Monday, April 24, 2006
I just would like to inform everyone, I had an AWESOME senior prom! The night was filled with plenty of picture taking, grooving, sweating, and parched throats. The theme was "A Night In Paris," so the juniors had an eiffel (is that how you spell it?) tower in the middle of the floor. At first I thought having it in the middle of the dance floor was a dumb idea, but it just made everyone dance in a smaller area, so it was great. There were icicle lights coming from the top of the eiffel tower and Christmas lights underneath covered by quilt batting. The rest of the decorations sucked, though, but at least they had one nice detail. Me and Chip decided to dance under the tower for the last song. We were the only ones who did all night. While we were dancing, the principal came walking over. We both thought, "Crap. We're in trouble," but he just comes over there trying to be all funny and says, "Whatever happens under the tower, stays underneath the tower." What a dork. Anyway, the whole time we were dancing we could feel the Christmas lights crunching underneath our feet. We just laughed, but I bet the people who owned the lights weren't laughing when they found them. Hee hee! After prom was a lot of fun too, and Worlds of Fun was awesome. I love roller coasters! The whole weekend went by way too fast, though. It kind of made me sad. I mean, I can't wait to get out of that prison, but that's the last time I'll have a dance like that with all my friends, so it made me kind of sad. I'm not going to dwell on those thoughts, though. I had a fantastic time while it lasted and that's all that matters.
Sunday, April 23, 2006
Life update: I joined a kickball team and at the tournament today we were rockin' the field until we lost the championship game. The prize was Sconnie (student company, think slang Wisconsin) sweat bands, so at least we didn't miss out on much. Plus there was free lunch for all. I now like kickball, even though I sucked for all but the first half of the first game. =)
Sunday, April 16, 2006
Thursday, April 13, 2006
It’s the last day of the 2006 legislative session. Thanks to Nebraska’s new term limits law, this is the last day ever for 20 of our 49 senators. The past few weeks have been intense and have included 1) a controversial bill that would split the state’s largest school district into three separate ones; 2) a vote to impeach one of the university’s regents; 3) a vote that will allow people to carry concealed weapons. These are the kind of issues permanently alter the state’s political climate.
I wish I were there. Simply reading about legislation isn’t nearly as exciting (or informative) as watching it happen. Newspapers can’t communicate body language. I can’t watch negotiations evolve. I can’t overhear the conversations between two of the senior members whose desks were located about 18 inches from mine.
When I read the newspaper or watch the news, I can imagine the buzz of energy in the chamber because I’ve been part of it before. But imagination isn’t as powerful as participation, and it’s hard to be an outsider once you’ve been an insider. The closest thing I can compare it to is visiting your alma mater. The surroundings are familiar, but everything feels strange because you’re no longer part of the scene.
My former coworkers have told me that the last few weeks have been grueling. Everyone is edgy and tempers are flaring. They’ve been working until 9 or 10 p.m. most days. I remember those days – they’re mentally exhausting, but ultimately rewarding.
Times like this make me question whether leaving was the right decision. Career-wise, it was the right thing to do. On a more personal level, moving on has been more difficult.
In the next few years, all of you will be making big choices about your futures. With choice comes change, which always brings a strange mix of joy and turmoil to our lives. I’ve decided that almost every big decision – whether it’s changing jobs, picking a college, or getting married – is a huge leap of faith. There are no guarantees in life, and even the “good” or “easy” choices require us to adjust and grow up.
The good thing about difficulty is that it often changes us for the better. I’ve learned more during the dark times of life than the shiny, happy ones. Don’t be afraid to take risks and move outside your comfort zone. If something doesn’t work out the way you planned, you’ll likely gain something far greater.
I wish I were there. Simply reading about legislation isn’t nearly as exciting (or informative) as watching it happen. Newspapers can’t communicate body language. I can’t watch negotiations evolve. I can’t overhear the conversations between two of the senior members whose desks were located about 18 inches from mine.
When I read the newspaper or watch the news, I can imagine the buzz of energy in the chamber because I’ve been part of it before. But imagination isn’t as powerful as participation, and it’s hard to be an outsider once you’ve been an insider. The closest thing I can compare it to is visiting your alma mater. The surroundings are familiar, but everything feels strange because you’re no longer part of the scene.
My former coworkers have told me that the last few weeks have been grueling. Everyone is edgy and tempers are flaring. They’ve been working until 9 or 10 p.m. most days. I remember those days – they’re mentally exhausting, but ultimately rewarding.
Times like this make me question whether leaving was the right decision. Career-wise, it was the right thing to do. On a more personal level, moving on has been more difficult.
