I had two midterms this week. Both were posted online last Monday for me to start. So, what do I do? Exactly as my little sister would do...procrastinate and cause more stress to myself than necessary. I'm no talking about difficult midterms. Each midterms has six available questions, answer at least three of them, and make each no longer than 500-600 words. After writing so much and on so many topics the past four years, this is no a tremendous amount of work (I think Sis would agree). I sit here at 11:37 almost done with both midterms but my brain is completely shut down and refuses to work any longer. However, I have the ability to sit and write this blog...again, there I go with prioritizing my work. I consider myself a good manager of my time, but something is different as of late. Do I like to stay busy? Do I like to push myself? Do I work better under a deadline and a tight timeframe? Am I beginning to feel burnout from school? All legitimate questions that I am choosing not to answer because the answer might scare me.
On that note, I am going to bed to lay next to a beautiful women that means the world to me and next to our new puppy, Ellie! I sure do miss the Peanut cuddling and loving on L and I. Good night all and hope your adventures are as uneventful and routine as mine.
Monday, February 16, 2009
Friday, February 13, 2009
Paint, Paint, and more Paint
Wow! Lindsey and I will be done tonight with the painting of the living room, kitchen, hallways, and accent ledges. This has been a tremendous project. I will post some pictures and more details later. We bought a new entertainment center for the living room, should be hanging some Fat Chef pictures up in the kitchen, and will be hanging up some of L's accent decorations. The house received a much deserved face-lift (complete understatement).
The best part of the whole thing - a ladder was left at the house when I moved in. It is old and never folds quite right up for me. Well, one of the brackets would not lock to secure the ladder. So, I grabbed some WD40 and sprayed away to loosen the dirt and grime that had built up. I still could not get it to lock up. I decided, "If it ain't gonna lock, it is pretty well stuck then." Not the case. As I exerted my 165 pounds onto the first and second steps, the ladder decided to fold nearly in half. It scared the crap out of me. But I held on to my paint roller, did not hurt myself (it is an oddity), and did not spill any paint. My heart was pounding at a decent rate but I was fine. The pictures are great. Again, I will post some soon. That's all for now! Off to work :-(
The best part of the whole thing - a ladder was left at the house when I moved in. It is old and never folds quite right up for me. Well, one of the brackets would not lock to secure the ladder. So, I grabbed some WD40 and sprayed away to loosen the dirt and grime that had built up. I still could not get it to lock up. I decided, "If it ain't gonna lock, it is pretty well stuck then." Not the case. As I exerted my 165 pounds onto the first and second steps, the ladder decided to fold nearly in half. It scared the crap out of me. But I held on to my paint roller, did not hurt myself (it is an oddity), and did not spill any paint. My heart was pounding at a decent rate but I was fine. The pictures are great. Again, I will post some soon. That's all for now! Off to work :-(
Thursday, February 5, 2009
Making progress!
All the wallpaper is down! Half the walls have been washed! A few walls have primer on them! Lindsey will start the texturing tomorrow! We are buying the paint tomorrow!
I gutted a nasty looking tree from the front yard this week! The other palm will be out in two weeks! The grass is finally turning green again! And...no injuries yet!
I will post pictures when we are done.
I gutted a nasty looking tree from the front yard this week! The other palm will be out in two weeks! The grass is finally turning green again! And...no injuries yet!
I will post pictures when we are done.
Monday, February 2, 2009
Thoughts on Politics
As I sat and watched the pregame interview with President Obama, I was reminded of the great opportunity that has been created for us through the democratic process of American politics. Despite the massive beaucratic system, the abundant red tape, the systemic rigidity, and the ideologies of competing political parties, you and I have the ability to shape the political landscape that exists today and the future of American politics.
It is bothersome when I hear individuals say "I have only one voice" and "One vote won't make a difference." Consider the opportunity that exists for you and I. We can vote, interact, write, respond, and comment on each and every piece of federal legislation, county ordinance, state regulation, and school board initiative that is presented today. Against popular belief, representatives, legislators, city council members, and congressman do respond to their constituents' issues and problems. Your idea or recommendation may be the solution to the problem you are concerned with.
Here it is - you have to take that initiative, that first step. Make the phone call to the local county supervisor. Write the email to your state congressman. Attend the local school board meeting. Make public comment at meetings. Submit editorials to the local newspaper. Provide comments through the Federal Register. Create your own interest group with a specific set of ideologies. Post comments on online political columns. The list of opportunities is substantial.
Understand this. Most change can occur at the local level. City council members, school board members, and county supervisors have ambitions of running for state or federal office. This is why local politicians work so hard to create voter loyalty and why politicians are so responsive to local needs. So, I am done with my thoughts for the day. Keep in mind that each of us have the opportunity to interact in the American democratic process.
It is bothersome when I hear individuals say "I have only one voice" and "One vote won't make a difference." Consider the opportunity that exists for you and I. We can vote, interact, write, respond, and comment on each and every piece of federal legislation, county ordinance, state regulation, and school board initiative that is presented today. Against popular belief, representatives, legislators, city council members, and congressman do respond to their constituents' issues and problems. Your idea or recommendation may be the solution to the problem you are concerned with.
