdom.
Birthday Parties
I'm not inviting you to my birthday party.
That's OK, I'm not inviting you to my birthday party either.
There are gonna be a lot of people there who hate you and you hate them too.
Ya. I can only invite like 12 people and I have to invite my cousins. What kind of party are you gonna have?
It's gonna be a dance party. Mario is gonna be there. I hope he takes his shirt off again like he did in English!
Ya!!! He is so hot. Did you see his abs?
Ya!!! :-)
Too bad you can't come to my party because my older cousin Frank is gonna be there. He's so hot!
Ya!! What does he look like?
He's tall and handsome. He has dark hair and dark eyes. He's good at sports and is strong and has abs. And he's 12 years old.
I'll have to meet him some other time. You should set us up!! :-)
Ya!!! :-)
To the best of my recollection, these are accurate reproductions of real notes I found.
Through the fire and flames,
Dan
Why did you say the F-word? I thought you were my friend. None of my friends say the F-word. When I asked you about it before, you were like "I always say the F-word. F. F. F. It's not a big deal. Everybody says it. Why don't you?" I don't want to say it because then I can't go to the celestial kingdom.
Birthday Parties
I'm not inviting you to my birthday party.
That's OK, I'm not inviting you to my birthday party either.
There are gonna be a lot of people there who hate you and you hate them too.
Ya. I can only invite like 12 people and I have to invite my cousins. What kind of party are you gonna have?
It's gonna be a dance party. Mario is gonna be there. I hope he takes his shirt off again like he did in English!
Ya!!! He is so hot. Did you see his abs?
Ya!!! :-)
Too bad you can't come to my party because my older cousin Frank is gonna be there. He's so hot!
Ya!! What does he look like?
He's tall and handsome. He has dark hair and dark eyes. He's good at sports and is strong and has abs. And he's 12 years old.
I'll have to meet him some other time. You should set us up!! :-)
Ya!!! :-)
To the best of my recollection, these are accurate reproductions of real notes I found.
Through the fire and flames,
Dan
Thursday, April 03, 2008
This is 100% Real
Hey do you think he would say yes if I asked him out.
Uh ya! If he danced w/ u he would! :)
Should I then?
Heck ya!!! lol im hyper!
Me too! (o's in 'too' turned into a google-eyed smiley)
k good! lol wow that was great! He is so wierd! :) ... but entertaining!
Ya! but do I just go up and ask him?? like in English.
idk! Do what you want! sure...
cause it seems like they say no when ur friends ask right!
sometimes. My friends asked Cooper 4 me! But I didn't even know they were!
Ya but that's different ----> (arrow indicates the note continues on opposite side of paper)
idk I think I'll ask him myself
ok! HaHa! Wait. Matt Stevens? Is that who it is? sorry.
Yes is that weird?
No why would it be?
IDK Wyatt kina freaks m out! Yikes
Haha ya! Me too!!!
Is passing a note to Matt Retarded or not?!!
I had fun tracking this one down. The trick is in the timing. You have to let the note get passed enough times to become interesting otherwise it's just a strangely folded piece of paper with one line on it.
Names have not been changed to protect the innocent,
Dan
Uh ya! If he danced w/ u he would! :)
Should I then?
Heck ya!!! lol im hyper!
Me too! (o's in 'too' turned into a google-eyed smiley)
k good! lol wow that was great! He is so wierd! :) ... but entertaining!
Ya! but do I just go up and ask him?? like in English.
idk! Do what you want! sure...
cause it seems like they say no when ur friends ask right!
sometimes. My friends asked Cooper 4 me! But I didn't even know they were!
Ya but that's different ----> (arrow indicates the note continues on opposite side of paper)
idk I think I'll ask him myself
ok! HaHa! Wait. Matt Stevens? Is that who it is? sorry.
Yes is that weird?
No why would it be?
IDK Wyatt kina freaks m out! Yikes
Haha ya! Me too!!!
Is passing a note to Matt Retarded or not?!!
I had fun tracking this one down. The trick is in the timing. You have to let the note get passed enough times to become interesting otherwise it's just a strangely folded piece of paper with one line on it.
Names have not been changed to protect the innocent,
Dan
Sunday, March 16, 2008
She Looks Just Like You
I keep hearing that phrase when people are talking about my daughter, Grace. I'd really rather hear them say "You look just like her." Or better yet, "She looks just like Faith."
Anyway, you decide.
I'm surprised that you've never been told before,
Dan
Anyway, you decide.
I'm surprised that you've never been told before,
Dan
Thursday, March 13, 2008
The Power Struggle
The scene opens with loud talking in the back of the classroom while a video is being shown. The handsome dashing protagonist Mr. Burk Substitute Teacher Extraordinaire approaches the offending students.
Mr. Burk: Please keep it quiet. Thank You.
Students are quiet for about 3 seconds (as long as it takes for Mr. Burk to retreat a few steps). Several minutes later, Mr. Burk returns to the area.
Mr. Burk: Some students are trying to pay attention to the video. You're going to have to go back to your assigned seats if I have to come over here again.
Students are quiet for about 3 seconds (as long as it takes for Mr. Burk to retreat a few steps). Several minutes later, Mr. Burk returns to the area again.
Mr. Burk: Okay, it's time to go back to your assigned seats.
Student 1: (in a whiny voice) Why?
Mr. Burk: Because you are being disruptive and disrespectful.
Student 2: Just give us one more chance.
Mr. Burk: I've already given you two chances. You knew what would happen.
Student 1: Dude, we weren't doing anything.
Mr. Burk: My name is Mr. Burk, not "Dude". Go back to your seat.
Student 2: Someone is sitting in it.
Mr. Burk: Then you can sit there. (gestures to an empty seat near the teacher's desk)
Student 2: Why can't I just sit here?
Mr. Burk starts to get tired of this exchange and begins to get a headache. The bell rings, saving him from further grief.
A scene very similar to this happened today. I actually gave them three chances. Anyway, I realized that going through a power struggle like this is completely hopeless. Being a substitute teacher you really have very little authority in the classroom. You’re unfamiliar with the discipline procedures of the classroom and the school and the kids know they’re never gonna have to see you again once the 45 minute period is over. I realized today that instead of uselessly wrestling wills with these precious ones, I can just write their names down on a note to the teacher and let them deal with it.
Fish heads, fish heads, yummy yummy fish heads,
Dan
Wednesday, March 12, 2008
Management
Substituting these past few months has been an incredible learning experience. It's helped me formulate my own ideas about how I want my classroom to be. I learned one lesson last week that I'll never forget.
On Thursday, I was in a 9th grade Earth Science class. The kids were arguably the most rowdy I'd ever seen. They threw crumpled up paper balls and pencils at each other. They talked loudly and called each other names. But it wasn't just that, they were vulgar and disrespectful as well. It was all I could do to quell the worst behavior and maintain some semblance of order. After it was all over, I came home with a bad headache that wouldn't go away. I was thinking, if this is what being a teacher is going to be like, then I should find something else to do quick.
The next day, Friday, I was in a 9th grade English class. Something I had never seen happened before. The first period class came in silently, sat down and began their routine work. All throughout the class there wasn't a peep. If one of them had to ask me a question, they came up to me and whispered. When the bell rang, they all filed out without saying a word. I was almost in shock. From the rest of the classes that came and went during the day I learned that this teacher had a reputation for being the meanest and grumpiest teacher in school. He didn't put up with anything and he followed through with consequences. I figured that he wasn't really mean in real life but had to keep order in his class. Otherwise, he'd have the same incredible headache every day that I had on Thursday.
I learned that I want to have order in my class and in order to do so, I'll have to be very clear about what behavior I expect from students and follow through with consequences. Otherwise, I'll hate my job and I won't last long. I'm glad I'm learning these types of things now. Each day is a new adventure where I get to learn and plan how I want my own classroom to be. I know I'm gonna have a lot of surprises when I do become a full-fledged teacher but hopefully I'll be able to cope with them better because of my substituting experience.