In the next few years, all of you will be making big choices about your futures. With choice comes change, which always brings a strange mix of joy and turmoil to our lives. I’ve decided that almost every big decision – whether it’s changing jobs, picking a college, or getting married – is a huge leap of faith. There are no guarantees in life, and even the “good” or “easy” choices require us to adjust and grow up.
The good thing about difficulty is that it often changes us for the better. I’ve learned more during the dark times of life than the shiny, happy ones. Don’t be afraid to take risks and move outside your comfort zone. If something doesn’t work out the way you planned, you’ll likely gain something far greater.
Monday, April 10, 2006
This is the long-awaited APPLICATION TO DATE HAYLEY. Feel free to modify it for your own purposes.
If you answer yes to any of the following, please cease applying for the position of Hayley’s boyfriend.
1. Are you a cowboy?
2. Do you hit on younger girls because you think they’re easily manipulated?
3. Do you Febreeze your jeans instead of washing them?
4. Do you average more than one parking ticket or motor vehicle violation annually?
5. Have you been sexually intimate with anyone who wasn’t a serious girlfriend at the time of said sexual act?
If you answered no to all of the above, proceed.
Where would you take Hayley on your first date?
a) To a baseball game
b) To a movie and the emergency room
c) The Parthenon (the restaurant, not the Greek artifact)
d) A group date with your ex-girlfriend and her new man
If you answered A or C, proceed. If you answered B or D, you’re probably That Guy that our dad wants to roundhouse kick.
If the date went well, what would your next move be?
a) Call five times the next day to tell her what a great time you had
b) Decide to date your ex-girlfriend instead
c) Don’t call her at all. Let her make the next move.
d) Call her the next day, but take it slow. You believe in the philosophy “You can’t hurry love; you just have to wait.”
If you answered A, you’re a scary stalker. If you answered B or C, you’re an emotionally incapacitated twit. Cease applying immediately.
Hayley’s grandma is in the hospital. How do you react?
a) Don’t call her; let her deal with the situation on her own.
b) Complain that she’s spending too much time with her family and accuse her of not taking your relationship seriously.
c) Send her a bouquet. On the card, you write something to the effect of “Just wanted to know that I’m thinking of you. Call me if you need a shoulder to cry on.”
d) Do C, plus bring her food from Sonic when she misses dinner on campus because she was at the hospital.
Any answer other than C or D is unacceptable.
You’ve been dating Hayley for one month. How well do you know her?
a) She loves dancing, singing, and going out – and she needs a guy that can keep up with her!
b) She’s a fan of Frank Sinatra and Dean Martin.
c) She loves going to rodeos and talking about her daddy’s farm equipment.
d) Her favorite TV shows are The Office, Sex and the City, and One Tree Hill.
e) Her idea of a great summer day is going to the lake and snuggling under the stars in your grandpa’s boat.
f) She doesn’t have hobbies. She’s so grateful that a guy is paying attention to her that she’ll be whoever you want her to be!
If you answered C or F, the relationship is doomed.
You’ve realized that you can’t dance, can’t sing, and can’t handle Hayley’s awesomeness. How do you break up with her?
a) Tell her that you’ve had a great time with her but don’t see things working out in the long run. Attempt to stay friends after the initial weirdness of the breakup wears off.
b) Lock yourself in your room and listen to kill-me music and tell everyone that you broke up with Hayley because she performed fellatio on half the baseball team.
c) Do A, but attempt to turn your newfound friendship into a booty call.
d) Act like a spineless little asshat and make Hayley so miserable that she breaks up with you … then cry whenever you see her on campus. You want her to feel REALLY GUILTY.
If you answered A, your mama raised you right. If you’ve ever done B, C, D, just give up and stop dating. You’re a bad person.
Enough about Hayley. What kind of person are you?
a) I’m the type who tries to impress girls by showing off my car, then running it into a tree, then taking my date to the emergency room. But I won’t turn in my insurance claim and I’ll hope her dad never wonders why he keeps receiving medical bills. Hmm.
b) I’m going to live in the Sandhills and raise 20,000 head of cattle. My wife will be a nurse in a town 40 miles away. Since I love Hayley oh-so-much and appreciate the sacrifices she’s made to be a rancher’s wife, I’ll take her dancing on Saturday nights.
c) I’m a law-abiding young man with no felonies or misdemeanors on my record. I am a Christian. I want a good, smart, fun-loving girl that I can treat like a princess. I like baseball. I will go dancing with Hayley, and I will enjoy it. Women tell me that I’m good-looking and wear nice cologne. I am mature, thoughtful, and emotionally intelligent. I am not a manipulative little twink. I don’t have any tattoos, piercings, or weird lesions on my body. I am a virgin and will not attempt to steal Hayley’s innocence until our wedding night. If I break this promise, I understand that her brother-in-law will hunt me down and kill me. And I care so much about the love of my life that I simply wouldn’t risk The Wrath of Andy for just a few moments of pleasure.
