Two parts light and fluffy, one part dark and twisty...

Dreams

2010-03-27T10:42:00.002-06:00

Last night I had two dreams, one where I was in a mall full o' zombies that chased Joe, Una, and I up a twisty slide to nowhere...then we had to run back down, Una got free and the zombies ate her. Second, a dream about Joe and I moving in with Jim and Pam from the Office. Wierd.

I know this doesn't count as a post

2009-11-08T19:22:00.003-06:00

But I wanted to share this with people:

Talking Animals

2009-10-07T11:35:00.000-06:00

Help a sister out...

2009-10-06T20:14:00.002-06:00

My sister has a project that she is undertaking for the Oklahoma Visual Arts Coalition. She has to test a concept for an art project and she needs our help.

All you have to do is go to her web site and follow the directions. Come on, help a sister out!

Guest Post by Sir Walter

2009-09-29T17:43:00.000-06:00

My first thought when I saw the brussel sprouts in their container was "wait- that's totally not what I thought they were". My second thought was "Wow! They're little cabbages!" I enjoy minature food, as most americans do. Mini burgers, mini pizzas, mini muffins, and broccoli (mini trees) to name only a few. I think it makes me feel bigger then I actually am, like some sort of hungry giant. Side note: Why are mini burgers frequently called "sliders"? It sounds like a colon crisis. Was "mini burgers" not satisfactory? I digress.

Anyway I really enjoyed the brussel sprouts even though Casie and Joe gave them only a "meh". However, my positive response may have had a lot to do with the accompanying nuts and craisins. Anyways, I would eat them again, preferably as part of a mini feast featuring as many mini foods as possible- followed by destroying a pre-arranged lego village. Also all the lego villagers would have their heads replaced with marshmallows and milk duds that I would eat while laughing with a deep voice. And I've gone too far with that. Good night.

-Walt

So, beets...

2009-09-14T14:02:00.002-06:00

I know I said was going to keep this blog updated with all the exciting and up to date veggie trial news but the beets weren't too interesting. I made a raw beet, feta, and pear salad that required a great deal of julienne-ing on my part, so it felt very labor intensive for a cold salad. Also the whole thing ended up pink probably due to over vigorous stirring on my part. In the end, it was pretty tasty and once I get a mandolin (or I am in the mood to cut a bitch) I will make it again.

As an aside, plain stand-alone raw beets have a faint hint of vomit in there flavor and I would not recommend them. It seems that the preferred method for beet consumption is roasted so at some point this week I will probably roast the two left over beets I have hanging out in the fridge.

This week I just realized I have brought home two new veggies. Brussel sprouts which I have eaten one previous time in my life when I was maybe 7 and fennel which I have personally never worked with but I am pretty sure I have tasted at some point. I am actually going to subject Walter to the brussel sprouts the first night of his visit so maybe we we'll have a guest vegetable post. Well, hope everyone has a good week, I am off to clean the bathrooms.

VegExperiment '09

2009-09-06T10:32:00.002-06:00

I grew up eating carrots, celery, corn, and peas. That pretty much sums up my childhood vegetable exposure.

As I have grown up and my palette has matured slightly I have begun venturing into farther reaches of the vegetable spectrum. At restaurants, I will order dishes with more outlandish vegetable mixes, and at home I have become slightly more adventurous, adding spinach, edamame, broccoli, asparagus, and zucchini as recurring characters in my cooking life. I have not however, by any means become a veggie expert. And this is what I intend to do. Thus begins the VegExperiment of 2009.

Each week when Joe and I do the shopping I am going to pick a vegetable from the produce section that I have never cooked with and fix something with it. I decided that produce products I had previously eaten but never cooked would still qualify although I think I am going to start with those that I have never even tasted.

This all started last week when Joe and I did our weekly grocery shopping at 1:30 in the morning and the produce section was looking pretty picked over. So, I bought some kale since it looked the freshest. Then I had to figure out what to do with it.

Many patients who I told the kale purchasing story to tryed to scare me away from the leafy green, but I stood my ground and Joe and I ended up having a very delightful pasta dish made with kale, chickpeas, and pinenuts, which we both agreed we would eat again. Was pretty tasty, the kale wasn't difficult to use, and I was inspired. So this week I am trying beets. We'll see how that goes.

Quick Question

2009-09-03T15:03:00.001-06:00

Anyone ever made bread pudding?

Grocery Shopping

2009-09-03T13:39:00.002-06:00

Let's start with a little background info about my grocery shopping habits:

In order to save money and be more efficient, Joe and I make a weekly shopping trip. Before we go, I plan all the dinners we will be cooking throughout the week. Then we try to head to Walmart early enough on Sunday morning that most of the Springfield residence are still in church. If we sleep in to late, Walmart is crowded, crazy, and an all around crappy place to be. Then, if a trip to somewhere fancier is needed, like the natural food store or Sam's Club, we do that as well.

This method has saved us money and lends itself to eating healthier because we eat out less. The one drawn back is on Sunday, I am never busy and often feeling very ambitious when it comes to culinary adventures and sometimes weekday Casie gets very angry at Sunday Casie for signing her up to cook all manner of craziness. As a sidenote, weekday Casie always appreciates Sunday Casie's baking.

All of that info to ask, what are your grocery shopping philosophies/habits? Any grocery shopping insights to share?

Never Buy Dressing Again

2009-09-01T11:38:00.003-06:00

Our fridge is full of condiments. In general, we have more condiments than actual food. Even after my recent great refrigerator purging, the door of the fridge is stuffed with various food accessories. May of the aforementioned condiments are salad dressings. Or were I should say, as I have vowed never to purchase dressing again.

This vow took place after a recent foray into making ranch dressing. I had previously made a variety of vinaigrettes, but never thought that the creamy dressings were easily within my grasp. With ranch being my staple salad dressing and go to veggie dip, I never thought I could break free of the condiment chains that shackled me (food is very dramatic you see). But I did, and you should too! The ranch I made was far superior to the normal variety I buy at the store. Make some, try it! Here is the recipe that I used:

Ingredients:

1/2 c. buttermilk
1/2 c. mayo
1/2 c. sour cream
1/2 tsp. dried parsley
1/2 tsp. dill
1/2 tsp. dried chives
1/4 tsp garlic powder*
1/4 tsp onion powder
salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:
1. Mix all the ingredients together.

So, my general policy is to not attempt the super low fat version of a dish if I am serving it for the first time to strangers. Therefore, my first run through of the recipe I made a full fat version, because it was for a party and I didn't want it to suck. Today, for myself, I made it with fat free mayo, fat free sour cream, and 1% buttermilk. I actually liked the lower fat version better. Also, if you don't want to buy buttermilk (though I recommend it) you can replace the buttermilk with more mayo.

Try some yourself and free yourself from the tyranny of bottled dressing.

*if you like garlic add more, I did although I wouldn't recommed more than double that amount.

Lack of Posts

2009-08-31T14:09:00.002-06:00

Wow, Joe and I suck at blogging. I guess we will never be able to quite our jobs and live off of the advertisement money. There goes my plan for retirement.

As many of you know I am working only part time, emphasis on the part and not time lately, and so I have a lot of free time on my hands. To fill up my day I have been consuming a great deal of media; movies, tv, books, and the like. I also have been baking/cooking for fun. So that brings me to the question: Would you be more interested in posts that review movies/books or posts about my cooking adventures? Let me know what you guys think.

Random thoughts for the evening

2009-07-28T23:27:00.003-06:00

I just got my cousin's wedding invitation in the mail. The wedding is quickly approaching and it looks like I am the only one that will be able to attend. It struck me that this will be the first time that I will have been in a Catholic church in probably 15 years. I am looking forward to this re-entry into a territory that seems strangely alien to me, despite my early years attending mass fairly regularly.