I liked it better my way in my world of fantasy,
Dan
On Thursday, I was in a 9th grade Earth Science class. The kids were arguably the most rowdy I'd ever seen. They threw crumpled up paper balls and pencils at each other. They talked loudly and called each other names. But it wasn't just that, they were vulgar and disrespectful as well. It was all I could do to quell the worst behavior and maintain some semblance of order. After it was all over, I came home with a bad headache that wouldn't go away. I was thinking, if this is what being a teacher is going to be like, then I should find something else to do quick.
The next day, Friday, I was in a 9th grade English class. Something I had never seen happened before. The first period class came in silently, sat down and began their routine work. All throughout the class there wasn't a peep. If one of them had to ask me a question, they came up to me and whispered. When the bell rang, they all filed out without saying a word. I was almost in shock. From the rest of the classes that came and went during the day I learned that this teacher had a reputation for being the meanest and grumpiest teacher in school. He didn't put up with anything and he followed through with consequences. I figured that he wasn't really mean in real life but had to keep order in his class. Otherwise, he'd have the same incredible headache every day that I had on Thursday.
I learned that I want to have order in my class and in order to do so, I'll have to be very clear about what behavior I expect from students and follow through with consequences. Otherwise, I'll hate my job and I won't last long. I'm glad I'm learning these types of things now. Each day is a new adventure where I get to learn and plan how I want my own classroom to be. I know I'm gonna have a lot of surprises when I do become a full-fledged teacher but hopefully I'll be able to cope with them better because of my substituting experience.
I liked it better my way in my world of fantasy,
Dan
Tuesday, March 04, 2008
Useless
This is the original post.
Since becoming a father, I've discovered that one of the most useless inventions ever is little tiny baby socks. At first, when you think about it, it makes sense. Babies have a hard time regulating their body temperature and little tiny socks would help keep those little tiny feet warm. Great idea, let's start production now! But the truth of the matter is, that they don't stay on worth beans. Babies are always wiggling. They stick their little legs out and then pull them back in like a frog. Stick legs out, pull legs back in. Out, in. If you do this enough times in a short period, the socks have worked their way off. Every time you turn around, the baby's feet are bare again. It's much easier to just put them in little pajama suits that have the feet built in. Then you don't have to be replacing socks every five minutes.
Because I'm cool,
Dan
Since becoming a father, I've discovered that one of the most useless inventions ever is little tiny baby socks. At first, when you think about it, it makes sense. Babies have a hard time regulating their body temperature and little tiny socks would help keep those little tiny feet warm. Great idea, let's start production now! But the truth of the matter is, that they don't stay on worth beans. Babies are always wiggling. They stick their little legs out and then pull them back in like a frog. Stick legs out, pull legs back in. Out, in. If you do this enough times in a short period, the socks have worked their way off. Every time you turn around, the baby's feet are bare again. It's much easier to just put them in little pajama suits that have the feet built in. Then you don't have to be replacing socks every five minutes.
Because I'm cool,
Dan
Friday, February 29, 2008
Translation Experiment
I decided to make this post an experiment. I wrote a regular blog rant and then proceeded to use various online translators to see what would happen. This is what happened to the post.
English to Spanish (Babel Fish)
Spanish to English (Dictionary.com)
English to Japanese (Wordlingo)
Japanese to English (Free Translation)
English to Japanese (Google Translate)
Japanese to English (Bable Fish)
English to Dutch (Dictionary.com)
Dutch to English (Free Translation)
This is the final product.
"The subject is not" as for me flaw at the father that, that that unnecessary is, uselessness that, very small small sock/is the baby always invents. When she thinks, begins that/, /with in the meaning that you at that say. It is the small sock between which for a time, enthousiastic/the babies the hot feet that at that very small maintenance useful are you small very small at the temperature control of your own body be. Thought that it done became well round, is permitted, now beginning our production! Only as for truth, is /there no problem in becomes limits, comes valuable be of/that bean. /Always the baby trembles. You can the small foot install, throw you with outside as that centers, /after the frog. He with its own foot, at that foot the throwing outside to connect. "There are is done is no subject" with what country house center. If the meat processes it, this, sufficient time/the work short term, the sock slow method is. The baby of the foot again, when on round it just which moments the doing of that, /is the return with nude. That with simple thing, with passing play the foot that the pajamas equipped was geassembleerd in the middle of on the thing that immediately essentially are taken up. That the 5 minutes makes, has have been exchanged it the sock when needlessly the. Because of newly me feature on
Can you guess what the original post was about? I'll post the original English text in a few days.
Dan
English to Spanish (Babel Fish)
Spanish to English (Dictionary.com)
English to Japanese (Wordlingo)
Japanese to English (Free Translation)
English to Japanese (Google Translate)
Japanese to English (Bable Fish)
English to Dutch (Dictionary.com)
Dutch to English (Free Translation)
This is the final product.
"The subject is not" as for me flaw at the father that, that that unnecessary is, uselessness that, very small small sock/is the baby always invents. When she thinks, begins that/, /with in the meaning that you at that say. It is the small sock between which for a time, enthousiastic/the babies the hot feet that at that very small maintenance useful are you small very small at the temperature control of your own body be. Thought that it done became well round, is permitted, now beginning our production! Only as for truth, is /there no problem in becomes limits, comes valuable be of/that bean. /Always the baby trembles. You can the small foot install, throw you with outside as that centers, /after the frog. He with its own foot, at that foot the throwing outside to connect. "There are is done is no subject" with what country house center. If the meat processes it, this, sufficient time/the work short term, the sock slow method is. The baby of the foot again, when on round it just which moments the doing of that, /is the return with nude. That with simple thing, with passing play the foot that the pajamas equipped was geassembleerd in the middle of on the thing that immediately essentially are taken up. That the 5 minutes makes, has have been exchanged it the sock when needlessly the. Because of newly me feature on
Can you guess what the original post was about? I'll post the original English text in a few days.
Dan
Thursday, February 14, 2008
Rootin' Tootin' Substitutin'
I finally graduated from college in December. Probably the best thing about it is that I don't have any homework. When i get home, I'm free to live my life and do things that really need to be done, like spending time with my girls or watching Star Trek: Voyager. Anyway, a byproduct of all this is that I have to get a real job. Since I finally realized that I want to be a teacher, but I have no teaching license or money to go back to school and get one, I decided to become a substitute teacher.
Now you probably all remember the days when you knew you could goof off and get away with more because your regular teacher was gone. Well, those days haven't changed. Kids still do it. But I still enjoy it. Though I'll admit, it's kind of scary going into a classroom and having no idea what you're up against. Each class has it's own personality and some of them aren't that easy to get along with, but for the most part, kids are good.
I only substitute for Junior High and High Schools though. I know I wouldn't be able to handle the really little kids. Junior High kids are young enough and they act younger than they look. I've been lucky enough to get most of my jobs in the high school nearest my home and in subjects that I know something about Math and Science. But besides those, I've also had the opportunity to substitute for classes in Photography, English, Distance Learning, Computers, and -get this- Girls PE. That one was thrust upon me like an apple pie on Tuesday... or something like that. Anyway, I've also got a job lined up to sub in a Spanish class a couple of weeks from now. I'm really looking forward to that one.
Surprisingly, the classes I've enjoyed the most are the Math classes. I haven't really enjoyed Math since 7th grade but I've taken a bunch of Math since then and amazingly I can remember a lot of it, or at least re-learn it fast enough to help the kids. The best part about it is that the kids actually like me because for once they have a substitute who can help them with their Math. I guess struggling through years of Math has been beneficial because I can relate to these kids who are going through much the same stuff that I did.
Open up your head hole Slappy, and listen while I testify,
Dan
Now you probably all remember the days when you knew you could goof off and get away with more because your regular teacher was gone. Well, those days haven't changed. Kids still do it. But I still enjoy it. Though I'll admit, it's kind of scary going into a classroom and having no idea what you're up against. Each class has it's own personality and some of them aren't that easy to get along with, but for the most part, kids are good.