If you answered C, congratulations. I grant you permission to date my sister.
If you answer yes to any of the following, please cease applying for the position of Hayley’s boyfriend.
1. Are you a cowboy?
2. Do you hit on younger girls because you think they’re easily manipulated?
3. Do you Febreeze your jeans instead of washing them?
4. Do you average more than one parking ticket or motor vehicle violation annually?
5. Have you been sexually intimate with anyone who wasn’t a serious girlfriend at the time of said sexual act?
If you answered no to all of the above, proceed.
Where would you take Hayley on your first date?
a) To a baseball game
b) To a movie and the emergency room
c) The Parthenon (the restaurant, not the Greek artifact)
d) A group date with your ex-girlfriend and her new man
If you answered A or C, proceed. If you answered B or D, you’re probably That Guy that our dad wants to roundhouse kick.
If the date went well, what would your next move be?
a) Call five times the next day to tell her what a great time you had
b) Decide to date your ex-girlfriend instead
c) Don’t call her at all. Let her make the next move.
d) Call her the next day, but take it slow. You believe in the philosophy “You can’t hurry love; you just have to wait.”
If you answered A, you’re a scary stalker. If you answered B or C, you’re an emotionally incapacitated twit. Cease applying immediately.
Hayley’s grandma is in the hospital. How do you react?
a) Don’t call her; let her deal with the situation on her own.
b) Complain that she’s spending too much time with her family and accuse her of not taking your relationship seriously.
c) Send her a bouquet. On the card, you write something to the effect of “Just wanted to know that I’m thinking of you. Call me if you need a shoulder to cry on.”
d) Do C, plus bring her food from Sonic when she misses dinner on campus because she was at the hospital.
Any answer other than C or D is unacceptable.
You’ve been dating Hayley for one month. How well do you know her?
a) She loves dancing, singing, and going out – and she needs a guy that can keep up with her!
b) She’s a fan of Frank Sinatra and Dean Martin.
c) She loves going to rodeos and talking about her daddy’s farm equipment.
d) Her favorite TV shows are The Office, Sex and the City, and One Tree Hill.
e) Her idea of a great summer day is going to the lake and snuggling under the stars in your grandpa’s boat.
f) She doesn’t have hobbies. She’s so grateful that a guy is paying attention to her that she’ll be whoever you want her to be!
If you answered C or F, the relationship is doomed.
You’ve realized that you can’t dance, can’t sing, and can’t handle Hayley’s awesomeness. How do you break up with her?
a) Tell her that you’ve had a great time with her but don’t see things working out in the long run. Attempt to stay friends after the initial weirdness of the breakup wears off.
b) Lock yourself in your room and listen to kill-me music and tell everyone that you broke up with Hayley because she performed fellatio on half the baseball team.
c) Do A, but attempt to turn your newfound friendship into a booty call.
d) Act like a spineless little asshat and make Hayley so miserable that she breaks up with you … then cry whenever you see her on campus. You want her to feel REALLY GUILTY.
If you answered A, your mama raised you right. If you’ve ever done B, C, D, just give up and stop dating. You’re a bad person.
Enough about Hayley. What kind of person are you?
a) I’m the type who tries to impress girls by showing off my car, then running it into a tree, then taking my date to the emergency room. But I won’t turn in my insurance claim and I’ll hope her dad never wonders why he keeps receiving medical bills. Hmm.
b) I’m going to live in the Sandhills and raise 20,000 head of cattle. My wife will be a nurse in a town 40 miles away. Since I love Hayley oh-so-much and appreciate the sacrifices she’s made to be a rancher’s wife, I’ll take her dancing on Saturday nights.
c) I’m a law-abiding young man with no felonies or misdemeanors on my record. I am a Christian. I want a good, smart, fun-loving girl that I can treat like a princess. I like baseball. I will go dancing with Hayley, and I will enjoy it. Women tell me that I’m good-looking and wear nice cologne. I am mature, thoughtful, and emotionally intelligent. I am not a manipulative little twink. I don’t have any tattoos, piercings, or weird lesions on my body. I am a virgin and will not attempt to steal Hayley’s innocence until our wedding night. If I break this promise, I understand that her brother-in-law will hunt me down and kill me. And I care so much about the love of my life that I simply wouldn’t risk The Wrath of Andy for just a few moments of pleasure.
If you answered C, congratulations. I grant you permission to date my sister.