As a side note, connected by no other path than the chronology of the evening, everyone who reads this blog should check out Avatar: The Last Airbender. This is a Nickelodean cartoon that is strikingly good. The plot is interesting, the characters are deeper than you would expect and well developed, and there is a 10-ton, six-legged, flying bison. Enough said.

Mental Image

2009-04-09T13:17:00.002-06:00

I just got a mental picture of the Fox executives sitting around a table talking about Dollhouse when one of them says, "you know, last time we cancelled one of Whedon's shows it didn't work out so well..."

Extra Cash

2009-04-07T07:41:00.002-06:00

My job is unreliable in the hours department, and I am sick of being perpetually stressed about whether or not I am going to make enough money this week. Unfortunately now is not the best time to be looking for work. So I ask the internet: Any suggestions on how I can make a little cash on the side? Remember that I am unwilling to do anything illegal, naked, or that involves sales.

I judge your chili harshly!!!

2009-02-22T00:45:00.002-06:00

I realized today that there are very few things in this world that I am more judgmental about than Chili. Let me explain...

Casie and I went to a chili cook off. The even started at 11:00 in the morning and there were about 30-40 participants. Both the top and bottom levels of the local expo center were filled with booths serving out all sorts of Chili, two live bands, and lots of places to get some beer.

While tasting the various chili, I found myself passing very harsh judgment on a lot of the different chili. Some were too thin and soup-like while others lacked essential spices that give that quintessential chili flavor. I walked away from this even with a few pearls of wisdom:

1. The investigative reporting team at KY3 couldn't manage to investigate themselves up a descent chili recipe and instead served chili-esque soup.

2. The chemistry department actually makes some pretty good food...as disturbing as that is.

3. Signing a waver to eat some food is just too troublesome for me.

4. Stripper chili is just inheritly off-putting.

5. "Chili cook off" is code for "an excuse to start drinking at 11:15"

Interesting Fact of the Day

2009-02-06T09:13:00.001-06:00

In case you all were wondering, Jesus Hates Zombies.

Two Sentence Documentary Reviews

2009-02-04T09:07:00.003-06:00

Yesterday, I watched three documentaries and thought I would let you all know what I thought of them.

Bigger, Stronger, Faster: Interesting perspective on steroids and America's attitude toward both the drug and winning/competition. I did not know a great deal of the information presented and was interested to learn new facts about steroids.

Bonus: Learned about the craptasticness that is the supplement industry as well as other kinds of doping among musicians, students, and porn stars.

Side Note: Did people really seriously believe that pro-wrestling was real?

Small Town Gay Bar: Looks at life in a small town in a gay community, focusing the attention on several gay bars in the deep south. Nothing to revolutionary in this one, just interviews with people during which you learn it is, suprise, hard to be gay in a small town in the south.

Bonus: There is a fundamentalist pastor, Fred Phelps, whose extreme statements about Gods feelings on gay people are entertaining...but sad, because people believe them.

Side Note: I wish I had me some drag queen friends, even in rural Mississippi these ladies had a great attitude.

Lake of Fire: Intense yet even handed look at the abortion debate in America containing opinions from a wide variety of people on both sides of the debate. Not for the squimish as the film shows footage/images of actual abortion procedures, fundamentalist propaganda films, crime scene photos of murdered doctors, and images of women who died during illegal "coat hanger" abortion procedures.

Bonus: This is the first documentary I have ever watch that the filmmakers opinion wasn't immediately apparent so I applaud him.

Side Note: I am deeply afraid to live in a country where fundamentalists (of an kind...in this case Catholic and Christian) gain power.

ITS CUTE....aww..

2009-01-28T19:26:00.002-06:00

Casie showed this to me when she got home from work today. Just watch. Its worth it...

ANGER, with extra ERRRRRRRRRRRR!

2009-01-27T11:10:00.002-06:00

I just needed to vent at the ridiculousness that is health insurance.

Lately as some of you know, I have been going to get allergy shots. I began the treatment in December, with an initial visit to the Allergy/Asthma specialist that included an allergy test, a breathing test, and a visit with the physician. Our health insurance payed for all of these things.

Then, the following week, I had a visit with the doctor, during which I receive my first set of two injections and was monitored by the nurses to make sure I had no adverse reaction to the shots. The insurance payed for that.

Every week there after I have been going into the doctor's office to receive two injections, which as you may have guessed, the insurance pays for, in full.

Guess what they don't pay for.....the bottle of allergens that they are injecting me with...WTF???

2

2008-12-22T10:40:00.002-06:00

"2?" you may be asking yourself. "Did I miss 1, and is there a 3 forthcoming? Would this 1, 2, and 3 be part of a list that may, in fact, extend beyond the boundary of a mere 3?"

This is not a post about a list. Nor is this a post that will be followed by a post on "3." This post is merely an outpouring of my outrage that the weather has the audacity to dip to the temperature of "2." I have been outside when it was 7, which I found quite offensive already, but this temperature of 2 is simply unacceptable. Why 2 degrees? What is accomplished at 2 that is not accomplished at 30, besides my outrage?

...And I have to walk to the dog!!!!

List

2008-10-21T18:07:00.002-06:00

Due to my lack of hobbies, part-time employment, and completion of school I find myself with more free time than I have had in a long time.

Turns out I am not a fan of free time.

Joe has started writing a list of things for me to do on our whiteboard so that whenever he calls and I whine that I am bored he will refer me to said list. Currently, the list consists of "untangle jewelry" (some of my necklaces got tangled when we moved here) and "fold socks." Sounds exciting, no? Because the list is so thrilling I thought I might query our readership for further list worth items. Any suggestions?

A quick post that requires little to no work on my part...

2008-10-19T13:19:00.004-06:00

So I was talking to Walter and he directed me the following video...

But I thought that everyone should be exposed to the following creepy-fantasticness:

Side note: How do you like the new layout and style of our blog? I didn't know it had changed either. I think I like it. Good job Casie!!!!

Nothing Interesting to Say

2008-09-30T10:45:00.003-06:00

Seriously I have nothing interesting to say. I have been instructed/urged to more frequently update this website by a few bored family members but I, I repeat, have nothing interesting to say. Logically then, I should not be writing a blog post. But, because someday I wish to be full of daily insights and witty stories about my wonderful life, I don't want the three people who check this blog to give up on me therefore...I must post something....

hmmm.....

ummm....

Well, I continue to have crazy dreams....I will tell you about the latest:

In this dream I was driving to Tennessee (why?) and had to drive up through Kansas City (would I go through KC to get to Tennessee?). On my drive, I was distracted because Joe was cheating on me with someone hooch named Ann (what?). Luckily, I had my faithful Garmin to keep me on track, you know, because I had to get to Tennessee. Suddenly, out of nowhere, as I am driving down the highway, with no previous warning, Garmins says, "Turn right here." And of course, I miss the turn. Puzzled at Garmin's lack of previous warning I think, "no big deal, I will make a u-turn at the next off ramp," when suddenly the road ends and I go flying off the edge of the road into a lake (which by the way, had not previously been there). As my car was sinking into the lake and I struggled to get out (which I couldn't) all I could think about was that Joe was going to be mad at me for recking the car.

WTF???

Maybe I will start posting all my crazy dreams, then a fabulous psychologist will stumble upon this blog and let me know what they all were about/what is wrong with me. Until then, you all better hope something interesting happens to me or you are going to continue to get crap-tastic post such as this one.

This ones for the nerds....(Walter)

2008-09-06T16:35:00.002-06:00

How many super super-saiyans does it take to screw in a light bulb?

Just 1...
but it takes 30 episodes.

Thank you! I'll be here all week!
(I over heard some nerds talking and one of them told this joke)

Poverty saves you all...

2008-08-13T21:39:00.006-06:00

Everyone should be very happy that I am not rolling in expendable cash right now. "Why?" you may ask. Why indeed...

While perusing for someone's birthday present recently (I'll not mention any names but their initials are Seng Tang) I came across some of the most wondrous things to give a person ever:

Wondering what the hell that is? Heres the explanation.