I only substitute for Junior High and High Schools though. I know I wouldn't be able to handle the really little kids. Junior High kids are young enough and they act younger than they look. I've been lucky enough to get most of my jobs in the high school nearest my home and in subjects that I know something about Math and Science. But besides those, I've also had the opportunity to substitute for classes in Photography, English, Distance Learning, Computers, and -get this- Girls PE. That one was thrust upon me like an apple pie on Tuesday... or something like that. Anyway, I've also got a job lined up to sub in a Spanish class a couple of weeks from now. I'm really looking forward to that one.
Surprisingly, the classes I've enjoyed the most are the Math classes. I haven't really enjoyed Math since 7th grade but I've taken a bunch of Math since then and amazingly I can remember a lot of it, or at least re-learn it fast enough to help the kids. The best part about it is that the kids actually like me because for once they have a substitute who can help them with their Math. I guess struggling through years of Math has been beneficial because I can relate to these kids who are going through much the same stuff that I did.
Open up your head hole Slappy, and listen while I testify,
Dan
Wednesday, December 19, 2007
Improv Everywhere
Improv Everywhere is an amazing comedy troupe in New York City. I just found them the other day through a link at a webcomic I read. The videos and Agent Reports keep me laughing pretty much constantly. If you decide to visit, know that it takes some time, but it is well worth the entertainment.
I wish there was something like this here. If there was, I would totally participate.
Cheerios, the Crunch, and the Crunch Town Flakies,
Dan
I wish there was something like this here. If there was, I would totally participate.
Cheerios, the Crunch, and the Crunch Town Flakies,
Dan
Monday, December 10, 2007
Things I couldn't say
This is the post where I get to say all of the things I couldn't say for one reason or another. Here goes:
***Removed because it should be. Sorry if I offended you.***
I think that about covers it for now.
Come on Eileen tu lu ra yay,
Dan
***Removed because it should be. Sorry if I offended you.***
I think that about covers it for now.
Come on Eileen tu lu ra yay,
Dan
Friday, December 07, 2007
One Semester of Spanish Spanish Love Song
This is for everyone who's ever taken a Spanish class in a predominantly English environment.
Eleven = Once,
Dan
Eleven = Once,
Dan
Thursday, November 01, 2007
Gorilla Hero
I read a lot of webcomics to make my day at school a little brighter. Let me rephrase, I read too many webcomics to make my day at school brighter. But anyway, I found this little gem in the author's message attached to a comic strip. The author/artist of the comic is the one on the left. If you like Guitar Hero and/or Freezepop, you'll enjoy this. Let me rephrase, you'll enjoy this.
I don't know why, but watching people in gorilla suits is really funny to me. If you look for it, Harry Nilsson also did a music video a really long time ago with people in gorilla suits. If whoever invented the gorilla suit ran for president, he/she would have my vote.
You put the lime in the coconut,
Dan
I don't know why, but watching people in gorilla suits is really funny to me. If you look for it, Harry Nilsson also did a music video a really long time ago with people in gorilla suits. If whoever invented the gorilla suit ran for president, he/she would have my vote.
You put the lime in the coconut,
Dan
Saturday, October 27, 2007
Rube Goldberg
I know I've just been embedding video into my posts lately. But I told you I'd be posting stuff about my new favorite things. Since I've been wasting a lot of my free time by watching stuff on YouTube and Google Video, my new favorite things come from there. I've only got one or two more videos that I want to showcase, and then I'll talk about different things.
I'm not sure exactly how I found this one, but I love it. I have no idea what they're saying, but I don't care. The sophisticated contraptions they make just mesmerize me. Plus, I think the music is great, perfect for the video.
Ita cora sui chi?
Dan
P.S. Thanks to my oldest sister's blog, I found out what they're saying. It's "Pitagora Suicchi". Translated into English, it means Pythagoras Switch. Now go here. You won't regret it.
I'm not sure exactly how I found this one, but I love it. I have no idea what they're saying, but I don't care. The sophisticated contraptions they make just mesmerize me. Plus, I think the music is great, perfect for the video.
Ita cora sui chi?
Dan
P.S. Thanks to my oldest sister's blog, I found out what they're saying. It's "Pitagora Suicchi". Translated into English, it means Pythagoras Switch. Now go here. You won't regret it.
Friday, October 26, 2007
Tetris
Twenty two years ago something was created in Russia that has changed the world. Alexey Pajitnov (probably through divine inspiration) invented Tetris, the puzzle game that everyone loves. Like other classic video games, Tetris has infiltrated modern pop culture. We've got Tetris Halloween costumes and Tetris techno music but the thing that takes the cake is Human Tetris. Somebody in Japan is a genius.
I think it's high time we got this going in the US.
Cherish is the word I use to describe you,
Dan
I think it's high time we got this going in the US.
Cherish is the word I use to describe you,
Dan
Tuesday, October 23, 2007
It's bad to laugh when other people get hurt. But it's really hard not to.
I never get tired of this video.
Monday, October 22, 2007
Long Time Gone
I know it's been a super long time since I've posted and I feel bad. It's not like anybody reads my blog anyway. I just thought I'd start to post stuff about my new favorite things. Here's the first.
I think almost everybody remembers playing with a Lite-Brite when they were a kid. It was so much fun making things and then lighting them up in a dark room. Anyway, somebody did some stop motion animation using a Lite-Brite. My brother-in-law showed me this one. I like some techno music so I don't agree with the chorus of this song, but I love the music and the video. Check it out.
I think almost everybody remembers playing with a Lite-Brite when they were a kid. It was so much fun making things and then lighting them up in a dark room. Anyway, somebody did some stop motion animation using a Lite-Brite. My brother-in-law showed me this one. I like some techno music so I don't agree with the chorus of this song, but I love the music and the video. Check it out.
Wednesday, February 21, 2007
Hooray for Chemistry!
Not ten minutes ago, I was sitting in my Chemistry class waiting for it to start. The professor, Dr. Brown, hadn't shown up yet and people were talking. A lady came in and shushed everyone. Amazingly, all immediately went quiet. She announced "Dr. Brown has been detained. As a result, class has been cancelled." Almost before she finished, a loud cheer went out, people stood up, people raised their arms in the air in acts of praise, people clapped. "Yay!"
All I could do was laugh because I expected more a more restrained exuberance. It made me feel a lot better that I'm not alone in my dislike of that class.
Three cheers for Dr. Brown,
Dan
All I could do was laugh because I expected more a more restrained exuberance. It made me feel a lot better that I'm not alone in my dislike of that class.Three cheers for Dr. Brown,
Dan
Thursday, February 15, 2007
"Is it Bernard?"
Have you ever been mistaken for someone else? Maybe it happens to other people more often, but it's never happened to me before, until yesterday.
So I was walking from my Folklore class to my Chemistry class and as I rounded a corner, this guy looks at me, stops, and says "Is it Bernard?" Realizing that he's talking to me, I stop and look at him. Then he repeats the question "Is it Bernard?" I give him a confused look wondering what he's talking about when I realize he's asking if I'm Bernard. I slowly say "No, it's Dan." But he just keeps on looking at me like he's still half-expecting to have a conversation with me as I turn and walk away.
I thought to myself, why would he think I looked like Bernard? Was I making some sort of strange expression with my face? Did my hair look like Bernards from being mashed down by my beanie? Was it the fact that I hadn't shaved for 4 days? Was it the way members of some secret organization identify each other? Or do I just amazingly resemble Bernard? I began to wonder myself if it wasn't really Bernard after all, but as I rounded the next corner, I recieved a friendly slap on the shoulder from a mission buddy who let me know that I really am who I think I am and not Bernard.
Bernardly,
Dan
P.S. I thought of some other closing lines like 'Bernarderiffic', 'Bernardtastic', 'Bernardfully', and 'With warm Bernards'.
So I was walking from my Folklore class to my Chemistry class and as I rounded a corner, this guy looks at me, stops, and says "Is it Bernard?" Realizing that he's talking to me, I stop and look at him. Then he repeats the question "Is it Bernard?" I give him a confused look wondering what he's talking about when I realize he's asking if I'm Bernard. I slowly say "No, it's Dan." But he just keeps on looking at me like he's still half-expecting to have a conversation with me as I turn and walk away.
