Dallan in Retrospect

A new piano

2011-04-27T13:11:00.000-07:00

I've wanted a piano for a long time. When Melissa S. told me of a deal at Costco on some pianos, I went and checked it out. I ended up getting this one. It has provided several hours of use and entertainment over the last few days and has even helped to entice the extended company of some friends.

This is what it looks like:

2003 Essay on D&E and the Prince Lawn Business

2010-06-16T10:22:00.000-07:00

I found this file dated December 1, 2003 and thought it was pretty fun. I'm surprised how good my writing was--I think I've only digressed from this time, my senior year of high school:

Today

Brought To You By Yesterday

As I look back on life, it is full of people and places, happy times and difficult times, and probably a lot of things I just can’t remember. Even still, I do remember the success of my first major business venture. It all started a very long time ago, and I might not remember many of the details perfectly, but on the whole, I suppose the story remains at least mostly accurate.

Before I begin, it would probably be helpful if I introduced the main characters. Of course, there is me. I was about nine years old when the story kicks off and was very ambitious. My brother Eldon was equally ambitious and about twelve years old. Joe was three years older than Eldon and won’t be mentioned until late in the story. My little sister was about six years old and ambitious but not old enough to get much done. My friend Daniel Walker lived about a thirty second run away in a red house and was pretty much willing to go along with anything. Also, the story is blurred in my mind over several summers which are merged together in one long strand.

D&E Lawn and Garden Service began as a very small private business. It consisted of Eldon and me. It was summer time and we were obviously hungry for something to do. It also seems we were a little bit money hungry. So, we thought of the perfect solution: D&E Lawn and Garden Service. We first found employment in our own backyard. Our mom had a small garden and we marketed our gardening services (apparently quite effectively) and our bid got the job. We watered and possibly picked a few tomatoes or something for her and made a few cents. This was nice, but judging from the fogginess of the details, it wasn’t all that exciting.

In time, things evolved and we became D&E Lawn Care (notice the word Garden was removed). We no longer took joy from the commerce of our own backyard. We then went public and got the watering job of the model home a few houses down the street. With our first big payment we bought a hose and a sprinkler. This coupled with my mom’s watering supplies made things move much faster. We equipped our bikes with a pull-along cart that we loaded with the hoses and sprinklers. Then about 5 or 6:00 am we’d load up and race out to work. We made a company shirt to complete the uniforms we wore on the job. It was good money, but we continued to expand.

We accidentally risked our lives (it’s a good thing it was a safety socket) to get the electrical accommodations we needed for our offices which were located in our bedroom. Meetings soon settled into a set pattern. They were first called to order. Then we’d go over the various business items and discuss our clients and would rate our performance with each client based off of a preset grading rubric. We each held about four offices ranging from Treasurer to Secretary to Public Relations Specialist to whatever else the company needed. Talk would also involve how to make more money and most exciting, how to spend company money.

As our company didn’t fit into a tax bracket, we proved that less taxes (or even no taxes) promotes business growth and productivity. Soon we had clients scattered over the whole neighborhood. We invested in new lawn equipment and even a stereo for the office. As our business grew, we decided to create more jobs--boost the economy. We figured that with another employee our profits would go up as we could do more work and be more efficient. We summoned Daniel Walker to one of our meetings and offered him a position in the company. He turned out to be a hard worker and things were great. Soon my little sister, Paula, wanted in. Sadly, we found her age yet lacking. We may have paid her to bring us drinks or something of that sort, but as my memory is foggy in the concern, it’s hard to tell.

Soon D&E outgrew its offices and we decided to upgrade. So, we moved up to the attic. We set up a desk and then proceeded to map out virtually every two-by-four and every corner in the whole attic. There was that small plot of ply-wood where we had situated the desk, but we were looking for something more spacious. It was adventurous charting the mysterious outer-regions of the enormous and danger-filled attic. We also considered two ways we could build alternate passageways to our new office, but we actually never did build anything substantial. We put up a sign and made a rope system so we could shut the pull-down ladder door while still in the attic. I don’t recall exactly how it happened, but D&E was sort of absorbed into the lawn business that an even older set of brothers had left behind. Eldon joined up working with Joe and I realized that I really did hate mowing lawns. I soon found out that my liking of it didn’t really matter much.

The Prince Lawn Care business had vision. They were working to buy a new piano. I helped them quite a bit that summer. When I realized what we were working for, I gave all my money back to Joe, and began helping even more. I wasn’t working for money but for a piano. I worked that whole summer and they estimated that I had earned about five-hundred dollars though I never saw the money since it was for the piano and I told Joe to just keep it. Joe was a hard task master. We’d get up and mow all Saturday long and not stop until it was dark. We obviously made a lot of money and with our money combined were able to purchase a nice piano that we all have enjoyed.