Monday, April 03, 2006
Sunday, April 02, 2006
Jules and Hayley -- Andy can give you a full-fledged financial lesson, but upon Hayley's request, I thought I'd share my top 10 tips for saving money on everyday stuff.
1) Pick and choose furnishings and decorations you really, truly love. I bought lots of stuff just to fill the space, and I still regret how much money I wasted. It's really worth buying one item at a time and gradually building your collection of treasures.
2) If you live with a roomie, share things like condiments, toilet paper, paper towels, and cleaning supplies. You'll save precious closet space and money.
3) Find a grocery store that has a good "store brand." I love Hy-Vee because their products are the same as the real deal. I usually buy the store brand for these items: cream cheese, juice, milk, packaged cheese, salsa, all canned goods, pudding cups, frozen fruits, chocolate chips, and ice cream bars.
4) If you have room, buy these items in bulk: light bulbs, Kleenex, toilet paper, paper towels, bar soap, Clorox clean-up wipes, cereal (if you eat as much as I do, heh heh) and pretty much anything that doesn't expire.
5) Make only one shopping trip a week, if possible. Anytime you run into the drugstore to pick up one item, you'll probably walk out with five others. :)
6) Make a shopping list and STICK TO IT! I think we eat much healthier and save money when I take a few minutes to plan a menu for the week.
7) Clip coupons and shop sales. Sounds so mom-ish, right? But it really does save a lot of money. (Sales are almost always better deals than coupons, however.)
8) Make nutritious meals that yield lots of leftovers. I really like leftovers that I can put in the freezer, then defrost on a busy day when we don't feel like cooking. Soup, lasagna, meatballs, and enchiladas freeze well.
9) Take advantage of cheap meal nights at local restaurants. Andy and I still go to Old Chicago a few times a month for the Wednesday night $1 slice deal.
10) Once you're away from the dorm meal plan, it's so tempting to go out to eat instead of staying in and cooking. Bring your lunches, prepare stuff at home whenever possible, and treat yourself to a weekly dinner out with friends.
11) Sorry, thought of another one. Bar drinks are expensive. Save your liver and your pocketbook and limit how many drinks you buy. ;)
Watch for my next installments: Quick & Cheap Meals, What to Keep in the Kitchen at All Times, and What's Worth Splurging On.
1) Pick and choose furnishings and decorations you really, truly love. I bought lots of stuff just to fill the space, and I still regret how much money I wasted. It's really worth buying one item at a time and gradually building your collection of treasures.
2) If you live with a roomie, share things like condiments, toilet paper, paper towels, and cleaning supplies. You'll save precious closet space and money.
3) Find a grocery store that has a good "store brand." I love Hy-Vee because their products are the same as the real deal. I usually buy the store brand for these items: cream cheese, juice, milk, packaged cheese, salsa, all canned goods, pudding cups, frozen fruits, chocolate chips, and ice cream bars.
4) If you have room, buy these items in bulk: light bulbs, Kleenex, toilet paper, paper towels, bar soap, Clorox clean-up wipes, cereal (if you eat as much as I do, heh heh) and pretty much anything that doesn't expire.
5) Make only one shopping trip a week, if possible. Anytime you run into the drugstore to pick up one item, you'll probably walk out with five others. :)
6) Make a shopping list and STICK TO IT! I think we eat much healthier and save money when I take a few minutes to plan a menu for the week.
7) Clip coupons and shop sales. Sounds so mom-ish, right? But it really does save a lot of money. (Sales are almost always better deals than coupons, however.)
8) Make nutritious meals that yield lots of leftovers. I really like leftovers that I can put in the freezer, then defrost on a busy day when we don't feel like cooking. Soup, lasagna, meatballs, and enchiladas freeze well.
9) Take advantage of cheap meal nights at local restaurants. Andy and I still go to Old Chicago a few times a month for the Wednesday night $1 slice deal.
10) Once you're away from the dorm meal plan, it's so tempting to go out to eat instead of staying in and cooking. Bring your lunches, prepare stuff at home whenever possible, and treat yourself to a weekly dinner out with friends.
11) Sorry, thought of another one. Bar drinks are expensive. Save your liver and your pocketbook and limit how many drinks you buy. ;)
Watch for my next installments: Quick & Cheap Meals, What to Keep in the Kitchen at All Times, and What's Worth Splurging On.
Monday, March 27, 2006
Monday musings:
- Ashley gets cool points for being the best wife ever. She watched Wayne's World with me this weekend. Great movie. Sure, she recognized half the quotes that are in my regular lexicon, but hey -- you gots to remember your roots. I suppose I owe her a night with a chick flick now.
- I am waiting for the Wierd Al parody of the "My Humps" song. Seriously.