I thought to myself, why would he think I looked like Bernard? Was I making some sort of strange expression with my face? Did my hair look like Bernards from being mashed down by my beanie? Was it the fact that I hadn't shaved for 4 days? Was it the way members of some secret organization identify each other? Or do I just amazingly resemble Bernard? I began to wonder myself if it wasn't really Bernard after all, but as I rounded the next corner, I recieved a friendly slap on the shoulder from a mission buddy who let me know that I really am who I think I am and not Bernard.
Bernardly,
Dan
P.S. I thought of some other closing lines like 'Bernarderiffic', 'Bernardtastic', 'Bernardfully', and 'With warm Bernards'.
Thursday, February 08, 2007
New Direction
Since my Geology 230 class is over and I've secured a grade I like, there won't be anymore assigned topics or questions given to me.
So, I've decided that this blog will take things in a new direction. I'll periodically be posting interesting or funny things or maybe just some random babblings or whatever happens to pop into my head at the time.
So things will be going in a new direction, one which looks pretty much exactly like the old direction.
Burninating the countryside,
Dan
Tuesday, February 06, 2007
Time Waster
I have an excuse for the extended hiatus. I've been extremely lazy when I haven't been extremely busy. So as promised, I will reveal the "most random thing [I was] doing during class time instead of listening to [Kirsten's] lesson." Now that grades for last semester have been submitted, I can reveal that without risking a hit to my GPA. (Even though I know that Kirsten doesn't always pay attention in her classes either.)
A long time devotee of video games, I delight in the subtle tricks and strategies which when employed will allow me to gain an advantage over my opponent’s intelligence both artificial and human. Some time last semester, my brother-in-law introduced me to an online video game that promises both fast gameplay and maximum fun. I introduce you to Chaos Faction! I must confess that I spent at least part of one class period playing this little delight. If you chose to follow the link and sacrifice some time, you'll understand what I'm talking about. My favorite character to be is Merilli. He's got Gorilli's body and hands with Mechalo's eyes, and Cowboy's feet. I have the best mojo with him.
I know that playing video games during class isn't really a "random" thing to do, but by far this was the most interesting and entertaining thing I did during class ... besides participate and learn of course.
Can't kick the habit,
Dan
Saturday, December 23, 2006
Pencil
I have to preface this post with a comment about my writing utensils. I usually find pens and pencils around the house, under the seats of the car, abandoned on desks at school, and places like that. So the quality of my writing utensil is always a little questionable.
A few weeks ago, I was taking Hydrogeology test. I was a little nervous, because that's the class that I seem to have left by the wayside this semester. But I was confident in the quality of my mechanical pencil which had served me without fail for at least a week. Since the quality of your writing utensil can spell the success or doom of your testing endeavors, I felt pretty good about things.
As I pulled my pencil out of my pocket my eyes widened because I noticed that the plastic tip had bent over to one side. I bent it back foolishly thinking it would right itself, but the entire tip broke off in my hand. D'oh! I quickly assured myself there was nothing to worry about, I would just write with the lead sticking out of the pencil, it still pumped and worked otherwise, no worries.
Well, I don't know if you've ever tried to write with a mechanical pencil with an inch and a half of the lead sticking out the end. It tends to break with the slightest bit of pressure. After four or five times of this, I almost panicked. The test had already started and all I could hear was the scratching of pencils on dry paper and labored breathing (probably mine). I didn't want to disturb anyone to borrow a pencil, and I knew I couldn't use a pen because of the math involved and I knew I'd make a mistake that I'd need to correct.
I took a few deep breaths to calm my nerves. With bitter resolve I told myself that no blasted writing utensil would get in the way of my success. So with my options severely limited, I bravely pinched a short piece of mechanical pencil lead between my index finger and thumb and rocked that test.
For good or for awesome,
Dan
A few weeks ago, I was taking Hydrogeology test. I was a little nervous, because that's the class that I seem to have left by the wayside this semester. But I was confident in the quality of my mechanical pencil which had served me without fail for at least a week. Since the quality of your writing utensil can spell the success or doom of your testing endeavors, I felt pretty good about things.
As I pulled my pencil out of my pocket my eyes widened because I noticed that the plastic tip had bent over to one side. I bent it back foolishly thinking it would right itself, but the entire tip broke off in my hand. D'oh! I quickly assured myself there was nothing to worry about, I would just write with the lead sticking out of the pencil, it still pumped and worked otherwise, no worries.
Well, I don't know if you've ever tried to write with a mechanical pencil with an inch and a half of the lead sticking out the end. It tends to break with the slightest bit of pressure. After four or five times of this, I almost panicked. The test had already started and all I could hear was the scratching of pencils on dry paper and labored breathing (probably mine). I didn't want to disturb anyone to borrow a pencil, and I knew I couldn't use a pen because of the math involved and I knew I'd make a mistake that I'd need to correct.
I took a few deep breaths to calm my nerves. With bitter resolve I told myself that no blasted writing utensil would get in the way of my success. So with my options severely limited, I bravely pinched a short piece of mechanical pencil lead between my index finger and thumb and rocked that test.
For good or for awesome,
Dan
Thursday, December 14, 2006
Christmas Traditions
Lucky me! I get to chose between two blog topics. Family Christmas traditions or "What was the most random thing you were doing during class time instead of listening to [Kirsten's] lesson?" I think I'll hold off on that second one until after grades are submitted. :->
When I was a kid, we always woke up early to look at our presents and stuff. As a rule, we could rummage through our stockings and open our "Santa" present. The Santa present usually wasn't fully wrapped either. Maybe just a bow and tag or something simple. We always ate coffee cake (sans coffee of course) for breakfast and had to wait for the whole family to gather in order to open our presents. Boy was it an ordeal. There was no wild ravaging of wrapping paper or anything. We each waited and watched and commented as each person opened one present from oldest to youngest. We went round and round until there were no presents left. But I enjoyed and savored every minute of it.
One tradition that I'm sad I can't follow every year any more is going to the beach every Christmas day. I grew up in Puerto Rico and beaches were plentiful and beautiful even in December. That's probably the thing I miss the most about living there, beaches.
In our stockings, we would always get a new toothbrush and a LifeSavers storybook. In the days and weeks preceeding Christmas, my Mom would cook Party Press Cookies and Chex Party Mix. I'm sure she cooked other yummies, but I can't think of what they were just now. One treat I had as a missionary was that my Mom would send me some of this stuff. Boy was I in heaven.
We would also often go caroling, but caroling in Puerto Rico is a little different. It's called a parranda and it's more of a party. You go over someone's house, sing to them, invite yourself in, and eat all their Christmas type food. Then you take the people from that house, visit someone else and repeat the process. The carols aren't really what most people think of as carols either. They've generally got much more beat and rythym than traditional carols. We usually just sang and brought our own treats to share, making it a combination of the two caroloing breeds.
My Puerto Rican Grandmother would always cook a heavenly meal and we'd eat it in the late afternoon. She'd prepare arroz con gandules (rice and pigeon peas), lechon or pernil (roast pork), pasteles (Puerto Rican version of tamales), and a garden salad. My mom would always furnish the flan. Man, I haven't had a better flan anywhere. Everytime I eat a flan (even a not so good one) I'm transported back to my Grandmother's kitchen (even though my Mom was the one who cooked it) because we always had it there on Christmas.
My wife and I are about to celebrate our second Christmas together (the first with any kids). So we're trying to figure out what our own traditions are going to be. We don't have much, but we've decided we're gonna open up one present each on Christmas Eve. I'm looking forward to that one. I don't know if this is gonna be permanent, but we each have our own wishlists on Amazon and we've secretly bought stuff for each other from our wishlists.
I'm excited that Christmas is coming so close. It's gonna be a lot of fun.