Looking back on the lawn saga (and other parts of my life too), I see that some of the happiest and most exciting times are when I have worked harder than I really wanted to. Even happier and more gratifying than the times that I’ve just worked really hard are the times I’ve worked really hard to build or create something neat--like D&E--or to earn something I really wanted--like the piano. The fun of it, though, is finding a good cause, big or small, and really engaging in trying to achieve it.

A New Summer

2010-06-09T15:44:00.000-07:00

2010 brings a completely new summer, in some ways a hybrid of three summers ago in Austin, two summers ago in Provo, and last summer in Ohio. Three summers ago, having just returned from my mission, I worked at Great Harvest Bread, mowed lawns and taught piano. Above all, I enjoyed living at home with family. Two summers ago I stayed at school, took classes and did research, having a fun summer party with Aaron H. and the ward at the Foxwood Apartments in Provo. Last summer after being escorted to Ohio by Eldon, I worked for B & W and lived a quite independent and solitary life, greatly enriched by my association with the singles branch there in Ohio, where I formed lasting friendships.

So, how does this summer combine the three? [3 yrs ago] This summer I'll be teaching piano lessons to some of John and Melissa's kids, I have family nearby, including Joe, Brittany, John and Melissa and Co. and enjoy seeing them as often as I can. [2 yrs ago] I'm living with Aaron H. again (as well as Cousin John Prince) and am at school doing research and taking classes, enjoying the ward. From superficial appearances, this is the closest match. [1 yr ago] This summer is reminiscent of Ohio in that I spend significantly more time alone, in personal pursuits--reading and writing--than I ever would have 2 years ago. These pursuits are habits originating from the Ohioan experience. They represent a shift in the direction of emotional independence.

Finally, Monday (June 7) represented the 3 year anniversary of returning home from my mission (on Mom's birthday). I could have never predicted these past 3 summers nor the life events of my last 3 years. Life seems quite unpredictable. The quote I've heard myself repeat a few times in the last few weeks is that you can prepare for life but not plan for it. The past few years have been good, but not what I was hoping for or envisioning as far as content goes.

Carbon Dioxide Cap-and-Trade Economic Impact

2009-10-28T21:16:00.000-07:00

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?

2009-10-28T20:45:00.000-07:00

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.

I Asked Myself This Question (take 3)

2009-07-24T12:11:00.000-07:00

This is a new version with trumpets (especially for Sara).

download

I Asked Myself This Question (take 2)

2009-07-24T11:47:00.000-07:00

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).

download

How far is too far?

2009-07-18T10:41:00.000-07:00

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

2009-07-18T06:52:00.000-07:00

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.

download

Joseph Smith Manual for iPod Nano

2009-07-05T07:52:00.001-07:00

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

Are We Related?

2009-06-27T09:47:00.001-07:00

It must run in the genes.

Dallan's Kitchen: Show #2

2009-06-23T18:06:00.000-07:00

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.

Dallan's Kitchen: Show #1

2009-06-12T15:18:00.000-07:00

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

2009-06-12T13:40:00.001-07:00

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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HR 1207 - Why Audit the Fed?

2009-06-11T15:11:00.000-07:00

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.

A Night at the Beach

2009-06-02T19:10:00.000-07:00

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.

Arrival to the Ohio

2009-05-31T16:35:00.000-07:00

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

Taking a step back

2009-01-30T10:16:00.000-08:00

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.

Successful Dating

2008-12-12T21:19:00.000-08:00

I was recently asked, “So why don't guys ask girls out more often? Sorry, we just had an enrichment activity that was a dating panel, and this question was asked, but I felt like there was not a good answer given...” I responded, “It varies from guy to guy, from time to time.” I went on to give a few reasons that have kept me or others from dating, so far as I saw it. But, these reasons boil down to having an enjoyable and successful dating experience. The fear of having a negative experience, or experiences that repeatedly end in disappointment, will make dating into drudgery and hopes for marriage into myth. Young men of the marrying age can have a productive, meaningful and successful dating experience as they date with wisdom and energy. Specifically, they will be most successful as they use good sense in forming dating habits according to an appropriate perspective, frequency and mode of dating. The details of these principles may be found meaningful to young women, but are primarily directed to young men.