Thats right, if I was rolling in cash everyone would have a cardboard cutout of something.

Whats that you say? The red ranger isn't your style? Well maybe your would rather Barack Obama?

Clearly,
John McCain seems like a party animal.

I know, I know. Politics is poor taste. It just leads to fist fights. Never fear though. I have the solution. The best part about the Troy Bolton cardboard cutout? The description:

This is your chance to celebrate with your friend Troy Bolton at East High, no auditions necessary. Your party will rock like no other!

If your still reading this, you have my admiration for restraining yourself from purchasing any of these fine cardboard cutouts yourself. Especially Troy (your party would rock like no other).

Quote of the Day

2008-07-24T11:04:00.002-06:00

"It's sort of funny that destitute rhymes with prostitute" --Walter

Cute Overload Commentary

2008-07-23T18:31:00.005-06:00

This image (which I totally stole from Cute Overload) elicited the following comment from Joe: "That's like a single serving of cat."

Walk of Shame?

2008-07-22T12:15:00.003-06:00

It is one o'clock here in the Ozarks and I just returned to our apartment parking lot after a lovely lunch with Joe. As I pull into a parking space a twenty-something year old lad crosses my path. Fashionably, for early afternoon, he is wearing pajama pants, a "tuxedo" t-shirt (on backwards), and Adidas slider sandals. In his hands he holds his wallet, car keys, and a bra. The bra was folded in a way that suggests he was trying to hide the undergarment's true identity but it was definitely a bra (and not his size either). Wonder where he was going?

The Dark Knight Part II

2008-07-21T15:02:00.004-06:00

Last nights post about The Dark Knight was reactionary to say the least. Not that the feelings have dissipated, by all means, if you haven't seen it yet run to the theater. But, Joe noted that I have not reviewed any films recently and maybe I should put together a review of this one. Unfortunately I am still brimming too full with nerdy pleasure about Batman's latest adventures to write something decent. Instead I have put together a list of the things that I liked about the film and the things that I didn't (of which there are few). I encourage everyone who read this to add their thoughts in the comments and maybe we can start a lively Batman themed discussion.

Things I liked:

Heath Ledgers performance: The Joker was actually believable and scary, which I never thought could happen. All the little ticks he put into the character, the walk, the voice, all of it amounted to a great villain and a great performance. He made that character his own and will henceforth be the Joker.
The realism: Superhero movies often give up on trying to make us believe that these things could actually happen and instead run with the crazy, colorful world of a comic book. The Dark Knight happens in a believable world that feels real.
The new Batsuit: I have always thought it was dumb that batman couldn't turn his head.
The dark story: I don't want to give anything away--so go see it.
Batman's imperfections: Batman/Bruce Wayne is a normal guy. Not someone with super powers and he is flawed. Unlike Superman, physically he can be beaten and emotional, well, dude has issues. I like that. People aren't perfect and I enjoy seeing movies that deal with the characters emotions and flaws.
New Rachel: Maggie Gyllenhaal gave Rachel a little more personality than she had in the last movie
Christian Bale: Really just because I like Christian Bale
Alfred: Michael Caine's character added some levity to the film.
Harvey Dent: Good character/preformance to contrast with Batman/Wayne's.
The special effects: I realized that I didn't notice the CGI

Things I didn't like:

Christian Bale's Batman Voice: I thought it was annoying in the first movie and continue to be annoyed with it this time. I understand that giving Batman a different voice helps cover up his secret identity. I get it. I just don't like it.

The Dark Knight

2008-07-20T21:15:00.001-06:00

THAT MOVIE KICKED ASS!!!! GO SEE IT RIGHT NOW.

Seriously, what are you still doing sitting here. Go.

Humidity

2008-07-18T08:32:00.001-06:00

Moisture in the air,
Heavy like a wet blanket,
Summer in Springfield.

Facebook/Myspace

2008-07-16T11:56:00.003-06:00

Although I have not, in the past, been a fan of the social networking sites, I have been looking around Facebook lately (Meghan my monsters are so going to kill yours) and have noticed something. Many, many people have these sort of deep-thoughtful-artistic looking pictures of themselves as their profile image. This has made me wonder where do they get them/why do they have them?

When I went to select a profile image, I realized that first off, I hardly have any pictures of myself. Secondly, the ones I do have are bad and/or with other people. I ended up selecting a picture I took of myself to show my sister my new hair cut--the photo is neither deep nor artistic--as my photo.

Anyway, it was just an observation that I thought maybe someone might be able to shed some light on.

If You Haven't Heard Already

2008-07-16T11:19:00.002-06:00

Joss Whedon and company have put together a super villain musical in starring Neil Patrick Harris as Dr. Horrible and Nathan Fillion as his archnemesis, Captain Hammer. It is being posted in four parts at Dr. Horrible's Sing-a-Long Blog for the next few days and will be taken down on the 20th. I highly recommend it if you are a fan of Joss, super heros, musicals or like me, all of the above.

Why World of Warcraft is so addictive.

2008-07-15T10:52:00.002-06:00

Recently one of our friends and Joe have been harassing me to make a character on World of Warcraft (and no, I won't call it WoW). So, after my test yesterday I needed something to do and I signed up for a ten day free trial--and now I understand why it is so addictive.

The addictive nature of the game is not because it is any more fun than any other game that I have played (sorry) but rather, the game keeps you going because there is no logical stopping point, none whatsoever. Unlike many other games I have played, there are no levels to complete, no save points to reach, nothing. You cannot say, "I will go to bed at the end of this level." Instead you are perpetually involved in completing a variety of tasks. And once you finish one, you are usually give two more. It never ends and messes with my need to complete things.

Wish Me Luck

2008-07-14T09:50:00.004-06:00

I take my licensure test in two hours. I am way less prepared that I had hoped to be. I am going to fail (that might be the nerves talking...but it might not be.) Don't be too hard on me when I have to take this bugger again.

I think I'm going to go puke now.

Update: Well, the test questions weren't as complex as the practice tests that I was taking. That HOPEFULLY bodes well for me.

Cats

2008-07-09T15:59:00.004-06:00

Although Joe and I are not cat owners, many of our friends and family have cats. For you all I present the following:

You Learn Something New Every Day

2008-06-13T13:04:00.004-06:00

After living in Springfield for over two years, I have discovered something new and exciting. Springfield, MO is home to an amazing landmark. Behold! The world's largest fork!

And, of course, you cannot forget your fork etiquette.

For My Office Loving Friends...

2008-06-12T15:01:00.001-06:00

Ten bonus points if you can identify the movie that the voice over is from.

Wasting Time and Space

2008-06-11T11:27:00.001-06:00

Not much is going on, but I feel the need to post since it has been a while. Currently I am in on the hunt for a job but, no matter how diligent I am, job hunting isn't a full time job. I therefore have more time on my hands than normal. After finishing every possible piece of literature in the house, I have resulted to internet surfing to keep my mind occupied. During all this searching I have discovered hulu. This site has streaming TV shows and movies for free. After watching an 30 sec advertisement, you can watch TV shows such as The Office, The Daily Show, and many more. The site also has a few full length movie. Looks like I have found a way to spend at least a few more hours.

Shmeat...Its whats for Dinner!!!?

2008-05-20T22:38:00.009-06:00

We all know and love SPAM. The meat of meats as I like to call it. No matter what the recipe calls for, SPAM is always an option as a replacement. Its this can-do attitude that earned SPAM a place in the heart of our nation. And why not? Its delicious, nutritious, comes in a variety of flavors and its natural...after a fashion.

If there is a downside to SPAM, its that something had to die to make it...rather, so that it could be made. After my visit to the SPAM museum, I know that animal was a pig.

Fear not, concerned generic meat consumers, there is a solution!!! What if I told you that we could make some tasty, tasty meat without harming a single hair or feather on any animal at all? Take that vegetarians!!!

What if I told you that technically its lamb? Hold on there! Don't get ahead of me, I'll get to the price in just a minute...