- So I went in to ACE hardware this weekend and it is a brand new one. Well, I was just walkign around, and in liek every aisle, they kept askign me if I needed anything. Well, after about th e10th time, I started making up items. And every time they asked again, I got more absurd. For those Back to the Future geeks, out there, I think Martin is still looking for a Flux Capacitor in the electronics aisle.
- I love technology. But not as much as you, you see. Always and forever.
- If you ladies are looking for a way to turn heads: http://www.ebaumsworld.com/videos/headturning.html
- I love spring
- In the last three weeks of crazy events, I have decided to really focus on three parts of my life. The first is my health. Nothing like two parents with heart conditions to scare you into eating better and staying in shape. The second is Asher, sinc eshe' scool like that. The third is my fingers. Looks liek I'm going to have a few projects coming up and I'd really liek to keep my fingers intact.
- No market news this week. Just the price of oil. Bummer.
- My milkshake brings ALL the boys to the yard.
I'm out.
Saturday, March 25, 2006
I need to go to drug rehab.
I'm convinced that Easter candy is laced with crack. If it's not, why do I keep eating so much?
I polished off half a bag (maybe more?) of Starburst jellybeans in two days.
This afternoon I went to Shopko to pick up T.P. and shower cleaner. I walked out with another bag of Starburst beans, two packages of Peeps (pink and blue), five snack packs of Cadbury Mini Eggs (for portion control), and one bag of Brachs marshmallow bunnies and chicks.
I do this every year. Every spring, I think, "Ashley, you're going to be strong this time. You're not going to get within 10 yards of an aisle of Easter candy." Then the pretty colors, textures, shapes, and once-a-year tastes lure me in, and I cave. I'm already planning a trip to get speckled crunchy M&M's, Cadbury cream eggs and robin's eggs.
Easter candy is my favorite candy in the whole wide world. The Easter after Andy and I got engaged, Mama Washburn made me a pink Easter basket and filled it with my favorite treats. She told me I didn't have to share with her son. It was the beginning of a beautiful relationship. ;)
Gah, I have to stop. I'm on a mission to lose a few pounds because I'm becoming an obeast (obese+beast=obeast), and eating my weight in Easter candy isn't helping.
See? I really need a 12-step program.
I'm convinced that Easter candy is laced with crack. If it's not, why do I keep eating so much?
I polished off half a bag (maybe more?) of Starburst jellybeans in two days.
This afternoon I went to Shopko to pick up T.P. and shower cleaner. I walked out with another bag of Starburst beans, two packages of Peeps (pink and blue), five snack packs of Cadbury Mini Eggs (for portion control), and one bag of Brachs marshmallow bunnies and chicks.
I do this every year. Every spring, I think, "Ashley, you're going to be strong this time. You're not going to get within 10 yards of an aisle of Easter candy." Then the pretty colors, textures, shapes, and once-a-year tastes lure me in, and I cave. I'm already planning a trip to get speckled crunchy M&M's, Cadbury cream eggs and robin's eggs.
Easter candy is my favorite candy in the whole wide world. The Easter after Andy and I got engaged, Mama Washburn made me a pink Easter basket and filled it with my favorite treats. She told me I didn't have to share with her son. It was the beginning of a beautiful relationship. ;)
Gah, I have to stop. I'm on a mission to lose a few pounds because I'm becoming an obeast (obese+beast=obeast), and eating my weight in Easter candy isn't helping.
See? I really need a 12-step program.
Tuesday, March 21, 2006
I don't think I need to explain the rare wonderfulness of a snow day at the university. Thanks to the interstate shutting down and the kiddies not being able to drive back to Lincoln from their spring break destinations, we got another one today!
This is how yesterday went:
Read, nap, play with cat, eat a handful of Starburst jellybeans, read, talk on phone with Lindsey, read, eat jellybeans, watch Cheerleader Nation on Lifetime and eat pretzels, play with cat, eat gross leftovers, read BH&G, cat, jellybeans, shower. I hadn't felt that relaxed (and lazy!) in years, probably.
This is how today has went:
Breakfast, check work e-mail and realize my boss dropped the ball on an important project (and she's out of town for two weeks), get angry, send e-mails to mend feelings and rectify the situation, calm down, eat jellybeans, read, eat pizza, check e-mail again and realize my boss forgot several other important details before she left, send more apologetic e-mails, realize that I've become my boss's bitch (i.e., the one who does 85% of the work), watch cat cough up sock fuzz and dried funeral flowers. Don't ask. Damn cat.
I'm signing out now; it's time for more jellybeans and Cheerleader Nation.