Perspective on Girls and Dating
The way we see dating and the way we look at our dates has large sway over the quality of our dates. My roommate asked me one night, “If the church told you that you had to get married in a week for some special assignment, who would you choose?” One of us asked my sister the same question the next day. She responded, not with a name, but expressing that she would care less about how cute the boy was and more about what kind of boy he was. She said that she would approach dating very differently. We should probably all approach dating with more perspective. Perhaps as boys we don’t think very deeply about how deeply our wives will impact our lives. Your wife will help to define you—will represent you. Your wife will determine in large part who your children become; they will be like her. Your wife will be part of almost every household conversation. Your wife will be your partner in eternity and exaltation. She must be your equal and your companion. You must be a complementary pair. The attitude that we have toward the girls we date will influence who we date and finally marry.
How should we look at girls and dating? By what measure should we measure? While the tape measure is handy in making clothes, that’s never primarily been the man’s art. Values and essential characteristics: that is the measure—that is that tape—that is the whole nine yards. When we look at a girl—when we talk with a girl, we should probe for her values, we should identify in her the essential characteristics of a good wife. Richard G. Scott outlined the essentials as follows, “There is more to a foundation of eternal marriage than a pretty face or an attractive figure. There is more to consider than popularity or charisma. As you seek an eternal companion, look for someone who is developing the essential attributes that bring happiness: a deep love of the Lord and of His commandments, a determination to live them, one that is kindly understanding, forgiving of others, and willing to give of self, with the desire to have a family crowned with beautiful children and a commitment to teach them the principles of truth in the home.”1 These constitute a rock foundation for marriage, and they also direct our sights in the right direction when dating. On the same level, it is important that we are conscious of the values that those we date espouse—you will marry both. If you are in agreement on the things that you value most, your disagreements can be of little consequence. The most difficult disagreements come from difference on deeply-held values. It is important that the Spirit influences our perceptions and attractions. As we have the right perspective, we will be more likely to date girls with whom we can enjoy happiness in marriage (through the eternities) and more immediately, with whom we can enjoy a date or two, perhaps more.

Quantity and Frequency of Dates
Dating quantity (when there’s not enough of it) is detrimental to proper dating. You can’t date if you don’t date—it’s simple enough. So how much dating is enough dating? Charles B. Beckart counseled, “Experience the wonder of the weekly date. Not only does the much-recommended weekly date allow husband and wife to spend time in enjoyable activities together, it also sends the message that the relationship is important.”2 If it’s important in marriage, it is a must for single-adult dating, especially when the opportunities are abundantly available; weekly dates are not only important in order to expedite the “quest for a spouse,” they are essential for developing an active dating mindset. You’re not likely to find a spouse when you’re not talking to or meeting girls. When you buy a car, there is value in finding the best car at a price you can afford, both economically and for your peace of mind. If you know that you made a valiant effort in your car hunt, there should be no room for regret when there are problems with your car. Similarly, you can have greater confidence in a choice for marriage—when the time for asking comes—when you know that you have chosen carefully, having explored your options and acted accordingly. So, back to the original question, exactly how much dating is appropriate? Note how Dallin H. Oaks puts it, “Simple and more frequent dates allow both men and women to “shop around” in a way that allows extensive evaluation of the prospects.”3 Frequent. We should date frequently. That will yield the best experience.

Mode of Dating
It is important that we have good dates. If we enjoy it, we’ll do it again. Our dates should have a few qualities so that they’re good and sustainable. First dates are a great way to get to know someone in a noncommittal way (besides for the time commitment). Because we are counseled to date a variety of people frequently, until we enter the realm of courtship, we are better off with more dates rather than longer dates. I feel bad for the girl who accepts a date invitation only to find herself on a dating-marathon. If there is time in an evening for six hours of dating, perhaps we should divide it between two or three girls, avoiding the eternal date. A good first date should allow a couple to get to know each other one-on-one. There should be time to talk and interact. An activity should encourage interaction. Displaying affection should be far from the focus of a first date.
Dating in general must balance several aspects. The meat of dating is coming to understand another person through talking and interacting. Affection and romance should be restrained from whiting out the entire relationship. Sharing affection should have a place in dating, but it can short-circuit the development of a deeper more significant relationship if left unchecked. President Benson and his wife Flora provide a template for dating. His biographer described their dating, writing that they “talked for hours, exploring their feelings about a future together. … The more they talked, the more comfortable they felt with each other.”4 Quoting President Benson, “I discovered in Flora a great character and a rare combination of virtues.”5 If we are to recognize essential qualities in a girl (like those discussed in the perspective section) we must date in a way that allows us to see them. Our dating activities will set the stage upon which we will get to know a girl.