I present to you, the future of all protein. The future of all high quality meat-like substance consumption and production:

[Photo courtesy of NPR]

In the words of the one guy we could find who had eaten this stuff:

"If it [looks] like muscle, if it [smells] like muscle, if it tastes like muscle, that's muscle,"

Amazing! Simply astounding! Well why haven't we seen this on our grocery store shelves? Or in our kitchens or at our Fourth of July barbecues? To find out we talked to one scientist involved in the development of this miracle product. He said:

[Obstacles] are production models, production facilities, venture capital — and consumer demand.

Quick Test Taker

2008-05-06T09:55:00.004-06:00

I have always been a quick test taker. Since as far back as I can remember I was one of the first people in my class finished with a test. On several occasions, I have been in the presence of teachers or professors who naysayed quick exam completion for various reasons. This has lead me to always have a little doubt in my head whenever I walked up to the front of the room, finished scantron/bluebook in hand through aisles of my peers with furoughed brows of concentration. Until today.

Today, I am the lucky one, whose rapid completion of my online classes final became enviable. Today, my class and I sat down in one of the schools computer labs to take a proctored final for our online class. We were allotted an hour and a half to finish the exam. I answered the last question after twenty two minutes. Then after five or so minutes of "reviewing my answers" as I have often been advised to do and maybe two minutes of himming and hawing, I submitted the exam. The school's online class program, Blackboard, gave me my results and I was finished. I left the room and sat outside and waited for my fellow students. About ten minutes later, a classmate walks out and tells me that when he went to submit his answers, Internet Explorer came back with a message saying that the "Successful Submission" page could not be displayed. Turns out that the Blackboard site had gone down in the middle of our test, and I am the ONLY ONE whose test was submitted. And therefore, the only one who doesn't have to start the whole thing over again once Blackboard comes up! Yeah me!

Surgery Update

2008-04-29T19:09:00.003-06:00

It is official, I am observing at least three orthopedic surgeries Thursday!!! I am excited as well as frightened that I will pass out or do something else to embarrass myself. Wish me luck.

Death and Vengance

2008-04-22T05:57:00.004-06:00

Una has always been a prissy sort of dog. For example, she is not interested in dog poop like many dogs I know. She is however very interested in dead things. Dead birds, dead bugs, a place where something dead used to be; all of these things will put her into a frenzy of rolling and rubbing. She wants to rub the stinky, stinky death all over herself. Joe hypothesizes that she uses the smell of death and vengeance to strike fear into the hearts of other dogs. I just think it is gross.

(Babushka Una is coming for you!)

Bra Poll

2008-04-15T19:31:00.003-06:00

It has come to my attention that my mother may have taught me the crazy way to put a bra on. In an effort to gather evidence against my mother's teaching methods, I am taking a poll. The question before you is:

How do you put on your bra?

Option 1: Arms through straps, then reach around and hook the hooks in back

Option 2: Hook the hooks in front, spin the bra around, then arms through straps

Thanks for the help!

Pull the Plug

2008-04-10T19:30:00.004-06:00

Joe and I got into a discussion the other day and I would like others to weigh in on the debate. Do you think it would be easier to pull the plug on a family member that was unconscious and unresponsive or to help a conscious family member decided to go off of life support? I am not going to tell you who was on which side, so that the answers aren't prejudice...maybe guessing can be another game for everyone.

Not That This is a Real Post

2008-04-08T21:55:00.003-06:00

I just uploaded a whole bunch of new photos on my Flickr page, so check them out if your interested. New photos included stuff from as far back as Halloween, Christmas, my trip to California, Colleen's visit, and Easter.

Surgery

2008-03-19T15:52:00.002-06:00

I am currently on a clinical rotation at a hospital, working on the orthopedic floor. My clinical instructor is going to set up a surgical observation for me with one of the orthopedic surgeons. I am super excited! Soon, I will get to see bones a-crack'n and joint replacements! Yeah!!!! I should be able to spend all day following the surgeon from surgery to surgery. So, hopefully I will get to be in on a couple different types of surgeries. Wish me luck!

Seriously, we mean to blog!

2008-03-17T15:51:00.003-06:00

I took a huge break from my normal life while I was out in California, and therefore didn't get around to updating this site very much. I fail. Anyhow, I am back into the swing of normal life and regular updates will ensue. Look for pictures from my trip soon!

I'm 25 years old...

2008-01-31T20:40:00.000-06:00

...thats like, halfway to 30!!!

It has been a good birthday all things considered. It would be nice if Casie and all my California friends were here to celebrate with me but thats ok. I still had a good birthday.

It snowed here. The forecast said it would be anywhere from 5 to 8 inches by the time the nights over and I would have to say we are on track for that. Una loves the snow. It provides countless things for here to chase (the snowflakes, as they fall) and she seems to get a strange sense of satisfaction from running through the snow-covered grass.

I ended my birthday with a trip to my sister's house where my Mom, Darin, Mia, and Quinn all wished me a happy birthday. Darin had to go to work but the rest of us all enjoyed cheese cake and the pure joy that can only come from watching me open presents (sorry everyone else had to miss out on that one).

One of the more unique gifts was a game that came from Colleen & Phil. It contains a deck of cards that have 4 dumb dares on it and 1 extreme dumb dare. There is also a little sphere that lights up when you shake/strike it indicating what dare you have to do. It is the office edition so all of the dares relate to my daily life. They are pretty funny but the ones that had all of us laughing pretty hard are the following:

1. Rummage through a colleague's bin and retrieve something they've thrown away. Ask them if you an keep it. 2. Place your ear next to your PC monitor and mutter "Yes... okay... we'll have to be careful though..." 3. Send an email to all of your colleagues enquiring how many of them would be prepared to respond to an unsolicited email even if they thought it was a total waste of their time. 4. Correct people's pronunciation of your name even if they're pronouncing it correctly.

Great fun and laughter was had by all. Mia laughed along too, though I am fairly certain she did not grasp the full hilarity of the dares.

All of my gifts were fantastic (that last one just made for a good story). Thank you to everyone who sent me something. To those of you that didn't: what's up?

True to form of posts since Casie has been gone, I have revelations:

Revelations - the birthday edition

#5

If you are ever going to get a singing card for someone - for any event - be sure to write something very long on the inside of the card.

#6

Deep appreciation for things often comes at inopportune times.

#7

25 really does feel like halfway to 30.

Chronicles of a Lonely Joe...Part 2

2008-01-22T23:18:00.000-06:00

I really should stop with the numbers here because it will quickly become ridiculous.

After being roused from a stupor this afternoon by my own tears falling on my hands, which were cradling my head at the time, I came upon more revelations.

#3

When I get stressed/irritated/bored my initial reaction is to stop, reorganize, and clean.

Thats right, I clean when I get stressed out (calm down ladies). Our bathroom is now the cleanest it has been since we moved in.

#4

If I don't make time to do things I want to do and create the life that I want then my life will gladly be swallowed up by something else, something I didn't plan for, and my time will cease to be my time.

I am sure that life will reveal more as I go along in my lonely days, Una and I taking on the world for 7 weeks. Eventually I may update everyone on exactly what is going on in my life...I suppose that something would actually have to happen for that to be relevant though.

Chronicles of a Lonely Joe

2008-01-20T23:47:00.000-06:00

Day 1 without Casie...

I have heard that when people are forced to spend some time by themselves they often come upon some interesting revelations. I thought that I would chronicle my time alone and document any such revelations that come upon me in my utter solitude.

Revelation #1:

My dog likes dried apricots, a lot.

Revelation #2:

If I do not force my self to do something, I would be content to sit on my ass all day long and never move except to put in a new movie that I have, in all likelihood, seen already or a new video game which I will, in all likelihood, not finish. This leads me to believe that I need to schedule my days out more and stick to the schedule.