This is how yesterday went:
Read, nap, play with cat, eat a handful of Starburst jellybeans, read, talk on phone with Lindsey, read, eat jellybeans, watch Cheerleader Nation on Lifetime and eat pretzels, play with cat, eat gross leftovers, read BH&G, cat, jellybeans, shower. I hadn't felt that relaxed (and lazy!) in years, probably.
This is how today has went:
Breakfast, check work e-mail and realize my boss dropped the ball on an important project (and she's out of town for two weeks), get angry, send e-mails to mend feelings and rectify the situation, calm down, eat jellybeans, read, eat pizza, check e-mail again and realize my boss forgot several other important details before she left, send more apologetic e-mails, realize that I've become my boss's bitch (i.e., the one who does 85% of the work), watch cat cough up sock fuzz and dried funeral flowers. Don't ask. Damn cat.
I'm signing out now; it's time for more jellybeans and Cheerleader Nation.
Monday, March 20, 2006
Monday Musings:
I love my job in academia. I get snow days, just liek the kiddies, and I just saw that LPS will stay closed tomorrow which means tomorrow is optional for me. Guess who's staying hoem to watch Dawson's Creek and Saved by the Bell again!!!
Sorry for all the typos, but my back is killign me and I don't want to sit here to edit.
So what's on my mind these days? Well....
Hoping that UNL cancels classes tomorrw for two reasons. First, Asher won;t have to go to work either. And second, how much would it suck to have a snow day from work and then still have to go to class at 3:30. I know, right. Plus, if I don;t have to go to class, I may round up Cole and another and maybe start digging out Grandpa Dale -- if for no other reason to see how kick-ass his snowblower really is.
So my momma goes in for a big surgery on Thursday. A heart-cathaterization ink test for of thing for you medical types on here. BAsically, they shoot her veins full of ink and see what's blocled and where. From there, it coudl be this wicked cool angioplaity thingy with a baloon that blows open the clog, or it could be open heart surgery and a bypass on the spot. Crazy stuff. THough, old bag for my family (at least on my dad's side). Hopefully, things will all go OK and she's use this as a wake up call to make some lifestyle changes and whatnot so she can have many many happy years of enjoying grandbabies.
No -- Ash is not pregnant.
I really dig my boss. As much ass-kissing as this sounds like, I like his weather policy, I liek that he let us basically take a three hour lunch last week to watch the NCAA opening round. I liek that I get Fridays off in the summer. I like that he has no problem with employees going to baseball games in the mid-afternoon. But his whole philosophy is great. Give people time off to do the things they love, and they will work their ass off when they are in the building. I knwo I do.
I like how the domestic retial markets are coming back. Especially bood old Buckle (BKE) which has jumped 18% in 6 months. Tech is just too risky until Apple and Google start to level out, and oil -- no thanks.
My wife is addicted to some Cheerleader reality show. Sad.
I am becomming more convinced every day that I should quit my day job and open up a business that will help young people with their finances. So many people just out of school are screwed. That's not counting you doctor and pharmacy types that will be able to pay off their student loans after like a week of work and then by a mega house the second week. (I know its really not THAT great).
I smell like snowblower gas.
Ok -- back hurting. Bye.
I love my job in academia. I get snow days, just liek the kiddies, and I just saw that LPS will stay closed tomorrow which means tomorrow is optional for me. Guess who's staying hoem to watch Dawson's Creek and Saved by the Bell again!!!
Sorry for all the typos, but my back is killign me and I don't want to sit here to edit.
So what's on my mind these days? Well....
Hoping that UNL cancels classes tomorrw for two reasons. First, Asher won;t have to go to work either. And second, how much would it suck to have a snow day from work and then still have to go to class at 3:30. I know, right. Plus, if I don;t have to go to class, I may round up Cole and another and maybe start digging out Grandpa Dale -- if for no other reason to see how kick-ass his snowblower really is.
So my momma goes in for a big surgery on Thursday. A heart-cathaterization ink test for of thing for you medical types on here. BAsically, they shoot her veins full of ink and see what's blocled and where. From there, it coudl be this wicked cool angioplaity thingy with a baloon that blows open the clog, or it could be open heart surgery and a bypass on the spot. Crazy stuff. THough, old bag for my family (at least on my dad's side). Hopefully, things will all go OK and she's use this as a wake up call to make some lifestyle changes and whatnot so she can have many many happy years of enjoying grandbabies.
No -- Ash is not pregnant.
I really dig my boss. As much ass-kissing as this sounds like, I like his weather policy, I liek that he let us basically take a three hour lunch last week to watch the NCAA opening round. I liek that I get Fridays off in the summer. I like that he has no problem with employees going to baseball games in the mid-afternoon. But his whole philosophy is great. Give people time off to do the things they love, and they will work their ass off when they are in the building. I knwo I do.