Freedom has a scent like a newborn baby's head,
Dan
When I was a kid, we always woke up early to look at our presents and stuff. As a rule, we could rummage through our stockings and open our "Santa" present. The Santa present usually wasn't fully wrapped either. Maybe just a bow and tag or something simple. We always ate coffee cake (sans coffee of course) for breakfast and had to wait for the whole family to gather in order to open our presents. Boy was it an ordeal. There was no wild ravaging of wrapping paper or anything. We each waited and watched and commented as each person opened one present from oldest to youngest. We went round and round until there were no presents left. But I enjoyed and savored every minute of it.
One tradition that I'm sad I can't follow every year any more is going to the beach every Christmas day. I grew up in Puerto Rico and beaches were plentiful and beautiful even in December. That's probably the thing I miss the most about living there, beaches.
In our stockings, we would always get a new toothbrush and a LifeSavers storybook. In the days and weeks preceeding Christmas, my Mom would cook Party Press Cookies and Chex Party Mix. I'm sure she cooked other yummies, but I can't think of what they were just now. One treat I had as a missionary was that my Mom would send me some of this stuff. Boy was I in heaven.
We would also often go caroling, but caroling in Puerto Rico is a little different. It's called a parranda and it's more of a party. You go over someone's house, sing to them, invite yourself in, and eat all their Christmas type food. Then you take the people from that house, visit someone else and repeat the process. The carols aren't really what most people think of as carols either. They've generally got much more beat and rythym than traditional carols. We usually just sang and brought our own treats to share, making it a combination of the two caroloing breeds.
My Puerto Rican Grandmother would always cook a heavenly meal and we'd eat it in the late afternoon. She'd prepare arroz con gandules (rice and pigeon peas), lechon or pernil (roast pork), pasteles (Puerto Rican version of tamales), and a garden salad. My mom would always furnish the flan. Man, I haven't had a better flan anywhere. Everytime I eat a flan (even a not so good one) I'm transported back to my Grandmother's kitchen (even though my Mom was the one who cooked it) because we always had it there on Christmas.
My wife and I are about to celebrate our second Christmas together (the first with any kids). So we're trying to figure out what our own traditions are going to be. We don't have much, but we've decided we're gonna open up one present each on Christmas Eve. I'm looking forward to that one. I don't know if this is gonna be permanent, but we each have our own wishlists on Amazon and we've secretly bought stuff for each other from our wishlists.
I'm excited that Christmas is coming so close. It's gonna be a lot of fun.
Freedom has a scent like a newborn baby's head,
Dan
Monday, December 11, 2006
Least Favorite Non-Geology Class
The least favorite class I've taken at BYU is a topic of current debate. I didn't enjoy Physics 121 or Computer Science 142. Zoology 101 and 102 are vague memories because I've mostly blocked them out. Spanish 321 was a pain because of the teacher. PE 191 (Weight Training) was enjoyable, but the grading policy was entirely arbitrary and unfair. It was more like living as a peasant under the feudal system than attending a college PE class.
But all of those were pieces of cake when it comes to the BYU Math Department. Living as a peasant under the feudalism is like a vacation in Disneyland compared to math classes at BYU. I'm not the only one who feels this way either. Yes, there are people like my former roommate, Keith who like the Math Department, but they are the ones who got 5's on their AP Calculus BC exams and didn't have to take any 100 level class at BYU. The rest will chime in with me complaining about the ineffectiveness of having graduate students who have no training in actual teaching at the front of a class everyday and a book that was written without effective communication in mind by the head of the very same department.
I can't decide which is worse the first time I took Calculus 1, the second time I took Calculus 1, or the time I took Calculus 2. I don't think that I can accurately answer this question because I still have to take Calculus 2 again in an attempt to get better than a D+ to be able to graduate. So this next time might be the worse. I'll have to keep ya'll posted. (Sounds like an empty promise to me.) Sorry for the bitter tone of this post, it's a touchy subject with me and I've got a lot to do this week.
You can dress up like a sultan in your onion-head hat,
Dan
But all of those were pieces of cake when it comes to the BYU Math Department. Living as a peasant under the feudalism is like a vacation in Disneyland compared to math classes at BYU. I'm not the only one who feels this way either. Yes, there are people like my former roommate, Keith who like the Math Department, but they are the ones who got 5's on their AP Calculus BC exams and didn't have to take any 100 level class at BYU. The rest will chime in with me complaining about the ineffectiveness of having graduate students who have no training in actual teaching at the front of a class everyday and a book that was written without effective communication in mind by the head of the very same department.
I can't decide which is worse the first time I took Calculus 1, the second time I took Calculus 1, or the time I took Calculus 2. I don't think that I can accurately answer this question because I still have to take Calculus 2 again in an attempt to get better than a D+ to be able to graduate. So this next time might be the worse. I'll have to keep ya'll posted. (Sounds like an empty promise to me.) Sorry for the bitter tone of this post, it's a touchy subject with me and I've got a lot to do this week.
You can dress up like a sultan in your onion-head hat,
Dan
Sunday, December 10, 2006
The trouble these days
When I was a kid, I can honestly say I can hardly remember actually getting in trouble. I do remember quite distincly being sent to my room when I was smaller, but that ended as I got older. I'm just gonna claim right now (and who's gonna dispute me?) that I didn't get into trouble. Mainly because I just covered up and hid anything I'd done. So nobody was the wiser. Sorry Mom and Pop for the years of deception. :->
This brings up a new point. One which I've either forgotten or never had in the first place. Sorry to everyone else for that little deception.
So you'll be an Austrian nobleman,
Dan
This brings up a new point. One which I've either forgotten or never had in the first place. Sorry to everyone else for that little deception.
So you'll be an Austrian nobleman,
Dan
All I want for Christmas
I think for Christmas I would enjoy any of the vehicles featured in my previous post. Since that's probably not gonna happen, I'll drop my request to a new computer. Or maybe just a new mother board and DVD burner.
I also think I'd enjoy a Nintendo Wii. Or maybe I'd settle for a 2 Gig jump drive. Here's something I never thought I'd like for Christmas: clothes. Mine are getting a little ratty and worn out. I guess that's what happens when you work with rock dust and chemical fumes everywhere.
But all that other stuff is probably just a trip. Something I have a strong suspicion I'll be getting from a reliable source is Mario Kart for N64. Faith and I will have a lot of fun with that.
Birds fall from the window ledge above mine,
Dan
I also think I'd enjoy a Nintendo Wii. Or maybe I'd settle for a 2 Gig jump drive. Here's something I never thought I'd like for Christmas: clothes. Mine are getting a little ratty and worn out. I guess that's what happens when you work with rock dust and chemical fumes everywhere.
But all that other stuff is probably just a trip. Something I have a strong suspicion I'll be getting from a reliable source is Mario Kart for N64. Faith and I will have a lot of fun with that.
Birds fall from the window ledge above mine,
Dan
Wednesday, December 06, 2006
Vehicle
If money wasn't an obstacle, what vehicle would I have?
I don't know much about cars or anything, so I had to do several Google searches as research in order to be able to answer this blog question fully.
This little number is quite the eye-catcher.
But it probably isn't making good use of my unlimited funds. So I found this one.
Yes, it looks good, but look what it can do.
But let's be realistic, how often am I going to want to cross a body of water. How about something more useful.
Now, that's what I'm talking about.
I get the feeling it was different here before we came along,
Dan
I don't know much about cars or anything, so I had to do several Google searches as research in order to be able to answer this blog question fully.
This little number is quite the eye-catcher.
But it probably isn't making good use of my unlimited funds. So I found this one.Yes, it looks good, but look what it can do.
But let's be realistic, how often am I going to want to cross a body of water. How about something more useful.
Now, that's what I'm talking about.
I get the feeling it was different here before we came along,
Dan
Monday, December 04, 2006
What's that smell?
Smells are interesting things. My sense of smell isn't that great so I probably miss out on some pretty good ones. On the other hand, I miss some of the not so pretty good ones too, so I try not to complain.