Puchi-Puchi

2008-01-11T10:25:00.000-06:00

My lovely sister purchased me the above electronic bubble wrap key chain for me as a fun little stocking stuffer type gift. You push the squishy bubbles on the front and it makes a little electronic popping sound, making it essentially never ending bubble-wrap-popping delight! That boy's excitement in the photo is not exaggerated. I had the key chain in my pocket while I grocery shopped yesterday and I am pretty sure I popped it the whole time I was in Wal-mart. It rocks, thanks Yell!

(By the way, puchi-puchi is what they call bubble wrap in Japan where this silly invention comes from.)

Unicycle Update, As Requested

2008-01-07T11:29:00.000-06:00

The day that was supposed to be the second unicycling day was cursed with insane coldness. It was only 11 degrees outside that plus the wind chill made it impossible for outdoor activities, so no unicycling has been completed. Joe then got a call to do some work for CSS and has worked everyday since then. So sadly, no progress has been made. If I thought that I could get it out to California with me I would, so that I could keep working on my riding skillz, but as it stands I think it is going to have to await my return.

Unicycling

2007-12-31T12:01:00.000-06:00

Yesterday I made my first real attempt to ride my unicycle. Joe and I walked over to the tennis courts at our apartment complex and I used the chain link fence around the courts to help me balance on one side, and Joe on the other. It went better than I expected, not once did I even come close to breaking anything, but after forty minutes of trying to balance, my legs had turned to noodles and I had to call it quits. Joe has Tuesday off work because of the holiday so he is going to help me try again, I am very excited.

Merry Christmas!

2007-12-26T11:53:00.000-06:00

I hope everyone's holiday was great. Today, since it is back to reality for almost everyone, I thought maybe everybody could post some of there favorite things about this years holiday season and maybe something that you would like to change for next year...

Favorites:
--Finding "haystacks" at Walgreen's. They are candies that my sister and I used to give my grandfather every Christmas, and eating a couple brought back great memories
--Actually getting a unicycle. Now learning to ride it is a whole different story.

Resolution:
--Next year, no matter what, I will make leftsa.

Releave winter boredom and feed the hungry

2007-12-22T18:39:00.000-06:00

The United Nations World Food Program has a website that I just found. On it is a simple vocabulary game that asks you to pick what a word means. If you get the word right, they donate 20 grains of rice (paid for by the sites advertisers) to feed the hungry. Check it out at FreeRice.com!

A sad day for someone I know

2007-12-18T15:53:00.000-06:00

Today, while watching some mindless blathering on TV I heard Paris Hilton referred to as P-Hill. Sorry Phil.

Riddle me this...

2007-12-14T20:21:00.000-06:00

So, I have decided that Casie's tendency to leave things out on the counter is not really a clever ploy to drive me insane. Rather, it reveals her true nature as a super-villain. Yes, a super-villain. She is... The Riddler!!!

(As a side note, check out my ~~photoshop~~ Microsoft Paint skills)

She earns this nickname because she leaves me riddles. The latest one is this:

This riddle is interpreted as: "Riddle me this, why do we need corn, both yellow and white? Why is best on the counter, exposed to the light?"

The can was sitting on the counter. We don't eat canned corn, ever! We always eat frozen corn. Why is it that we needed both white and yellow corn?! I don't get it!!! Truly Casie's villainy knows no bounds!!!

Influence

2007-12-10T11:47:00.000-06:00

There are many ways that you can see Joe's interests influence in my life. I play Magic and video games, read gaming and PC magazines, and all other manners of nerdtastic hobbies that I have taken up since meeting him. Seeing my interests reflected in Joe's life is a little more challenging.

Friday night however, my influence was affirmed. Joe had a dream that involved a musical dance number.

In which we learn that Vanilla Ice was psychic...

2007-12-06T10:43:00.000-06:00

Obituary

2007-12-05T14:11:00.000-06:00

In an obviously topsy-turvy week of emotions I am now immensely saddened to inform everyone of the death of the Honda's transmission. At the ripe age of 6, the transmission suffered from a fatal illness. It was a dedicated member of the community, shuttling me to and from school, as well as a lover of arts (it frequented the parking lots of many local cultural establishments). The transmission is survived by my grieving credit card bill. A memorial service will be held in my pocket book Friday, December 7.

Pure Unadulterated Rage

2007-12-04T16:39:00.000-06:00

My lab exam senario for tomorrow was supposed to be emailed to me at 4:00 pm. It is 4:41 pm. I am furious.

Dreams

2007-11-26T17:00:00.000-06:00

As many of you know I often have horrifying, violent dreams. My sleep is often plagued with blood, disembodied heads, serial killers, and alien monsters. Others have been so disturbed when I relate my dreams to them that they advise me to seek professional help for analysis (of me or the dreams I am not sure).

Last night however, I had a dream that was the polar opposite to my normal night time flights of fancy. I dreamed that I was getting a massage. I think that I can interpret that one myself...

Phone Calls

2007-11-20T17:02:00.001-06:00

I suck at the telephone.

I find that when people call me unexpectedly, I often have an inappropriately neutral response. Then after I get off the phone, I think of everything I should have said. Its like the telephone retards my thought formation as well as my personality. To combat this problem I am considering screening my calls just so I can listen to the message and mentally prepare myself...

Does anyone else have this problem?

One Wild Night

2007-11-14T14:01:00.000-06:00

Last night was weird.

Joe spent a good portion of the evening working in the office on stuff for CSS, so I was mostly left to my own devices. I watched TV, did homework, and read until I started to get tired. At this point, I got ready for bed and decided to read in bed until Joe finished up with "one last drawing."

Of course, I fell asleep fairly quickly.

Next thing I know, I am awakened by Una's "I need to go out" whine. All the lights in the apartment were still on and Joe was nowhere to be seen. Confused and disoriented I checked the time...it was 4:30 am.

So, I got up and went into the office where I found Joe asleep, fully clothed, kneeling on the floor with his upper body curled up on his office chair. I woke him up, explained what time it was, and asked why he had not come to bed. He explained that after finishing up work stuff he was very tired and thought that he would just rest for a minute in the chair. Which as we can all see, turned out to be a bad plan.

By the time Una was walked it was already 5:00 am. We usually get up around 6:00 am. So, rather than go to bed and sleep through our commitments for the day we went to IHOP.

What a weird night.

Creative Graffiti

2007-11-10T08:35:00.000-06:00

I stole this photo form another website, but I thought that everyone should see it:

Like looking into the face of...Walter?

2007-11-05T18:49:00.000-06:00

So I got a message from my friend Walter today. I am pretty sure that everyone who reads this blog knows who Walter is but on the off chance that my popularity is even greater than I possibly imagined and we have gained a small but faithful following of readers, I will share some thoughts on Walter.

Walter is a really great guy...he's weird as hell, but a really great guy. He is always good for a laugh, or a good time,...or a concerned and questioning look.

The message that I received on my phone asked me how I was liking my new job. Specifically, how I was liking my white, middle-class, not-part-of-the-solution-so-I-must-be-part-of-the-problem job. How I was feeling now that I am an incarnation of "the man".

I must say, it feels pretty good. I like being part of the system and keeping people down. Support the establishment!!! Damn the under-privileged man! Go with the flow of the power!

Honestly my job is shaping up to be pretty good (although I say this after 3 days of being on the job). The training is going to be painfully long but everyone seems pretty nice and I am starting to get the idea of how the overall system is organized. Navigating my way on a mainframe system is trickier than I thought it would be. I spend a lot of my time clumsily typing in commands that I have only the vaguest of impressions of their functionality. It is really exciting.

And now for something completely different

2007-11-03T10:35:00.000-06:00

This was one of the top stories on DIGG today. I just thought that it was worth some attention.

Photos taken at the exact right time

Check it out. It is some pretty cool stuff.

Since I'm kind of plugging some other stuff on our blog, I will take one step further. Everyone should go to Lynnwood link on the left side of our page. That is the band that our friends Chris & Meghan are part of. Take a look, listen to their songs and be their friend. Apparently it helps to have a lot of My Space friends if you want to start getting better shows.

