October 28, 2009
Carbon Dioxide Cap-and-Trade Economic Impact
For my technical writing class, I'm thinking of doing a report on carbon dioxide cap-and-trade effects on the economy. If you have any thoughts on it, let me know.
Institute at BYU?
Today I went to institute. The lesson was relatively good and I found much of the material insightful, although the style of delivery was not my favorite. I was disappointed to see the lesson end and students head out the door without a word of socializing. I've never attended institute at BYU before, but I was hoping to find a more fun and sociable group than I did.
July 24, 2009
I Asked Myself This Question (take 2)
I couldn't get houndbites to work this morning, so I found a new server. This is a second version of the previous song posting. I'm a little better at guitar here and I'm tuned to 440 Hz now (or at least a lot closer than before).
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July 18, 2009
How far is too far?
The age-old question: how far is too far? That's the question I was asking myself last night. When should I stop. Well, I've got photo evidence. Why don't you decide for yourself. Which stage should I have stopped at?
Stage 1: And she said he wasn't stupid
Stage 2: Cut of the sides, leave the top
Stage 3: Top down to a 7
Stage 4: Top down to a 6
Stage 5: Shower
Which stage do you think is cutest? Vote today!
I Asked Myself This Question
This song is still in its formative stages, but since I had a recording, I thought I'd throw it up. What's great about this song is its versatile application. Is it about a boy and his dog, his girl, or his frog? It's not really very clear, is it? Future editions of this song will include a trumpet line (of course) and better mastery of the guitar part--also perhaps a better voice if one is found.
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July 05, 2009
Joseph Smith Manual for iPod Nano
Follow this link to access chapter 33 of the Joseph Smith manual which has page-by-page files are viewable on an iPod nano, if you don't have or want to take the book to church. Why page-by-page? The nano limits how long a note can be and a page isn't too long while a chapter is. So, it's convenient to divide it up by page.
Joseph Smith Manual - nano
Joseph Smith Manual - nano
June 27, 2009
June 23, 2009
Dallan's Kitchen: Show #2
No meal is complete until its gone. As promised, here is the next edition of my cooking show. Today is a course in leftover delicacies. Enjoy! When many think of leftovers their hearts sink and their eyes glaze over. After this show, never again! Preparing leftovers gives you a second chance to create a masterpiece, building on what you've already done. Just remember, there wouldn't be leftovers if you'd gotten it right the first time. In cooking, there are always second chances.
June 12, 2009
Dallan's Kitchen: Show #1
Join me here in Portage Lakes Ohio for my weekly cooking show, where you'll learn all the tricks to cooking in a single man's kitchen. Please enjoy the show. Today's menu is rice and beans, with frozen vegetables.Edelweiss
I recorded this this morning/afternoon. It has become apparent that I need a microphone better suited to instruments. I have trouble getting it to be loud enough without crackling. I guess putting the webcam in a mute case, in a sock, in a scripture box, under the sink isn't going to cut it.
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download
June 11, 2009
HR 1207 - Why Audit the Fed?
DallanIR's purpose is not political, it is my personal webpage. The Fed got personal. When I was in economics just after my mission, I was wary of the Federal Reserve as I learned more about it. I didn't know how much power they actually had. I think this bill is a step in the right direction. This is "a ripe issue." Do we have a right to know where the Fed is spending our money? Wait...is this even our money--they didn't tax us to get it. They created it. They took value from all existing US Dollars--a silent tax, without representation--and did what with it?...well that's what we don't know. Congress doesn't currently have the right to know. That's what HR1207 is about--the right for Congress to audit the Fed in order to know what the Federal Reserve is doing with trillions of dollars, and to know what deals are being made with foreign countries with regards to our currency.
Visit Campaign for Liberty to know more.
June 02, 2009
A Night at the Beach
So, in contemplating possibly doing a triathlon sometime this summer, I decided I'd need to work on my swimming--since I've never really been a swimmer--and whatever swimming skills I may have developed (during my one summer of swimming lessons) have certainly deteriorated over the years (especially while on a mission).