Hypothetically speaking, there is a Great-Grandmother who is a great cook and she has her grand and great-grand kids over regularly to eat. The only problem is that the next day said offspring are plagued with quite pungent flatulence. Even those with the worse sense of smell are afflicted. I guess that's the price you have to pay for great food.
Hypothetically speaking, this same Great-Grandmother will never admit to having ever had a flatulent episode. She'll always blame it on the youngest person present, usually a baby. I know babies can be flatulent, but there's no way a baby can do what she claims.
I suggest that Colonel Mustard killed Mr. Boddy, with the revolver, in the Billiard Room,
Dan
Hypothetically speaking, there is a Great-Grandmother who is a great cook and she has her grand and great-grand kids over regularly to eat. The only problem is that the next day said offspring are plagued with quite pungent flatulence. Even those with the worse sense of smell are afflicted. I guess that's the price you have to pay for great food.
Hypothetically speaking, this same Great-Grandmother will never admit to having ever had a flatulent episode. She'll always blame it on the youngest person present, usually a baby. I know babies can be flatulent, but there's no way a baby can do what she claims.
I suggest that Colonel Mustard killed Mr. Boddy, with the revolver, in the Billiard Room,
Dan
Monday, November 27, 2006
Shoulda done
Like many others, I had big plans for the Thanksgiving weekend. I was gonna work a bunch of extra hours, I was gonna do all of my Hydro homework, and I was gonna be more productive than I've been all semester.
Yeah right.
I ended up getting and assembling bookshelves and organizing books with my wife. But I consider it time well spent.
They don't love you like I love you,
Dan
Yeah right.
I ended up getting and assembling bookshelves and organizing books with my wife. But I consider it time well spent.
They don't love you like I love you,
Dan
Thanksgiving
My favorite Thanksgiving food has to be pumpkin pie. I have to say, though, that not all pumpkin pies are created equal. The best type of pumpkin pie is homemade pumpkin pie. Mmmmm.
This Thanksgiving, my mother-in-law got a pumpkin pie from Marie Callender's. That was some good pumpkin pie. She also got a type of pie that I've never heard of before: cranberry apple pie. It was good too. But I just couldn't stop thinking of Brian Regan talking about cranberries getting into all the other juices. Now they're getting into all the other pies. I can see it now, cranberry shepherd's pie.
Anyway, I hope the tons of people who read this had a good Thanksgiving.
I love my arms that's where my hands live,
Dan
This Thanksgiving, my mother-in-law got a pumpkin pie from Marie Callender's. That was some good pumpkin pie. She also got a type of pie that I've never heard of before: cranberry apple pie. It was good too. But I just couldn't stop thinking of Brian Regan talking about cranberries getting into all the other juices. Now they're getting into all the other pies. I can see it now, cranberry shepherd's pie.
Anyway, I hope the tons of people who read this had a good Thanksgiving.
I love my arms that's where my hands live,
Dan
Monday, November 20, 2006
Vacación
My worst family vacation ever. I honestly can't think of what our worst family vacation was. I was a little kid for most of them and any emotions I'd attached to the vacations has long since been lost.
There is one that sticks in my mind though. It definitely wasn't the worst. In fact I really enjoyed it. When I was 13 or 14, I went with my Dad to Washington D.C. I hadn't been there since I was a little kid and I didn't remember much. We visited all the sites, walked a ton, and had a lot of fun. The most interesting part of the vacation was the fact that instead of staying in a regular hotel or motel, we stayed at the International Youth Hostel.
For those of you who don't know what a hostel is, it's like a hotel, except you don't get a room to yourself, it's more like a dorm. I'll just say right now that my Dad and I weren't the strangest people there.
Maybe my family can remember worse family vacations, if any of them are reading this, it might make a good e-mail conversation topic. Maybe I'll relay the best stories for the rest of the world to read here. That would be fun.
The preacher said, "richer or poorer",
Dan
There is one that sticks in my mind though. It definitely wasn't the worst. In fact I really enjoyed it. When I was 13 or 14, I went with my Dad to Washington D.C. I hadn't been there since I was a little kid and I didn't remember much. We visited all the sites, walked a ton, and had a lot of fun. The most interesting part of the vacation was the fact that instead of staying in a regular hotel or motel, we stayed at the International Youth Hostel.
For those of you who don't know what a hostel is, it's like a hotel, except you don't get a room to yourself, it's more like a dorm. I'll just say right now that my Dad and I weren't the strangest people there.
Maybe my family can remember worse family vacations, if any of them are reading this, it might make a good e-mail conversation topic. Maybe I'll relay the best stories for the rest of the world to read here. That would be fun.
The preacher said, "richer or poorer",
Dan
Friday, November 17, 2006
Animál
If you were an animal what would you be?I think I'd have to be a bear. I'm not mean or cantakerous (usually), but I am big and cuddly. This picture is a good representation of me in class.
Tomorrow can pay the rent.
Dan
Wednesday, November 15, 2006
Weird People
I'm supposed to write about the weirdest person in my family. I don't really like that topic and I don't want to offend anyone. So I'll just say I'm the weirdest (even though I know it's not true).
Here are some pictures of people who are weird. Or maybe they're just cool. You decide.
I don't know who this guy is or why everybody in the background wants to be like him, but I'll have you know that if I had the chance, I'd be wearing, a tuxedo with saddle shoes, a red bow-tie, suspenders, and coke bottle glasses too.
This guy's name is Marco Salvetti. I only wish my upper lip had the power to produce such a mustache. Note the second appearance of a red tie.
Anyone crazy enough to use Sword Chucks should be avoided. But just imagine the damage that could be done to all in the nearby vicinity. Note there is no red tie.
I am an opera singer,
Dan
Here are some pictures of people who are weird. Or maybe they're just cool. You decide.
I don't know who this guy is or why everybody in the background wants to be like him, but I'll have you know that if I had the chance, I'd be wearing, a tuxedo with saddle shoes, a red bow-tie, suspenders, and coke bottle glasses too.
This guy's name is Marco Salvetti. I only wish my upper lip had the power to produce such a mustache. Note the second appearance of a red tie.
Anyone crazy enough to use Sword Chucks should be avoided. But just imagine the damage that could be done to all in the nearby vicinity. Note there is no red tie.I am an opera singer,
Dan
Monday, November 13, 2006
Toys!
When I was a kid, I didn't have many new toys. I'm the youngest of 7 kids and everything I played with was pretty much a hand-me-down. (At least that's what I remember.) As a result, I read a lot of books. I still like books and just wish I had more time to read. I've found out that books on tape are great especially when you have to commute.
Anyway, I digress. My favorite game when I was a kid was this marble game. I don't know what it was really called or who makes it. After search online for approximately 3.7 minutes, I was unsuccessful in finding the exact game I had, but there are similar things called "Marble Run" out there.
The premise behind this game was building a track upon which you put your marbles. Gravity would do the rest and your marbles would roll down your creation. I literally spent hours with this game. Just don't use marbles that are too big because they'll get stuck and that can be aggravating. Amazingly, my Mom kept it after all these years, and my nieces and nephews love to play with it when they visit my parent's house.
I will swim to you if you will swim to me,
Dan
Anyway, I digress. My favorite game when I was a kid was this marble game. I don't know what it was really called or who makes it. After search online for approximately 3.7 minutes, I was unsuccessful in finding the exact game I had, but there are similar things called "Marble Run" out there.
The premise behind this game was building a track upon which you put your marbles. Gravity would do the rest and your marbles would roll down your creation. I literally spent hours with this game. Just don't use marbles that are too big because they'll get stuck and that can be aggravating. Amazingly, my Mom kept it after all these years, and my nieces and nephews love to play with it when they visit my parent's house.