As an aside, they are in the process of recording some of their songs in the studio. This means that at some point there will be a CD and a lot of high quality songs available.

Anyway, check them out and be their friends. Check out the pictures that I linked to at the top too. I'm sure we'll do something interesting soon too. (Maybe we'll post pictures of our Halloween 'party' that we went to yesterday)

Strange changes

2007-11-01T20:11:00.000-06:00

So I started my new job today. I must say it was an interesting experience.

For those of you who are not up to speed, allow me to fill you in on my life so far. When I started my old job 2 years ago my official job description included "Figure everything out." Yes, I'm serious. If it was new, I had to figure it out. If it was hard and no one else had time, I had to figure it out. If...well, you get the idea. I have, in my couple of years back, learned PLC code, SQL, VB.NET, ASP.NET, OPC protocols, ICONICS software, VBA, Excel, and 5 million other little things.

Cut to 2 years later, after all of this crazy stuff, I start at my next job. I went in today, turned in my forms and applications for benefits and insurance and then... I waited for like 20 minutes.

Thats right, I waited. 20 minutes later, I find myself finally walking towards my desk. Once I get to my desk, I waited for about 5 minutes and then I got my first assignment!!!

I had to read a chapter consisting of about 20 pages.

And then I waited.

All in all, it was a very good day. I am not really complaining about the waiting. It was just a much slower pace than I am used to.

It should be a lot of fun. Everyone was really nice and the company seems like a really nice company. We'll see how things go.

My Hair

2007-10-29T20:39:00.000-06:00

I got a new haircut two weeks ago and I promised Danielle a photo...this was the best I could do...

Check out my Flickr account (link at left) for more new pictures from the Spooktacular and such.

Very Different Kinds of Celebrations

2007-10-28T21:40:00.000-06:00

This weekend, Joe and I attended two holiday events where people were in costume. On Saturday we were downtown for the Halloween pub crawl and on Sunday we were at the zoo for the Spooktacular. Let's just say that the costumes were very different. Saturday hoe-tastic, Sunday super cute.

Left turn...

2007-10-26T10:57:00.000-06:00

So, this is coming completely out of left field but I had to say something and what I want to say is very odd and requires some preface.

I am a video game nerd. I am not as big of one as I would like. I don't get the opportunity to do a lot of playing in my everyday life and I only make time to play for very important events (mostly a new Zelda game or Final Fantasy). But if I were to credit one, single video game for my love of the whole thing, it would have to be Final Fantasy 7 (just a second...I can feel my nerd status jumping up like 5 points, this might be a new level).

The whole game is amazing. The story that you are playing through is enveloping and intriguing. The characters are complex and real. Sometimes the game is a fantasy adventure that is more than anything that you imagined before and sometimes the game shows you scenes that are rooted in strong emotional circumstances that were some of the most powerful, amazing, depressing, uplifting, or shattering in your life. In short, the game is truly an amazing experience.

I am writing all of this because I have been listening to the soundtrack of the game recently (wait...there goes my nerd status jumping another 20 points). Not the orchestral version but the stuff taken directly from the game (this is a Playstation 1 game and a fairly early one at that). I must say that I am impressed. Music has a great ability to conjure emotions and memories in people in general but I didn't think that listening to the soundtrack from FF7 would be so...powerful. I hate to use that word because it might be viewed as silly but nothing else really fits. I had forgotten about all the crazy stuff that occurred in that game and how amazing it really was.

In the past 5 years I have played probably 30 video games or more. I have finished maybe 4. Strangely enough this soundtrack and the memories I have of playing this game make me want to play through it again. I have beaten this game 10 times at least. I have a game saved in a spot where I have conquered every enemy the game could throw at me. I am literally more powerful than any other creature on the face of the world map, and I want to play the game again from the beginning.

That is replay value my friends. That is a good game.

I would feel silly about saying all of this (and I kind of do) but I know for a fact that there are a few people that read this blog that know what I am talking about. I know that the scene where Aeris gets killed has made an impression on at least 2 people that I know so, I think that maybe I am not that weird (just pretty weird).

Back to your regularly scheduled lives...

Halloween Group Poll

2007-10-23T22:10:00.000-06:00

If you had unlimited funds to devise your ideal Halloween costume to wear to my fabulous (and totally imaginary) Halloween ball/candy-fest, what would you come as?

And as a slightly unrelated side note, anyone know where I can obtain a pig heart?

I have an attitude problem

2007-10-23T15:23:00.000-06:00

School this semester is really wearing on my nerves...the teachers and their habits in particular. Today one of my teachers was twenty minutes late for an appointment that he made me come to a half hour before school normally starts. I held my tongue, but just barely. One of these days, my smart mouth is going to get me in big trouble. It is a good thing that I go on clinicals next week.

My Hatred Burns with the Fire of 10,000 Suns

2007-10-20T14:00:00.000-06:00

The Missouri Department of Revenue handles vehicle registration here in Missouri and I hate them. Yes, hate. Hate, hate, hate, hate, hate them. Before, living in California, I had always been told of horrible DMV experiences that involved waiting for hours on end. That is nothing compared with the horrors that is the Department of Revenue Licensing office here in Springfield.

Never once have been able to go there on my first try and get something done. A trip into the licensing office inevitablly results in several rounds of incomplete instructions from the clerks that lead to multiple trips around town to collect the appropriate documentation.

Yesterday was especially bad. Due to a previous frustrating day trying to register the Hyundai last year, I knew that they were going to send me to the county clerk's office for a property tax waiver/receipt. So, to streamline the process I went straight to the county clerk. I obtained said property tax waiver and left the county clerk's office feeling successful because I had only had to visit with two different offices (on two floors) in stead of four, like my last trip there.

Confidently, I drove across town to the Licensing Office with a folder full of all the documentation I needed. I had everything to transfer the car to Joe and I (as its title had previously been in my Mom's name) and to register it. I had the title signed over to Joe and I, the bill of sales stating that we had purchase the car for five dollars from my mom, the state safety inspection, proof of insurance, and I even had a sheet of paper with Joe's and my mother's social security numbers written down just in case. I felt prepared as I walked through their double doors.

After a short wait, I was called up by one of the employees. Before her I spread my paperwork proudly, anticipating a quick transaction. After mulling over my offerings she looked up at me and asked, "do you have the release of lien from the original lender?"

Crestfallen, I answered that I did not. Away I was sent to frantically search through my files for the release of lien. Miraculously, I had it, notarized as it needed to be. So, once again I made my way to the Licensing Office, more cautiously this time. After another short wait in line a different employee called me up to her window. Again, I lay all my papers out before her. This second employee looks everything over and explains that Jefferson City (the state capital) will not except the sale of a vehicle for less than $100.00. Therefore, I needed to get a gift affidavit signed by my mother.

Nearly in tears, I explained that my mother lives in California and asked how she was supposed to sign aforementioned affidavit. The answer came back, "she can fax it to you, we don't need this one notarized." Fabulous. Neither my mother nor I have a fax machine. I left the office demoralized once again.

After several phone calls to my Mom, a trip to Kinko's for her, a drive out to CSS for me, and yet another trip to the Licensing Office, the Hyundai finally got registered.

I hate them.

In Honor of Carla

2007-10-17T08:31:00.000-06:00

The only mildly humorous surgery cartoon I could find: We'll check the chicken thing later.

By the way

2007-10-16T07:56:00.000-06:00

I thought that I would take a quick moment to catch up on some stuff. This shouldn't be a terribly long post though. Just a quick update on a couple of things that we missed.

1 - Mia's birthday party was this past weekend. It was at Chuck E' Cheeses.
2 - Mia's birthday party was not nearly as disturbing as I thought it would be.
3 - The family got together on Mia's actual birthday to celebrate at her house. Check out my parents and sisters blogs to see all the photos from the events
4 - I feel like we did a disservice to ourselves this past week. Casie and I neglected to mention that we just celebrated our 2 year wedding anniversary. It was nice. We went to a very nice (and expensive) local restaurant and pretended that we were fancy for an evening.