I like how the domestic retial markets are coming back. Especially bood old Buckle (BKE) which has jumped 18% in 6 months. Tech is just too risky until Apple and Google start to level out, and oil -- no thanks.
My wife is addicted to some Cheerleader reality show. Sad.
I am becomming more convinced every day that I should quit my day job and open up a business that will help young people with their finances. So many people just out of school are screwed. That's not counting you doctor and pharmacy types that will be able to pay off their student loans after like a week of work and then by a mega house the second week. (I know its really not THAT great).
I smell like snowblower gas.
Ok -- back hurting. Bye.
Sunday, March 19, 2006
It's hard for me to adapt to this blustery, snowy weather when I was just at the beach a mere 4 days ago. This past week I went to Texas with Cassondra, my roommate, and her cousins. It was a wonderful time of relaxation, attempts at tanning, and eating too much good food.
The area that we stayed in for the greater part of the week was near Orange, TX, which is about 12 miles west of the Texas/Lousiana border. The weather ranged from 75 to 87 degrees. Each night we'd sit outside on the back porch and it felt just like summer. Texas also had a lot of nightlife options. Every club down there is 19 and over so Cassondra and I could go have fun with her 24/25 year old cousins. Overall it was a great time and I'd love to show pictures to anyone who would like to see them!
Lastly, I have to thank my lucky stars though because a lot of the area we stayed at was still cleaning up from Hurricane Rita. Many people still don't have roofs (just bright blue tarps), many trees are still down, and people are still working on getting their lives together. It was just cool to see this all up front instead of just on CNN. But no matter how devistated their property is, everyone still has a great attitude and just deals with what they have.
So that's the overview of my Spring Break 2006! A lot of fun, food, and relaxation was just what I needed!
The area that we stayed in for the greater part of the week was near Orange, TX, which is about 12 miles west of the Texas/Lousiana border. The weather ranged from 75 to 87 degrees. Each night we'd sit outside on the back porch and it felt just like summer. Texas also had a lot of nightlife options. Every club down there is 19 and over so Cassondra and I could go have fun with her 24/25 year old cousins. Overall it was a great time and I'd love to show pictures to anyone who would like to see them!
Lastly, I have to thank my lucky stars though because a lot of the area we stayed at was still cleaning up from Hurricane Rita. Many people still don't have roofs (just bright blue tarps), many trees are still down, and people are still working on getting their lives together. It was just cool to see this all up front instead of just on CNN. But no matter how devistated their property is, everyone still has a great attitude and just deals with what they have.
So that's the overview of my Spring Break 2006! A lot of fun, food, and relaxation was just what I needed!
Thursday, March 16, 2006
Sunday, March 12, 2006
Nebraska weather is crazy in early March. It was 60 degrees yesterday, we had thunder/lightning/hail/rain/snow this morning, and it's supposed to snow tomorrow.
The weather reminded me of one memorable birthday celebration with Grandpa Meyer. We went up to Grandpa and Grandma's house to have supper and open presents. About as soon as Grandma put away the last sliver of angel food cake, a huge, nasty thunderstorm rolled through. There were tornado warnings in the surrounding counties, and I was secretly hoping some of the excitement would come our direction (not because I wanted the house to blow down, but because I'm a screwball who loves bad weather simply because it's interesting).
The storm was powerful enough to knock out the power. Cole, Hayley and I were shrieking in the basement, so Dad came down with his flashlight and led us back upstairs. Lindsey was really little -- maybe 2? -- and she wouldn't stop crying because the thunder was scaring her. We all huddled in the living room and waited for the power to come back on. And waited. And waited some more.
Finally, Grandpa announced that he was opening his presents, electricity be damned. I can still picture him holding a flashlight in one hand and polishing off half a package of Peeps with the other. :)
It snowed the next day. (Happy birthday, Grandpa -- even if I am one day early.)
The weather reminded me of one memorable birthday celebration with Grandpa Meyer. We went up to Grandpa and Grandma's house to have supper and open presents. About as soon as Grandma put away the last sliver of angel food cake, a huge, nasty thunderstorm rolled through. There were tornado warnings in the surrounding counties, and I was secretly hoping some of the excitement would come our direction (not because I wanted the house to blow down, but because I'm a screwball who loves bad weather simply because it's interesting).
The storm was powerful enough to knock out the power. Cole, Hayley and I were shrieking in the basement, so Dad came down with his flashlight and led us back upstairs. Lindsey was really little -- maybe 2? -- and she wouldn't stop crying because the thunder was scaring her. We all huddled in the living room and waited for the power to come back on. And waited. And waited some more.