I will swim to you if you will swim to me,
Dan
Friday, November 10, 2006
Christmas Music
With Halloween over and Thanksgiving on our doorstep, I go to the store and am bombarded with Christmas decorations. I'm sure that while all the kids are out trick-or-treating, the hapless retail store employees are pressed into removing all the orange and black streamers and pumpkins while putting up red, white and green paraphernalia. I'm amazed at how quickly our society forgets the true roots and meaning of Thanksgiving and Christmas while focusing on the greed oriented mentality of X-Mas. To top off the conspiracy, radio stations are already playing non-stop Christmas music. I for one, don't think it right to start listening to it until after the Thanksgiving leftovers are safely tucked away into tupperware in the fridge. Even then, we shouldn't listen to it exclusively. Anyway...
The flood that drowns the sailor is the the fisherman's delight,
Dan
The flood that drowns the sailor is the the fisherman's delight,
Dan
Kellen
So there's this guy in my Geol 230 class named Kellen. Everybody thinks that he craves attention and goes to great lengths to get it. In my opinion, Kellen doesn't try to get attention any more than anyone else in the class like Jay, Miles, or myself. I just want to express my support for Kellen in all his endeavors and warn anyone who might be plotting his demise that there are many of his associates who are willing to give their lives in his defense.
Smile for the camera and raise your glass,
Dan
Smile for the camera and raise your glass,
Dan
Monday, November 06, 2006
Worst Date Ever
I have to start this one of with a disclaimer. The reason that this was my worst date was not due to the person I was with. It was entirely my fault.
So a couple of years ago, I ate dinner at my sister's house. They had a big bowl of left over pasta stuff. It was very cheesy and very good. So I downed the whole thing and then left for my date with Faith. We went on a double date to see Saints and Soldiers at the dollar theater. I started feeling sick a few minutes after the movie started and by the time a half hour had passed, I knew I was going to have to take a bathroom break. I'm lactose intolerant and usually, I don't have violent reactions to milk products, but I guess the nervousness of the date really got to me. So anyway, I spent the duration of the movie in the bathroom, hurling my guts out. I didn't realize how long I'd been in there until the other guy on the double date came looking for me.
We went home and Faith said I didn't have to walk her to her door on the third story. I was very grateful for that. To make a long story very short, we got married!
Chocolate chip cookies for breakfast,
Dan
So a couple of years ago, I ate dinner at my sister's house. They had a big bowl of left over pasta stuff. It was very cheesy and very good. So I downed the whole thing and then left for my date with Faith. We went on a double date to see Saints and Soldiers at the dollar theater. I started feeling sick a few minutes after the movie started and by the time a half hour had passed, I knew I was going to have to take a bathroom break. I'm lactose intolerant and usually, I don't have violent reactions to milk products, but I guess the nervousness of the date really got to me. So anyway, I spent the duration of the movie in the bathroom, hurling my guts out. I didn't realize how long I'd been in there until the other guy on the double date came looking for me.
We went home and Faith said I didn't have to walk her to her door on the third story. I was very grateful for that. To make a long story very short, we got married!
Chocolate chip cookies for breakfast,
Dan
Friday, November 03, 2006
Little Questions from Viklas
What is your favorite band? Spin Doctors
What color are your socks right now? White w/ gray toes and heels
What was the last thing you ate? Dried apricots and tortilla chips
What is your favorite drink? Jugo de Parcha (Passion Fruit juice) it's good in a boba
What was your favorite childhood toy? The marble game
What is your biggest fear? Rabid platypuses ... platypi ...
What is the coolest, most interesting, boring, or aggravating job you've ever held? Building Dinosaurs
Do you lick rocks? Always.
Have you driven a motorcycle or heavy machinery? I am a certified fork lift operator for BYU. This is not me in the photo, just in case you were wondering.
My 'a-ha' moment came when I realized that I cloned out a truck better than Kirsten did in class. Mua-ha-ha! This is most likely a very rare occurrence due to the fact that she's rushing and just doing examples in class, not real work.
I'm still confused about ... politics.
And the trumpet sings,
Dan
What color are your socks right now? White w/ gray toes and heels
What was the last thing you ate? Dried apricots and tortilla chips
What is your favorite drink? Jugo de Parcha (Passion Fruit juice) it's good in a boba
What was your favorite childhood toy? The marble game
What is your biggest fear? Rabid platypuses ... platypi ...
What is the coolest, most interesting, boring, or aggravating job you've ever held? Building Dinosaurs
Do you lick rocks? Always.
Have you driven a motorcycle or heavy machinery? I am a certified fork lift operator for BYU. This is not me in the photo, just in case you were wondering.
My 'a-ha' moment came when I realized that I cloned out a truck better than Kirsten did in class. Mua-ha-ha! This is most likely a very rare occurrence due to the fact that she's rushing and just doing examples in class, not real work.
I'm still confused about ... politics.
And the trumpet sings,
Dan
Wednesday, November 01, 2006
Practical Joke
I've never really been good at practical jokes, but I can remember a good one that was played on me in High School. I was spending the night at a friend's house and my Mom was coming to pick me up pretty early the next morning. We had stayed up late playing video games and I had fallen asleep on the love seat. I had put my glasses on the coffee table and while I was asleep, my friends put shaving cream on the lenses. Then woke me up saying "Dan, your Mom's here!" So all dazed, I wake up and put my glasses on and am all confused about why I can't see anything. Hurriedly, I clean the shaving cream off and run outside thinking my Mom is waiting. Then I stand out there for a minute trying to gain my bearings and start my brain. My Mom is nowhere in sight and it's way earlier than when my Mom was supposed to come.
It was a pretty good joke. I can't remember how I felt at the time, but I can laugh about it now.
My 'a-ha' moment hasn't come yet.
I really like Photoshop, but it just takes forever to do anything or figure anything out.
You know my boat has holes,
Dan
It was a pretty good joke. I can't remember how I felt at the time, but I can laugh about it now.
My 'a-ha' moment hasn't come yet.
I really like Photoshop, but it just takes forever to do anything or figure anything out.
You know my boat has holes,
Dan
Costume
I'm pretty much a lameface when it comes to Halloween. I don't really enjoy dressing up. The only thing I really get excited about is eating candy. I'll probably go to the store tonight and get some discount candy because Halloween was yesterday.
I will say that my daughter was a cute little bear. I'm sure she doesn't realize much about it, but that's beside the point.
Dodging assassins,
Dan
I will say that my daughter was a cute little bear. I'm sure she doesn't realize much about it, but that's beside the point.Dodging assassins,
Dan
Hair
I dunno if I've ever had a bad haircut. Well, yes I have. When I was twelve my Mom accidentally buzzed my head and I was devastated. Then on my mission, I had my zone leader buzz it again. I was excited about it because it was in the hot Florida summer, but it didn't look very good. I guess the worst haircut I had wasn't actually a haircut. It was when I didn't cut my hair for eight months my Senior year of high school. It was pretty bad most of the time. This photo is what it looked like when it was neat.
I've got a million plans but each one fails,
Dan
I've got a million plans but each one fails,
Dan
Thursday, October 19, 2006
Joke
So there was this rabbi who went out as a missionary to teach a tribe of people called the Twids. The rabbi spent his time with them and was fully accepted and loved by them. Yet, the Twids were unresponsive to his message. He toiled with the Twids and taught the Twids, and they wouldn't convert from their Twid traditions.
The rabbi grew discouraged with his lack of success and decided to travel to the other side of the mountain where another tribe called the Frinests lived. The only trail that would take him over was up to the very top of the mountain and back down the other side. As he prepared for his journey over the mountain, the Twids told him of a wizened old man who lived at the top of the mountain. In order to pass him you must ask him a riddle. If he could answer the riddle, he would kick you off the mountain. You had to ask a riddle that he could not answer in order to pass him.
Feeling confident, the rabbi began his journey up the mountain. As he climbed, he thought of a riddle that the old man at the top of the mountain couldn't possibly answer. He picked up three small pebbles and put them in his pocket, the old man could never guess how many he had hidden in there. So he reached the top of the mountain and approached the old man who was cooking his hot dog on a little fire up there. The rabbi approached him and said "Old man, how many pebbles do I have in my pocket?" The old man replied without looking up, "Three." Astonished, the rabbi curled up into a little ball in an attempt to minimize any damage from being kicked off the mountain. And he braced himself for the big kick.