My good and friendly neighbors which inhabit the lower level of the house where I'm renting told me a couple weeks ago, upon my asking, that you could swim at the state park. Well, that's only 10 minutes from my house, so, upon getting a text message asking if I was actually going to do an upcoming triathlon that I heard about after FHE last night, which text message I received when leaving the neighborhood hoop where I was practicing my left-handed layup--I decided I'd first need to find out if I could in fact swim after a manner worthy of, well, anything even resembling a competition.
Now, at this point you may be asking yourself two questions. 1) Why the run-on sentences? and 2) What was Dallan actually thinking when he went to the Beach? In the first paragraph he claims to need to work on his swimming skills and in the second, he goes to the beach in order to somehow evaluate his swimming ability. In the court of law, perhaps that indicates a shifting story, a fabrication, a lie. In a blog, it represents the ability of the human mind to have various and mixed ideas and even multiple motives and thoughts about the same action. Writing is an art, and tonight, I am the artist.
After reading about triathlons on Wikipedia--since I was confused about the website where I saw confusing categories for triathlete prizes--I got directions to the State Park and changed into my swimming suit and walmart-exercise-shirt. Soon I found myself deep into the state park, driving 10 mph behind other naturalists (those who delve into nature). At 8:30 pm, this was a surprise to find other entering the state park--and on a Tuesday night. In any case, I arrived to the hill near the water and parked in the lot.
An intimidating cool-night breeze wisped up to where I walked and I knew the water would be cold (a confirmation of something I could have guessed). I knew it was coming from the water because it was kind of cold, and water makes things cold, which water was obscured by trees and playground equipment. Soon I made my way down onto the beach and started to wade in. It was cold. It rained today, so it was also kind of murky with debris along the bank. But in I went, one step at a time, parallel with the bank. After about 20 minutes of side-winding into the water, I was finally frustrated enough that I finished getting in and swam for about 10 minutes. I found out that I am not a good swimmer. After about 10 or 20 feet (maybe 5), I have to stop, stand up, and rest. After swimming my predetermined distance, I ran along the shore, back and forth in ankle-deep water, to simulate running after swimming, like in a triathlon. (The ankle-deep part was to make my run seem more heroic--think of Chariots of Fire.) Then, nearly exhausted, I swinged on a swing (which made me feel kind of childish) and kicked around my soccer ball to dry off before going home.
At the end of any major event, there is value in asking, well, what did I learn? I learned that I can't swim very well. If I were to do a triathlon, I'd probably not make it out of the water having finished the prescribed route. I also learned that if I can have a pretty good time playing at the beach by myself, who knows how much fun I could have if I had some friends or family along.
My good and friendly neighbors which inhabit the lower level of the house where I'm renting told me a couple weeks ago, upon my asking, that you could swim at the state park. Well, that's only 10 minutes from my house, so, upon getting a text message asking if I was actually going to do an upcoming triathlon that I heard about after FHE last night, which text message I received when leaving the neighborhood hoop where I was practicing my left-handed layup--I decided I'd first need to find out if I could in fact swim after a manner worthy of, well, anything even resembling a competition.
Now, at this point you may be asking yourself two questions. 1) Why the run-on sentences? and 2) What was Dallan actually thinking when he went to the Beach? In the first paragraph he claims to need to work on his swimming skills and in the second, he goes to the beach in order to somehow evaluate his swimming ability. In the court of law, perhaps that indicates a shifting story, a fabrication, a lie. In a blog, it represents the ability of the human mind to have various and mixed ideas and even multiple motives and thoughts about the same action. Writing is an art, and tonight, I am the artist.
After reading about triathlons on Wikipedia--since I was confused about the website where I saw confusing categories for triathlete prizes--I got directions to the State Park and changed into my swimming suit and walmart-exercise-shirt. Soon I found myself deep into the state park, driving 10 mph behind other naturalists (those who delve into nature). At 8:30 pm, this was a surprise to find other entering the state park--and on a Tuesday night. In any case, I arrived to the hill near the water and parked in the lot.