Finally, Grandpa announced that he was opening his presents, electricity be damned. I can still picture him holding a flashlight in one hand and polishing off half a package of Peeps with the other. :)
It snowed the next day. (Happy birthday, Grandpa -- even if I am one day early.)
Sunday, March 05, 2006
Early Monday Musings, since I'll be way slammed at work tomorrow (but that's OK).
- Still feeling good for winning my speedign ticket case. I didn't get off on a technicality, I got off on the officer's incompetance.
- This week has been an intense time of reflection. I consider myself very lucky to have such a wonderful wife, brother-in-law, and pair of sister-in-laws. Not that I don't already know you well already, but some of the conversations I had with a few of you this week were actually meaningful and had some depth to them. Good stuff.
- I really like Pastor Ed more each day.
- I now know what a Kaddish is.
- If you are bored and with an uber-high speed internet connection, check out my latest video-editing job from an event a few weeks back. I'll have another one up this week. http://www.huskeralum.com/events/redgala/video.htm IF this is too big, check out the low res link on the page. I'll be waiting for my academy award.
- Cole. No pressure, but hang on to that gal of yours. To be able to handle Uncle Jeff, Uncle Joe and the relatives in a fairly emotional time is not somethign you will find too often.
- Cole. We were sitting with some friends the other night debating on whether or not to call you up and see if the hot tub was occupiable. We may still do so some time before spring gets here. Be ready.
- Current students, after some of my other activities this week not family/funeral-related, remind me to give you all a personal finance lesson after you gaduate. There's some relatively simple stuff out there that I think you all know, but I want to be sure so you are not in the same spot as some other folks out there.
- I don't type very well.
- It's about time for me to get a new cell phone. This one is so old, Zac Morris could have used it to call Kelly or Screech at the Max.
- Don't you love how college has its spurts. Two tests and a paper all due in the same week, and then nothing for like 5 weeks. Then it all happens again. What the hell? Just Karma I guess.
- Still feeling good for winning my speedign ticket case. I didn't get off on a technicality, I got off on the officer's incompetance.
- This week has been an intense time of reflection. I consider myself very lucky to have such a wonderful wife, brother-in-law, and pair of sister-in-laws. Not that I don't already know you well already, but some of the conversations I had with a few of you this week were actually meaningful and had some depth to them. Good stuff.
- I really like Pastor Ed more each day.
- I now know what a Kaddish is.
- If you are bored and with an uber-high speed internet connection, check out my latest video-editing job from an event a few weeks back. I'll have another one up this week. http://www.huskeralum.com/events/redgala/video.htm IF this is too big, check out the low res link on the page. I'll be waiting for my academy award.
- Cole. No pressure, but hang on to that gal of yours. To be able to handle Uncle Jeff, Uncle Joe and the relatives in a fairly emotional time is not somethign you will find too often.
- Cole. We were sitting with some friends the other night debating on whether or not to call you up and see if the hot tub was occupiable. We may still do so some time before spring gets here. Be ready.
- Current students, after some of my other activities this week not family/funeral-related, remind me to give you all a personal finance lesson after you gaduate. There's some relatively simple stuff out there that I think you all know, but I want to be sure so you are not in the same spot as some other folks out there.
- I don't type very well.
- It's about time for me to get a new cell phone. This one is so old, Zac Morris could have used it to call Kelly or Screech at the Max.
- Don't you love how college has its spurts. Two tests and a paper all due in the same week, and then nothing for like 5 weeks. Then it all happens again. What the hell? Just Karma I guess.
Friday, March 03, 2006
Test Yourself!
http://members.iinet.net.au/~pontipak/redsquare.html
Supposedly airforce pilots can keep this up for 2 mins or more. It's very addicting :D
http://members.iinet.net.au/~pontipak/redsquare.html
Supposedly airforce pilots can keep this up for 2 mins or more. It's very addicting :D
Wednesday, March 01, 2006
Update:
Well, I fought the law, and the law can kiss my ass. Yup, the ticket got dropped. I got to do the whole bit: opening statement, cross examination of the officer, everything. The officer admitted that it is possible he pulled the wrong vehicle over and made errors on my traffic stop. Whee.
So, I am trying to reach the Isreali-Canadian professor. Dude does not check his voice mail or e-mail. I have test scheduled for Thursday night, but would much rather be with family that evening.
Well, I fought the law, and the law can kiss my ass. Yup, the ticket got dropped. I got to do the whole bit: opening statement, cross examination of the officer, everything. The officer admitted that it is possible he pulled the wrong vehicle over and made errors on my traffic stop. Whee.
So, I am trying to reach the Isreali-Canadian professor. Dude does not check his voice mail or e-mail. I have test scheduled for Thursday night, but would much rather be with family that evening.
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