With all the tryptophan still in my body, I fell asleep on the couch while watching TV. I’ve been using my XBOX360 as my DVD player and I have it set to turn off after 2 hours of no activity. And my HDTV automatically shuts off after about 10 min if there is no input signal. Not realizing that I fell asleep on the couch (I feel old), I woke up there in amazement with everything off.
Wow.
30 November 2008
26 November 2008
...and you are? (repost from old blog)
So, I live in a small town (although it has grown in the past 5 years) where in some odd way, everyone knows everyone. Or at least has heard of everyone. I made an impact in this small town. No, I didn’t crash here in some spaceship escaping the implosion of a planet. When I first moved here, in the sixth grade, there was a medieval times Contest. The participants would make things from the medieval times times. You know, catapults, trebuchets, swords, armor, maces and the like. Well, I won Grand Prize. I had an array of things that I made. I had a mace, made out of Styrofoam spheres with tooth picks as the spikes chained together to a wooden broom stick; a knight in shining armor, which was actually a catwoman figurine wrapped in tin foil armor; a trebuchet made out of legos; and a real sword from Spain. Mind you the sword was attached to a frame for display. It was actually my Mom’s sword. There was an inscription on the sword but I forgot what it says. So, at the time, I was a new resident in this small town already raising the bar for things to come… not to mention that my picture was in the local paper for winning the contest. One kid said that I won only because I had a REAL sword, haha.
There were many other accomplishments that made me well known in this town, but I’ll save those stories for another day.
Nevertheless, I live in a small town where everyone knows everyone. Well, in my case, a lot of people know me, but I don’t know a lot of people. So… I was at the wonderful and glorious wal-mart buying some pumpkin pie mix for the upcoming Thanksgiving 2008. Someone approached saying my name. I truthfully did not know who he was. He just wanted to say hi and see how I was doing. I don’t know why I didn’t even bother asking him where he knew me from. How rude of me. I should have said “I’m sorry, where do I know you from?” But alas, I didn’t feel like socializing so I didn’t even bother. Now it’s going to bug me where I know him from. He was an older fellow. I probably know him from one of the many churches that I’ve attended. Or from school. I’ll never know.
There were many other accomplishments that made me well known in this town, but I’ll save those stories for another day.
Nevertheless, I live in a small town where everyone knows everyone. Well, in my case, a lot of people know me, but I don’t know a lot of people. So… I was at the wonderful and glorious wal-mart buying some pumpkin pie mix for the upcoming Thanksgiving 2008. Someone approached saying my name. I truthfully did not know who he was. He just wanted to say hi and see how I was doing. I don’t know why I didn’t even bother asking him where he knew me from. How rude of me. I should have said “I’m sorry, where do I know you from?” But alas, I didn’t feel like socializing so I didn’t even bother. Now it’s going to bug me where I know him from. He was an older fellow. I probably know him from one of the many churches that I’ve attended. Or from school. I’ll never know.
18 September 2008
September 2008 Letter
Another late letter...haha
On August 4th, I moved back home with Mom in Dunlap. I didn't realize how much stuff I had until I moved. I had 2 truck loads and 3 car loads of stuff to bring back. Thankfully, my cousin, Steven, helped me. I have some duplicate items now...such as 2 beds, 2 TVs, etc. But I can sell the duplicates or give them away.
After I moved back home, I spent the next 1.5 weeks working on video that I filmed at TN Tech's Student Orientation program. Plus, I filmed a friends wedding that have yet to finish.
I don't know if my Dad ever told you, but here at home I have 3 rooms to myself. Basically the entire upstairs is mine. It is a mess. It was a maze for a couple of weeks. I had trails to the TV, bed, and computer. After I finished that video project, I finally took some time to clean up a bit. I took down all my old posters from high school and am putting up 'bragging rights'...I mean... awards from college and what not. While cleaning, I see that I just have too much stuff. I have four computers (a MAC G5, custom built gaming PC, a Windows 98 Machine to play DOS video games, and a Macbook). I have a ton of DVDs, 6 guitars, 7 video cameras...etc etc etc... I could go on forever. But, I am going through it all and getting rid of stuff that I just don't need anymore. Actually, that is what Mom and I will be doing for the next few months. We will be going through everything, every box and either keep stuff or get rid of stuff.
Mom was having trouble with the dryer. Clothes were still wet after completing a drying cycle. This means that there may be restricted airflow for the exhaust. So, I removed the entire dryer exhaust duct and cleaned it out. There was indeed a collection of dryer lint, not to mention a few wasps nests at the exit port. And some of the lint was hard as a rock! Now the dryer works good as new.
Speaking of wasps, I saw this black mass hanging on the porch. I thought it was a bat hanging upside down, but it was about 20 wasps. I ran in the house and retrieved some wasp spray. I went outside and left the door cracked so I could make a clean escape to the inside. This wasp spray was the stuff that kills on contact (or so it says). I sprayed the cluster of wasps and ran inside to a window where I could see them. Soon enough, they started dropping to the floor. I counted the causalities and there was twenty wasps. I wonder what 20 wasps were doing all clustered up on one nest?!?!