News

2007-10-12T08:04:00.000-06:00

Joe has accepted and offer for an associate programmer job at ANPAC. I thought that we should update everyone.

Oh, and I will be spending 7 weeks in California this upcoming semester. One of my clinicals is going to be in Woodland. Dates to follow...

Turns Out My Souls Is An Osprey

2007-10-08T22:12:00.000-06:00

After following a link from a website I read regularly, I found a short quiz on the Golden Compass website. After taking it it tells you what your daemon is (which in the movie's universe essentially amounts to your spirit animal). If your interested, take the quiz and let me know what kind of daemon you have. Just follow the link on the main pages that says "meet your daemon."

Or, if you are really bored, check out my daemon profile...your comments can change his form.

I love videogames

2007-10-07T21:34:00.001-06:00

So I have been playing Zelda for the Wii recently. Casie doesn't like the game very much but I love it. The Zelda series just does a great job of making an immersive world that you get to run around in. In every game I get the sense of amazing legends and being a participant in those legends. Its a great feeling.

Anyway, I recently fought a very cool battle. I was on horseback having a swordfight with goblins who were riding wild bores!!!

Heres a picture (not my own):

We aren't the only ones!

2007-10-04T13:43:00.000-06:00

My family, especially my sister and I, have always been huge believers in the amazing power of hugs.

While watching the pilot Pushing Daisies last night, one of the characters described her philosophy on hugs saying, "A hug can turn your day around, it's like an emotional Heimlich. Someone puts their arms around you, and they give you a squeeze and all your fear and anxiety comes shooting out of your mouth, and you can breathe again."

I thought that it was perfect and needed to be shared. So there you go, a little hug quote. I hope it makes you smile.

Going Health Nuts, Wanna Come?

2007-10-02T22:29:00.000-06:00

The other night, Joe mentioned that he was considering starting another blog. This one would track his progress throughout his quest to become a super fit and healthy Joe. Since I too have the same goal, I also thought that I would participate in the new blog. Then, we realized that we aren't the only ones that are working towards being fabulous new versions of ourselves.

It seems that in the past year or so, many of our friends and family members have started to jump on the healthy train. Therefore, Joe and I thought it might be fun to let anyone who is interested be added as an author on the other blog. Then, together we can all document our journeys to healthiness. So, if you are interested in sharing with the group your fitness/diet/mental health/physical health related progress, let me know. I will need the email address you use for blogger so that I can add you as an author.

Here is a link to the new site: Going Health Nuts

Unsuccessful

2007-09-30T12:01:00.000-06:00

Last nights ghost hunting trip did not work out. We couldn't figure out how to get into Wilson's Creek to hear the solider ghosts. The one cemetery we were told about near the battlefield was very pleasant, clean, and uncreepy. Finally, the last place, we couldn't even find.

Needless to say, we have decided that some day time research needs to be done before these pitch black evening trips.

Anyone else have a good haunted place story since Joe and I have none?

More on my clinical

2007-09-26T17:53:00.000-06:00

With my clinical coming to a close, I thought that I would update everyone on some of the tangential things I have learned while at the hospital:

--strippers really do fall off of their poles
--propane explosions=bad
--meth ages you in a yucky way

Spooklight

2007-09-24T20:25:00.000-06:00

Saturday night we went traipsing around the countryside looking for the above paranormal phenomena with some friends. It is called the Spook Light and resides somewhere south of Joplin, MO almost into Oklahoma. As far as weird apparitions go, it fairly well documented and we had high hopes for our potential ghostly visitor. Needless to say we did not find it. To many drunken teenagers getting there kicks out there must have scared it off. Oh well, we had a lovely drive and fun walk down a few spooky roads. As for ghosts, maybe next time.

Money Isn't Everything

2007-09-21T15:46:00.000-06:00

My clinical instructor and I worked with a patient and his family who were clearly loaded. During one session with them we "taught" them how to do transfers from the fanciest wheelchair I have ever seen into a brand new Mercedes SUV.

Even with the overflow of money however, these people lacked something that they needed in their current situation: motivation. Without it, the patient will never get any better, and no one in the family will push for it. I just wanted to shake them.

At least I have a family that would push me.

Clinicals

2007-09-19T18:17:00.000-06:00

I started my second clinical experience on Monday at St. John's hospital here in Springfield. I am working in the inpatient rehab department and I have really enjoyed most everything about being there. My only complaint is that there are way more bodily fluids to be dealt with this clinical than the last one I went on.

Since I can't share a lot of details about the patients I am seeing, patient confidentiality and all, I thought that I would instead share other random unrelated facts that I learn throughout my two weeks in the hospital. In the last two days I have accumulated the following tidbits of knowledge (along with the source from which I acquired them):

**Drinking alcohol shrinks your testicles and decreases testosterone production --from a doctor to a patient

**When they put staples into you, often, you are awake and not numbed in the slightest --nurse practitioner

**If you need staples while in the hospital, they will order you personally a stapler, which is then your stapler --nurse practitioner

**To desensitize a amputation stump you should "slap it around a bit" --a patient

Evening Sidetrack Conversation

2007-09-13T21:13:00.000-06:00

I am posting this for Joe, as he is busy looking into the price of server seeds. He would like to pose a question to the group:

If you had to karaoke, what song would you chose?

When I answered that I would not karaoke, Joe said that refusing to participate would result in chopped off limbs...so stay anonymous at peril to you precious body parts.

Diets and College Don't Mix

2007-09-07T10:34:00.000-06:00

Here are some of the reasons lossing weight in college sucks:

1. Constant offers of free food to entice you into going to events you otherwise wouldn't
2. Poverty that makes it really hard to refuse anything free
3. Horrible unhealthyness of aforementioned free food
4. Stress related eating
5. Vending mechine lunches
6. Cafeteria lunches
7. Beer=social life
8. Studying all night=eating all night

Joe's Future Career

2007-09-05T16:25:00.000-06:00

Last night, while walking Una, Joe was explaining to me how HTTP Proxy Servers work. Now, of course, I don't have the faintest idea why I asked, but from this conversation we have discovered Joe's calling.

As the discussion waned Joe stated wistfully, "If I ever live out in the country I think I'll make a server farm."

So many questions came to mind. How will he harvest his crop of servers? Will a heavy frost reduce his server farm's production? Will I be needed to help plow the server field? I literally fell to the ground laughing with all the silly server imagery floating about in my brain.

Joe's future is clear, he will be a fabulous server farmer.

To whom it may concern...

2007-09-02T19:19:00.000-06:00

Dear Alabama Department of Transportation:

I recently had the privilege of driving through your lovely state. I must say that the roads were in excellent condition. The area around the highway was clean and well manicured. In general the maintenance of the roads themselves and the area around the roads was impeccable.

I bet your wondering why I have sworn to not drive through your state again if I can ever help it.

Yes the roads were clean and tidy and smooth to drive down but the speeds were evidently determined by an epileptic child throwing darts at a marked dart board.

Why would the speed limit change from 70 to 45 along a highway? There was no construction, no towns, no school crossings...no cages of small disabled children strewn across the roadway.

I could understand that the speed limit needs to lower when entering a town or if construction is happening but there is no reason for the speed limit to go directly from 70 mph to 45 mph. There was no gradual drop from 70 to 60 to 45 . Straight from 70 to 45. WHY WOULD YOU DO THAT? WHY WOULD YOU DO THAT MULTIPLE TIMES ALONG DIFFERENT STRETCHES OF THE SAME HIGHWAY? OR ON MULTIPLE HIGHWAYS? OR AT ALL?

Maybe it had something to do with the copious amounts of highway patrol vehicles lining the highway? No, no...that is preposterous. No state would sink so low as to employ cheap trickery to get more tickets written along their highways, would they?