Finally, you can’t grow a garden by reading a book. Elder Oaks encapsulates my closing sentiment, “Start with a variety of dates with a variety of young women, and when that phase yields a good prospect, proceed to courtship. It’s marriage time.”6 Exaltation cannot be gained without temple marriage, and right dating is a vital step for that. So, plant a few garden seeds, go on a few dates. Water the soil with a few more dates, and then see which garden plant you will attempt to harvest through courtship. As young men use wisdom in their dating perspective and in their frequency and mode of dating, they will find more success and joy as life and dating happily roll along. Young men can have a more productive, meaningful and successful dating experience as they enthusiastically tend to their dating garden as wise and dutiful gardeners.

What's new in the swing of things

2008-09-17T20:42:00.001-07:00

School is swinging back and will be hitting hard especially as tests begin to stack up. So what's new this year? For one thing, I'm not probably doing quite as well in school. Also, I'm taking time to work, to have a little fun with Paula, Devin and roommates. I'm visiting Joe and Brittany a little more often, and making use of Joe's years of dating experience by receiving dating counseling from him and Brittany, and I'm getting seven hours of sleep each night. Well, it's back to homework!

Moving On

2008-09-07T16:11:00.000-07:00

Well, it's a new semester and a new apartment, even a new ward. It has been fun to have Paula nearby. She's cooked me dinner a few times and I hope she's found me nearly as helpful as she is. The new ward seems relatively friendly although it seems very big after having been in a smaller summer ward in which it is easy to get to know and be friends with a majority of the ward.

For the dating update, yesterday night I went on a date with a girl who invited me to go see Prince Caspian. It was a double and the movie was very entertaining. I would readily recommend it to any who haven't yet seen it. She actually had paid for me in advance. They were $1 tickets. So that was very nice of her. I hope she enjoyed the movie as much as I did.

On my own initiative, I did go to the MTC in response to an email asking for help at the teaching center where missionaries teach outsiders like myself. That was yesterday. I was first paired with a nice kid Rob from Las Vegas. After the first phase when the missionaries "took us to church on a bus" we had ten minutes to wait for them to plan their lesson and come visit us. During that time, a nice girl named Brittany, from Washington, was added to the room and we got to know her. She is a music education major, which I think is actually longer than Chemical Engineering and is also working to save money. Perhaps that is why after I emailed her (using the BYU directory to get her email address) she said she was too busy to bike to the creamery with me or anything. But, I'll give it another shot in a week or so.

That's the update.

A Nice Saturday

2008-05-31T21:49:00.000-07:00

Today was a nice day. I woke up late (getting out of bed about 9:15) and made eggs and bacon. I did alright. I cleaned up in the kitchen for a bit then went to school to do physics. At about 12:45 I headed home.

I recently got in touch with a friend from pre-school and had been able to schedule lunch with her (Tammy). Although I lost her address (it was erased), I remembered the name of the apartments. Knocking on a door I thought might be hers I found someone who had a directory to see where she lived. It was fun to see my friend from so long ago. Whatever familiarity was lost through the years was compensated for in the quality of food. Tammy had some good cinnamon bread made and also a good dough for pizza (it was wheat). So, we just needed a few things from the store. We biked to Smith's and got pepperonies and a few other toppings and whatever then rode home. She seemed to know what she was doing while we made the pizza and that was confirmed upon eating it. She's a neat and nice girl. I'll have to see if she wants to play frisbee or anything in the future.

This evening I went shopping with Eldon and Stephanie and Sophie. That was fun. Eldon and I have a new Navy Seal-level shopping exercise that we can show any who are interested. It involves standing on the front of the other's cart while pushing your own. While this may sound easy, you should try it. It is especially hard when the pusher stops you.

We're making progress at work, which is good. It will be fun to have Paula around next semester.

Plowing before Planting

2008-05-21T21:33:00.000-07:00

For those interested to know the progress of my social life, I shall give a brief report. On Sundays we have gone out of our natural routine and invited people over for get-to-know-you games and for treats after ward prayer (on Sunday night in many BYU wards, the ward, which all lives within a block or two, gets together to sing a hymn, have a spiritual thought, make announcements, and get to know each other by introducing an apartment and then just talking). We were assigned to get to know some apartments this week, particular apartments. So, Jamie, one of my roommates, went to go visit our assignments. On our last assigned stop we found the three girls home. We had a good talk with the three of them that lasted about 1 1/2 hours. It was pretty fun. We laughed and seemed to get along. A funny point: on Sunday in Sunday school I came in and there were two girls sitting to the edge of a row leaving two open seats. I asked if I could have the seat nearest them and they said okay. So, I talked to them both, and it was interesting that one was from Round Rock (Austin). Well, she didn't really seem to me to want to talk to me on Sunday, so I didn't invite her for games or anything. Well, upon visiting her apartment I wasn't quite sure she was herself (no glasses and different hair-do) but once all three were there, I knew it was. Well, we were getting to know each other and she asked where I was from. Obviously she didn't remember who I was or didn't remember our comments about Austin and me knowing boys from her ward. Well, I responded to her question by saying, Well, I know you're from Austin. Then all clicked and she recognized me as the boy who sat by her at church. So, maybe I'll go running with her or something. Who knows. But, all the girls there were very nice, one was engaged. I enjoyed asking them about their dating lives and experiences (the two are just plain single) so it was fun to ask a few sort of awkward questions. We left on good terms. Well, I'll be getting up early tomorrow for another day of fun and learning and work and homework, and physics test and chemistry lab write-ups.