An intimidating cool-night breeze wisped up to where I walked and I knew the water would be cold (a confirmation of something I could have guessed). I knew it was coming from the water because it was kind of cold, and water makes things cold, which water was obscured by trees and playground equipment. Soon I made my way down onto the beach and started to wade in. It was cold. It rained today, so it was also kind of murky with debris along the bank. But in I went, one step at a time, parallel with the bank. After about 20 minutes of side-winding into the water, I was finally frustrated enough that I finished getting in and swam for about 10 minutes. I found out that I am not a good swimmer. After about 10 or 20 feet (maybe 5), I have to stop, stand up, and rest. After swimming my predetermined distance, I ran along the shore, back and forth in ankle-deep water, to simulate running after swimming, like in a triathlon. (The ankle-deep part was to make my run seem more heroic--think of Chariots of Fire.) Then, nearly exhausted, I swinged on a swing (which made me feel kind of childish) and kicked around my soccer ball to dry off before going home.
At the end of any major event, there is value in asking, well, what did I learn? I learned that I can't swim very well. If I were to do a triathlon, I'd probably not make it out of the water having finished the prescribed route. I also learned that if I can have a pretty good time playing at the beach by myself, who knows how much fun I could have if I had some friends or family along.
May 31, 2009
Arrival to the Ohio
On May 1st around 2 am, after watching several episodes on YouTube of Will it Blend, Eldon and I left for Ohio, where I'd be left out of reach of the comforts of home and family. Arriving around 10:30 pm on the same day, Eldon and I found a temporary home at the Holiday Inn Express. That was Friday.
Saturday morning Eldon and I set off to find me a place to live. We began with high hopes, believing that having completed our long trek the previous day, we'd have success at finding a place to live having an entire day to look. With Stephanie's suggestions and the recommendations of the attendant at H.I. Express, we explored the greater Akron area, combing the streets for rental options.
We learned several things on that day. Complexes and most people really don't like to rent to less than 1-year or at the least 6-month tenants. Secondly, people if they do, they're going to charge a lot extra. Being Eldon's birthday and being kind of worn out, we ended the search having gotten a good feel for the area, turning down some less-than-desirable options (like 1 1/2 choices) but still having a few leads in the bag. At the very least, this provided a basic understanding of rental options so that when I did see the right one, I'd recognize it.
So, finishing the search, we went to Pizza Hut and got a pretty good pizza, after which we went to the H.I.E. That night, we also played some 1-on-1 at a church near the hotel at a goal we were able to lower to dunking height (not LDS). The game was pretty good, and after a long fight, Eldon won 102 to 100 by ones and twos. That was Saturday.
We had learned on Saturday that it was a Stake Conference Broadcast that Sunday at a different than usual time, since we stopped by the church the night before. Temples were emphasized. We showed up and afterwards began trying to make connections to provide a lead on housing. While I talked to the missionaries, Eldon made the critical connection, brother Hardy, which put me into contact with other attending single adults, which again, provided some housing leads, and more than anything, some hope. That night Eldon sent me off to the single-adult pre-CES broadcast activity and then the CES broadcast, spending the day alone while I met the singles here. Sunday ended and with it approached Eldon's sad departure.
Early Monday morning, Eldon and I drove to the Cleveland Airport where he boarded a plane back to Dallas-Fort Worth and I was left nearly alone--he left some CDs with me which, although somewhat repetitive, have provided hours and hours of driving entertainment. I got to the Hotel where I looked at the documents they'd given me to fill out before the first day of work. I was surprised to see that there was a lot to do. I quickly got ready then speedily worked through the documents. In this phase mom and dad fortunately answered the phone and dad helped me to fill out the W-2 tax form. I reported to work at 8:30 that morning and was oriented to Babcock and Wilcox, commonly referred to as B&W, in Barberton (also referred to by Eldon as Barbasol).
That night I had one final night at the HIE, notably more lonely without Eldon. Fortunately, there was FHE with the singles branch. In fact for the first 2 weeks, there was something probably 12 of the first 14 nights/days. Tuesday morning I packed all my belongings back into the car and went to work. Leaving work that day, I could make no wrong turn because I really had no destination. I was a wanderer.