Nothing happened. The rabbi peeked out at the old man who was still cooking his hot dog. The rabbi asked "Aren't you going to kick me off the mountain? You answered my riddle correctly."
The old man replied, "You silly rabbi, kicks are for Twids."
The rabbi grew discouraged with his lack of success and decided to travel to the other side of the mountain where another tribe called the Frinests lived. The only trail that would take him over was up to the very top of the mountain and back down the other side. As he prepared for his journey over the mountain, the Twids told him of a wizened old man who lived at the top of the mountain. In order to pass him you must ask him a riddle. If he could answer the riddle, he would kick you off the mountain. You had to ask a riddle that he could not answer in order to pass him.
Feeling confident, the rabbi began his journey up the mountain. As he climbed, he thought of a riddle that the old man at the top of the mountain couldn't possibly answer. He picked up three small pebbles and put them in his pocket, the old man could never guess how many he had hidden in there. So he reached the top of the mountain and approached the old man who was cooking his hot dog on a little fire up there. The rabbi approached him and said "Old man, how many pebbles do I have in my pocket?" The old man replied without looking up, "Three." Astonished, the rabbi curled up into a little ball in an attempt to minimize any damage from being kicked off the mountain. And he braced himself for the big kick.
Nothing happened. The rabbi peeked out at the old man who was still cooking his hot dog. The rabbi asked "Aren't you going to kick me off the mountain? You answered my riddle correctly."
The old man replied, "You silly rabbi, kicks are for Twids."
Monday, October 16, 2006
Lenguas
I speak English. As you can see, I can also type it. Somedays, if I'm lucky I'll even be able to read it.
I also speak Spanish. I was actually born and raised in Puerto Rico. As a little kid, I supposedly spoke pretty good Spanish, but I didn't use it nearly as much as I should have in later years. I spoke English at home, church, and school. I finally had the opportunity to relearn it when I became a missionary and was called to speak Spanish and teach people in Florida.
I'm also proficient in Efe.
For good or for awesome,
Dan
I also speak Spanish. I was actually born and raised in Puerto Rico. As a little kid, I supposedly spoke pretty good Spanish, but I didn't use it nearly as much as I should have in later years. I spoke English at home, church, and school. I finally had the opportunity to relearn it when I became a missionary and was called to speak Spanish and teach people in Florida.
I'm also proficient in Efe.
For good or for awesome,
Dan
Saturday, October 14, 2006
Restaurante
I'm gonna have to say that my favorite restaurant is Fuentes B.B.Q. in Rio Piedras, PR. It's been so long since I've been there, but I can still taste the chuletas y arroz con habichuelas; not to mention the tostones. So if you're ever in the area, I strongly recommend this place.
My 'a-ha' moment was ... I honestly can't remember a thing from any of my classes yesterday except for Structure. My entire memory is overshadowed by the ridiculous monster test we had to take. That and Guitar Hero.
The more it rains the less I know,
Dan
Wednesday, October 11, 2006
First Love
I must say that my first love was my wife. I had crushes and stuff before, but my first real love was Faith. When we were first dating, I would ask myself if I loved her, or just like her. I wasn't sure, so I decided to conduct a scientific experiment. As we said goodnight to eachother, I would end with a "Love ya." I didn't find out until much later that this caused her coniption fits. On one date, we went to see the movie The Incredibles. During one of the scenes, I realized that I loved her for real, so I leaned over and told her. Maybe it was in the car afterwards, I can't remember. But the rest is history.
My 'a-ha' moment for today was when I finally realized how the pen tool in Adobe Illustrator works. It's a little tricky.
I'm confused at exactly how I'm going to make a graph for my paper. But it'll be done this Saturday, so I'm not worried.
What is the secret of your power?
Dan
My 'a-ha' moment for today was when I finally realized how the pen tool in Adobe Illustrator works. It's a little tricky.
I'm confused at exactly how I'm going to make a graph for my paper. But it'll be done this Saturday, so I'm not worried.
What is the secret of your power?
Dan
Monday, October 09, 2006
Scary
"When is you the most scar-ed?" - Kirsten Thompson
The time I was the most scared was probably when I was a missionary in Immokalee, FL. My companion, Elder Smith, and I were riding our bikes home late one night, when we rounded the corner and passed a dumpster. Neither of us had lights of our bikes so the racoons feasting in the dumpster didn't hear or see us until it was too late. Elder Smith was infront of me and hit the last racoon with the front wheel of his bike. He flew over the front of his handlebars and smashed his face into the asphalt. I thought he was really messed up and was really worried. But we got him to the nearest hospital (an hour away) and he was fine. It was fun seeing everybody's looks of gaping horror when they saw him as they entered church the following day.
My 'a-ha' moment for today happened when I realized that I know nothing about making good figures. I can interpret most of the bad ones, after a few minutes of intense pondering so I don't see the problem. :-> I am excited to get to know how to use Adobe Illustrator, though.
I'm still confused about Adobe Acrobat Professional. I was late to class today and missed some important stuff. I really didn't understand using bookmarks, but I have to admit, I wasn't paying much attenion for that part.
The time I was the most scared was probably when I was a missionary in Immokalee, FL. My companion, Elder Smith, and I were riding our bikes home late one night, when we rounded the corner and passed a dumpster. Neither of us had lights of our bikes so the racoons feasting in the dumpster didn't hear or see us until it was too late. Elder Smith was infront of me and hit the last racoon with the front wheel of his bike. He flew over the front of his handlebars and smashed his face into the asphalt. I thought he was really messed up and was really worried. But we got him to the nearest hospital (an hour away) and he was fine. It was fun seeing everybody's looks of gaping horror when they saw him as they entered church the following day.
My 'a-ha' moment for today happened when I realized that I know nothing about making good figures. I can interpret most of the bad ones, after a few minutes of intense pondering so I don't see the problem. :-> I am excited to get to know how to use Adobe Illustrator, though.
I'm still confused about Adobe Acrobat Professional. I was late to class today and missed some important stuff. I really didn't understand using bookmarks, but I have to admit, I wasn't paying much attenion for that part.
Scar
I don't have any cool scars. I have a little one on my left index finger where I cut myself with an X-ACTO knife when I was cutting a tennis ball open.
Uh...I like the song Scar Tissue by the Red Hot Chili Peppers.
But if you do a Google image search for scars, you can see some gross stuff and this guy. Anyway...
Uh...I like the song Scar Tissue by the Red Hot Chili Peppers.
But if you do a Google image search for scars, you can see some gross stuff and this guy. Anyway...
Wednesday, October 04, 2006
Geologic Sample
My favorite Geological sample that I've ever seen is the world! Well, I'll also say the mineral danburkite, I mean, danburite. Though I've never seen it myself, in gem quality it's quite beautiful. Geology is so cool, when I learn more, I get more and more excited when I go outside and see stuff in the real world.
My 'a-ha' moment for today was just learning a few tips and tricks in Excel.
I'm confused about some of the terms we're supposed to learn for the test, but I'll be okay.
Everybody to the limit,
Dan
My 'a-ha' moment for today was just learning a few tips and tricks in Excel.
I'm confused about some of the terms we're supposed to learn for the test, but I'll be okay.
Everybody to the limit,
Dan
Monday, October 02, 2006
Cartoon Show!
My favorite cartoon show right now is Homestar Runner. It's not on tv, but that's okay. When I was a kid, I really liked Animaniacs and Gargoyles. In high school, I discovered The Tick and The Simpsons.
I've spent large portions of my life watching these cartoons. I strongly recommend them.
My 'a-ha' moment for today was when I realized that I just barely learned on my own most of the cool stuff you can do in Excel.
I'm confused about the test and what kind of stuff is going to be on it.
The system is down,
Dan
I've spent large portions of my life watching these cartoons. I strongly recommend them.
My 'a-ha' moment for today was when I realized that I just barely learned on my own most of the cool stuff you can do in Excel.
I'm confused about the test and what kind of stuff is going to be on it.
The system is down,
Dan
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