Summer Term

2008-05-16T16:53:00.000-07:00

The summer term has been especially busy for me. I'm taking six credits which is the minimum number to qualify as a full-time scholarship-eligible student. My classes are Physics 220 -Electricity (3 credits), Organic Chemistry Lab (2 credits), and Judaism and the Gospel (1 credit). The most stressful seems to be the O-chem Lab. We are in class for 14-15 hr/week. Then it requires about 5-6 hours out of class each week (at least). Then our teacher advised us we'd need 20 hours a week out of class at least to manage the class. My religion class takes about 2 hours/week. I'm also working on average 15-17 hours/week. Then I'm in Physics 6 hours/week and religion 2 hours/week. So, that adds up to 68 hours/week. Then you have to add meal time and laundry, and writing this blog. Then after adding my visits to Joe&Brittany and Eldon&Stephanie, in which time I often just do homework, plus some minimal social time, I've found myself extremely busy. On Monday I got up at 4:00am to do homework due at 8am and 10am. Today I got up at 6:00am. Yesterday I went to bed at 1:00am. I slept in on Thursday for a break until about 7:15 or so--I don't really remember. But, I look forward to the summer term of 40 hours work weeks and that's it. Well, I'm going to go do my physics lab and then go eat dinner, then maybe I'll play or do homework. I've recognized the truth in Melissa's comment that blogs are more interesting when there are entries written.

Finals Fun

2008-04-18T18:31:00.001-07:00

This week has been a busy one (which isn't unusual). I've been taking and preparing for finals. There really just isn't time to appropriately prepare for each final. If I was actually dating, it would be even more complicated, although perhaps more fun. There has been a little excitement in this pretty dull time.

For three nights we've had a hit and runner leave little things, a quarter, a penny in an egg, one brownie, one cookie. This has gone on for about three nights. The first night I wasn't home when it happened. The second night we were too slow getting to the door to catch them. They came twice. The third night, this mystery person came and I bolted out the door, but didn't go the right direction. But, hopefully tonight, if they come again, I will chase them down and catch them. Once I catch them, I'll let them go. So, that's been kind of fun to get a late night run looking for this person.

I already took my religion and jazz history finals. The religion went really well, and the jazz history was a little unsure. Well, I'm going to go ahead and work on my Chemical Engineering study so that I can do OK on the final. I wish that I had something a little more exciting to report back, but I really don't.

Goodnight.

My Blog

2008-04-11T23:00:00.001-07:00

This is my personal blog. This blog is focused on me and I figured I would have more to say about the past than the future, so, my life in Retrospect seemed to be a good foundation for the blog. Of course, the past is meaningless without a future--so the title isn't designed to limit my perspective to the past only. Hopefully this will be useful to family to know what I'm up to or to Devin and Chase when it's getting late and I'm not home yet--so that they don't worry.

Frisbee training with Joe and Eldon went well today. We not only practiced catching and throwing, but we worked on our sprinting long passes. We then had dinner, prepared by the women (specifically, Brittany held Sophie and Stephanie cooked). The food was very good and then I finished my laundry. I didn't do it last week because of conference, so it was good. I'd been wearing all of my socks for the second time this week. I smelled them each morning and they smelled alright. I guess if you only wear them one day in seven, they have time to deodorize and smell alright with each wearing. Two questions for grandma: In your childhood, were socks washed with each wearing or did you wash them less often? Or, is that even something important enough to remember 80 years later? Assignment for Paula, Mom, Dad, John or Melissa: Help grandma to post her first reply to a blog.

That's all for tonight. I now understand why some people use blogs instead of diaries. Ann Frank wrote "Dear Kitty"--addressing her entries to some real or imaginary cat named Kitty that would never read her diary. When writing a public entry, I can imagine that some family member or person will read my entry and so that gives me an audience that is more realistic than a Kitty. So, I hope from time to time you all have the chance to check in on me. This isn't to replace phone calls to me, or letters.