But I digress.

Really, if anyone has any explanation for why the speed limit would change so idiotically, leave me a reply. Seriously, I want to know. Restore my faith in the ADoT. Please. Really.

Hugs and kisses,
Joe

On the road to...um...health

2007-08-31T21:33:00.001-06:00

So i turned 24 this year. In the immortal words of my friend Walter, "thats like, half-way to 30!"

Despite the glaring inaccuracies of this statement, I know what he means. There are a few things that I really wanted to accomplish in my life. Some of those things I have done or know that I will get done at some point. For instance, I have needlessly risked my life in several situations already and plan to do so again and again.

I also wanted to get into really good shape once in my life. Like really good shape. To this end I resolved to eat healthier, exercise more, and be more active in general (read as "be less lazy").

I have followed my resolutions in fine form during this road trip. Most days I have had Subway for lunch, sticking to the "healthy" selection of sandwiches more often than not. I have exercised by doing some basic exercises most nights and running 1 time (out of a scheduled 4 or 5 times so far).

But today I was in rare form. We had a barbecue buffet for lunch and then we went to a barbecue place for dinner today. This follows up yesterday when we had Taco Bell for dinner. I also had some snacks that I had in the room because I was hungry still.

I guess that overall, I am doing better on this trip than on my three-day trip to Sedalia. I consumed about 10,000 calories in about 3 days. You may laugh and say to yourself "oh, Joe. You are such an exaggerater".

I say between the donut, the 1/2 BAG OF BRIDGE MIX (1000 calories) and the quesadilla burger and hotwings (in the first day) I am being fairly accurate.

Even Meaner Girls

2007-08-31T14:41:00.001-06:00

It has been several months since I first eluded to writing a weekly movie review. Since then I really hadn't seen anything that made me recoil in horror enough to warrant a post nor anything so good that I thought my friends just had to watch it...until today. Today, after the first of many test days from hell, I came home and watched Pretty Persuasion.

The film centers around ultimate mean girl, Kimberly, and her two friends. The threesome accuse their English and Drama teacher of sexual harassment, and the film centers around the events that lead up to and follow the teachers trial. Pretty Persuasion is dark and funny, creating a pointed satire of American culture.

Normally, I realize my reviews say a bit more about a film than I have here, but I don't think I have the stamina for an attempt at eloquence after my marathon test taking session this morning. Therefore, I encourage you to read this review of the movie if you need more information or simply rent it, it was great!

The Eagle Shits Today

2007-08-30T22:52:00.000-06:00

The eagle shits today.

It is nearly 1:00 am as I write this. I have to be ready to leave for work at 7:00 am the next morning.

But the eagle shits today.

I have been operating on a minimum amount of sleep for the past 1-1/2 weeks.

But the eagle shits today.

---

Allow me to explain in less cryptic terms. First, the conversation that prompts this post at a wholly inappropriate time of night.

[Brian] Well, the eagle shits today.

[Me] < riotous laughter > ...What?!

[Brian] You've never heard that before? Its a military thing. We are getting paid today. You know, the eagle represents the US government.

[Me] < Silence induced by brilliance >

---

Yes, this is what the conversation was like at about 12:30 am today. Brian and I were driving back from Homerville, Georgia. A town of approximately 2,777 people. We have been working there for the past 1-1/2 weeks on one of the toughest projects that Brian or I have ever done.

Immidiately images popped into my head. A myriad of disturbing, potentially hilarious images. Mostly centering around a stylized bald eagle, squatting over a nondescript spot in some appropriately nature filled background. His shoulders (if you can call them shoulders) hunch, he waddles back and forth on his two legs for a moment and then settles in.

Eyes bulging for a moment, the giant bird tenses and then relaxes. A small adjustment of the feet once more and the eyes bulge again. This time the sequence is followed by a small, heavy, metallic clink as another golden eagle pellet drops onto a pile.

The eagle shits today.

My dad has an endless supply of sayings that provide an endless source of entertainment for Casie and I. "The eagle shits today" is just the latest addition. Here is a list of the other phrases that I can remember either hearing first hand or having been reported by my sibblings.

Its raining like a cow pissing on a flat rock - refers to a torrential downpour

I have to pee like a racehorse - refers to needing to go to the bathroom very badly

Its colder than a well-diggers ass in the Klondike - when its very cold out

Colder than a witches tit in a brass bra - I am not sure where I got this one, but it is obviously a play on the previous

Its dark as a sack in here - reserved for only the darkest of environments

The eagle shits today - payday

To celebrate the induction of this saying into my regular vocabulary I submit this haiku:

I want to go home
But the eagle shits today
Small consolation

And to think, I hated writing poetry in high school.

I apologize about this post. It is late and although the unveiling of the new saying has lifted my spirits, I still find myself in Homerville, Georgia. I hope this provided at least some source of entertainment.

An unexpected relief

2007-08-30T19:22:00.000-06:00

So the day after the stress-post-of-death, it was massage day in class. Yeah! Free massages! Now who wishes to come to class with me?

Whip It, & Whip It Good!

2007-08-29T15:13:00.000-06:00

I was doing a little bit of self reflecting today, i.e. not paying attention in class, when I realized that I have no stress relief mechanisms in place for myself. Instead, I tend to hold on to stress with a white-knuckled grasp that can only be loosened with a crowbar (and the removal or passing of the stress causer).

Realized is probably the wrong choice of words however, as this is not, nor should it be, a new thought about myself. I have made myself fairly ill in the pass simply from being under a good amount stress (yeah jr. year of high school!). Of course, you maybe wondering why you all care. Here's why; life is starting to work its stressful magic on me and I would like to deal with it before illness sets in. That's where you come in. I need everyone to comment with their own stress relieving methods and activities. Maybe it I do ALL of them at once, I can manage to let go of the worries and pressure.

Thank you for your forthcoming assistance!

No Longer Can We Phone Home

2007-08-25T13:33:00.000-06:00

Joe and I are trying to tighten our budget and have decided to cancel our home phone service. So, you can still get us on our cell phones but we will no longer have a home phone number.

Controller Progress

2007-08-25T11:57:00.000-06:00

These actually aren't the latest photos, those are on my phone and I am still working out how to get those up here. Nevertheless, this gives everyone a taste of the project's progress.

Oh, and check out my Flickr account for a few more photos.

Glory?

2007-08-14T15:16:00.000-06:00

I know, I know. Where is more information about the controller coffee table? Why hasn't there been a deluge of new information causing small fits of glee to break out across the country?

Well, all of our visitors just left. And I haven't gotten around to posting any new information yet. When you combine those two reasons you wind up with some pretty solid footing I think.

On the bright side, the last round of visitors out here (Danielle and Walter) were both mighty impressed at the quality of the project that Seng and I have so painstakingly worked on up to this point. Casie was mighty impressed as well. She is begrudgingly less reluctant to have it as a coffee table, if only a little bit.

I was also asked to clarify some information because it was apparently not clear from my earlier posts.

I initially described this project as making a "giant, working, Nintendo controller coffee table" ...and I meant every word of it.

By "giant", I meant relative to the original Nintendo controller not giant as in a really huge-ass coffee table.

By "Nintendo controller", I meant a controller from the original nerd-tastic NES gaming system.

By "working" I meant functioning as in it will have a cord that you can plug into an NES and play Super Mario Bros. or Track and Field or Zelda or any other game that used the original Nintendo controller. Thats right folks, once its done I am throwing a come-over-and-use-the-giant-ass-controller party. It will also be "working" as in able-to-hold-drinks-magazines-and-trinkets.

More importantly...

2007-07-28T09:48:00.000-06:00

Casie is back in town! She got in yesterday. All is right with the world.

As a side note, she walked in, saw her mom was here (who she was not at all suspecting) and then in a not at all surprised voice said "Where are you sleeping?"

That is my wife and that is why I love her.