Next issues: The Wanderer and Before Departure
Saturday morning Eldon and I set off to find me a place to live. We began with high hopes, believing that having completed our long trek the previous day, we'd have success at finding a place to live having an entire day to look. With Stephanie's suggestions and the recommendations of the attendant at H.I. Express, we explored the greater Akron area, combing the streets for rental options.
We learned several things on that day. Complexes and most people really don't like to rent to less than 1-year or at the least 6-month tenants. Secondly, people if they do, they're going to charge a lot extra. Being Eldon's birthday and being kind of worn out, we ended the search having gotten a good feel for the area, turning down some less-than-desirable options (like 1 1/2 choices) but still having a few leads in the bag. At the very least, this provided a basic understanding of rental options so that when I did see the right one, I'd recognize it.
So, finishing the search, we went to Pizza Hut and got a pretty good pizza, after which we went to the H.I.E. That night, we also played some 1-on-1 at a church near the hotel at a goal we were able to lower to dunking height (not LDS). The game was pretty good, and after a long fight, Eldon won 102 to 100 by ones and twos. That was Saturday.
We had learned on Saturday that it was a Stake Conference Broadcast that Sunday at a different than usual time, since we stopped by the church the night before. Temples were emphasized. We showed up and afterwards began trying to make connections to provide a lead on housing. While I talked to the missionaries, Eldon made the critical connection, brother Hardy, which put me into contact with other attending single adults, which again, provided some housing leads, and more than anything, some hope. That night Eldon sent me off to the single-adult pre-CES broadcast activity and then the CES broadcast, spending the day alone while I met the singles here. Sunday ended and with it approached Eldon's sad departure.
Early Monday morning, Eldon and I drove to the Cleveland Airport where he boarded a plane back to Dallas-Fort Worth and I was left nearly alone--he left some CDs with me which, although somewhat repetitive, have provided hours and hours of driving entertainment. I got to the Hotel where I looked at the documents they'd given me to fill out before the first day of work. I was surprised to see that there was a lot to do. I quickly got ready then speedily worked through the documents. In this phase mom and dad fortunately answered the phone and dad helped me to fill out the W-2 tax form. I reported to work at 8:30 that morning and was oriented to Babcock and Wilcox, commonly referred to as B&W, in Barberton (also referred to by Eldon as Barbasol).
That night I had one final night at the HIE, notably more lonely without Eldon. Fortunately, there was FHE with the singles branch. In fact for the first 2 weeks, there was something probably 12 of the first 14 nights/days. Tuesday morning I packed all my belongings back into the car and went to work. Leaving work that day, I could make no wrong turn because I really had no destination. I was a wanderer.
Next issues: The Wanderer and Before Departure
January 30, 2009
Taking a step back
So, this morning I took my statistics group test. We didn't seem to do very well on it. It is kind of annoying to not perform well. I took a quiz in thermodynamics and couldn't remember the equations I needed. So, I can't have done too well on that. So, that makes me not like "grades." So, I'm going to rebel against grades altogether and "show them" that I can master the materials with or without them. That's my plan. No more worries about grades--I'm just going to learn everything.
This semester has sure been a busy one. I've been working more hours and my classes are harder than last semester (not necessarily all more time consuming--but all more difficult). So, I like to get up and get to school early and not come home until I'm done at 9pm or 11pm or whatever, then I eat dinner. That way, at least when I'm home, I'm home and I'm done. I don't have to go back.
Last Wednesday night Paula and I went country swing dancing. It was pretty fun. Now, come to think of it, that's the closest thing to a date I've had this year. It was fun. Paula and I will have some new skills to show off if we go periodically.
Now, I've had a break and I'll get back to work.
This semester has sure been a busy one. I've been working more hours and my classes are harder than last semester (not necessarily all more time consuming--but all more difficult). So, I like to get up and get to school early and not come home until I'm done at 9pm or 11pm or whatever, then I eat dinner. That way, at least when I'm home, I'm home and I'm done. I don't have to go back.
Last Wednesday night Paula and I went country swing dancing. It was pretty fun. Now, come to think of it, that's the closest thing to a date I've had this year. It was fun. Paula and I will have some new skills to show off if we go periodically.
Now, I've had a break and I'll get back to work.
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