Here it is - you have to take that initiative, that first step. Make the phone call to the local county supervisor. Write the email to your state congressman. Attend the local school board meeting. Make public comment at meetings. Submit editorials to the local newspaper. Provide comments through the Federal Register. Create your own interest group with a specific set of ideologies. Post comments on online political columns. The list of opportunities is substantial.
Understand this. Most change can occur at the local level. City council members, school board members, and county supervisors have ambitions of running for state or federal office. This is why local politicians work so hard to create voter loyalty and why politicians are so responsive to local needs. So, I am done with my thoughts for the day. Keep in mind that each of us have the opportunity to interact in the American democratic process.
Sunday, February 1, 2009
Top 5 List
My list. This is always a fun game to play with others and gets a conversation going.
Rules: Please play my game...it is lots of fun. The list can change with the times. You cannot have a women on the list based on a certain look or in a certain movie. The list has to go with the times For example, Anne Hathaway got bumped from my list because she kept doing those stupid magazine covers that made her look ridiculous and weird.
Gentlemen - Tread carefully when discussing the list with your leading lady. They might not be as receptive as you think.
Ladies - After you make a Top 5, try making a Top 5 Hollywood Men's list.
1. Kate Beckinsale
2. Natalie Portman
3. Jennifer Connelly
4. Scarlett Johannson
5. Liv Tyler
Top 5 Lists to come: Classic Hollywood Actors/Actresses, Movies of All Time, Sports Franchises
Rules: Please play my game...it is lots of fun. The list can change with the times. You cannot have a women on the list based on a certain look or in a certain movie. The list has to go with the times For example, Anne Hathaway got bumped from my list because she kept doing those stupid magazine covers that made her look ridiculous and weird.
Gentlemen - Tread carefully when discussing the list with your leading lady. They might not be as receptive as you think.
Ladies - After you make a Top 5, try making a Top 5 Hollywood Men's list.
1. Kate Beckinsale
2. Natalie Portman
3. Jennifer Connelly
4. Scarlett Johannson
5. Liv Tyler
Top 5 Lists to come: Classic Hollywood Actors/Actresses, Movies of All Time, Sports Franchises
Saturday, January 31, 2009
Just some thoughts...
Hello friends and family! This is my first blog site I have hosted. So, I hope not to overly bore you with tangents and random thoughts. Here we go!
The excitement for the day....I finished taking the horrible wallpaper down that was in the house when I bought it back in October! Three different walls, three different designs, and a whole lot of work. For those that had the great pleasure of witnessing the walls...you are well aware of my hatred of the designs. I finished taking it down today with minimal bad language and with the help of a little band called Rise Against (angry punk rock music makes the project much easier). Lindsey and I should start the texture and primer this week. We are still going back and forth on color schemes and decorations.
The Master's program is now underway. Currently, I am working on an evaluation regarding the Food Grading Program that was implemented in Kern County in 2007. Lots of work is needed but the research and networking is well worth the time and energy. Additionally, I am analyzing Senate Bill 966 which addresses the home generated pharmaceutical waste that is a hot topic in my world of waste management. I will not bore you further with the details. I am still throwing ideas around for my Master's thesis project. I should settle on a topic soon so that I can start my research and design.
Super Bowl is tomorrow and I cannot wait to see the dynasty of the Steelers wipe out the doormat franchise known as the Cardinals. The Steelers are a well balanced team that can disrupt quarterbacks, chase down speedy running backs, and hit the crap out of wide outs. They have a great ability to move the ball offensively with the use of the pass and the rush. More importantly, Josh Reed and the special teams unit has played awesome this year. Field position and field goal opportunities may make or break this game. My pick: Steelers 23 Cardinals 17
That's it for now. More thought from the mind of Dave at a later date.
The excitement for the day....I finished taking the horrible wallpaper down that was in the house when I bought it back in October! Three different walls, three different designs, and a whole lot of work. For those that had the great pleasure of witnessing the walls...you are well aware of my hatred of the designs. I finished taking it down today with minimal bad language and with the help of a little band called Rise Against (angry punk rock music makes the project much easier). Lindsey and I should start the texture and primer this week. We are still going back and forth on color schemes and decorations.
The Master's program is now underway. Currently, I am working on an evaluation regarding the Food Grading Program that was implemented in Kern County in 2007. Lots of work is needed but the research and networking is well worth the time and energy. Additionally, I am analyzing Senate Bill 966 which addresses the home generated pharmaceutical waste that is a hot topic in my world of waste management. I will not bore you further with the details. I am still throwing ideas around for my Master's thesis project. I should settle on a topic soon so that I can start my research and design.
Super Bowl is tomorrow and I cannot wait to see the dynasty of the Steelers wipe out the doormat franchise known as the Cardinals. The Steelers are a well balanced team that can disrupt quarterbacks, chase down speedy running backs, and hit the crap out of wide outs. They have a great ability to move the ball offensively with the use of the pass and the rush. More importantly, Josh Reed and the special teams unit has played awesome this year. Field position and field goal opportunities may make or break this game. My pick: Steelers 23 Cardinals 17
That's it for now. More thought from the mind of Dave at a later date.
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