Prior to moving back to Dunlap, I wasn't paying attention and I ran over one of those parking blocks. Well, I heard a crack and said "aw, man, what was that?". I opened my door and peered under my car and saw some plastic hanging down. Luckily, the only damage I did was breaking the splash guard. I carry duct tape in my car and I taped it together for a temporary fix. After I moved back home I looked for a replacement part. It took some time to find the part. It was only 12 dollars but I ordered it from a Nissan part dealer from North Carolina. I bought some ramps so i could get under the car and remove the old splash guard and put on the new pristine one.
To my surprise, one of my fraternity brothers sent me a message saying "congratulations on being on the front cover of the magazine!" I was confused by his message. A few weeks later, I received my fraternities national magazine in the mail. It is called "The Gear" and indeed I am on the cover along with some other 'brothers'. I have attached a scan of the front for your eyes to see. The photo was taken about a year ago infront of "the bean" in Chicago. We were there for Leadership Training Academy.
Well, that about all for now. Until next time...I'll write sooner!
On August 4th, I moved back home with Mom in Dunlap. I didn't realize how much stuff I had until I moved. I had 2 truck loads and 3 car loads of stuff to bring back. Thankfully, my cousin, Steven, helped me. I have some duplicate items now...such as 2 beds, 2 TVs, etc. But I can sell the duplicates or give them away.
After I moved back home, I spent the next 1.5 weeks working on video that I filmed at TN Tech's Student Orientation program. Plus, I filmed a friends wedding that have yet to finish.
I don't know if my Dad ever told you, but here at home I have 3 rooms to myself. Basically the entire upstairs is mine. It is a mess. It was a maze for a couple of weeks. I had trails to the TV, bed, and computer. After I finished that video project, I finally took some time to clean up a bit. I took down all my old posters from high school and am putting up 'bragging rights'...I mean... awards from college and what not. While cleaning, I see that I just have too much stuff. I have four computers (a MAC G5, custom built gaming PC, a Windows 98 Machine to play DOS video games, and a Macbook). I have a ton of DVDs, 6 guitars, 7 video cameras...etc etc etc... I could go on forever. But, I am going through it all and getting rid of stuff that I just don't need anymore. Actually, that is what Mom and I will be doing for the next few months. We will be going through everything, every box and either keep stuff or get rid of stuff.
Mom was having trouble with the dryer. Clothes were still wet after completing a drying cycle. This means that there may be restricted airflow for the exhaust. So, I removed the entire dryer exhaust duct and cleaned it out. There was indeed a collection of dryer lint, not to mention a few wasps nests at the exit port. And some of the lint was hard as a rock! Now the dryer works good as new.
Speaking of wasps, I saw this black mass hanging on the porch. I thought it was a bat hanging upside down, but it was about 20 wasps. I ran in the house and retrieved some wasp spray. I went outside and left the door cracked so I could make a clean escape to the inside. This wasp spray was the stuff that kills on contact (or so it says). I sprayed the cluster of wasps and ran inside to a window where I could see them. Soon enough, they started dropping to the floor. I counted the causalities and there was twenty wasps. I wonder what 20 wasps were doing all clustered up on one nest?!?!
Prior to moving back to Dunlap, I wasn't paying attention and I ran over one of those parking blocks. Well, I heard a crack and said "aw, man, what was that?". I opened my door and peered under my car and saw some plastic hanging down. Luckily, the only damage I did was breaking the splash guard. I carry duct tape in my car and I taped it together for a temporary fix. After I moved back home I looked for a replacement part. It took some time to find the part. It was only 12 dollars but I ordered it from a Nissan part dealer from North Carolina. I bought some ramps so i could get under the car and remove the old splash guard and put on the new pristine one.
To my surprise, one of my fraternity brothers sent me a message saying "congratulations on being on the front cover of the magazine!" I was confused by his message. A few weeks later, I received my fraternities national magazine in the mail. It is called "The Gear" and indeed I am on the cover along with some other 'brothers'. I have attached a scan of the front for your eyes to see. The photo was taken about a year ago infront of "the bean" in Chicago. We were there for Leadership Training Academy.
Well, that about all for now. Until next time...I'll write sooner!
30 July 2008
July 2008 Letter (repost)
Hello all!
It's been quite some time since I last wrote. I have no excuse for not writing.
I am currently still living in Cookeville working for TTU's Student Orientation. However, I am not giving tours like I did last summer. My official title is "Special Assistant to the Director". My "special job" is doing film work. I filmed and edited a short film for student orientation and I operate the sound equipment in the evenings. My boss, Dustin, purchased 3 High Definition Cameras and all the goodies that go with them including a MacPro and a BlueRay Disc burner. He wants me to put together a Documentary of the SOAR (Student Orientation and Registration) program. If you have never seen High Definition video, it is a sight to see!
I recently moved across Cookeville with two friends. I use to live with my cousin, Steven. He now has his own apartment and lives alone. I never realized how much stuff I have until I moved across town. Every now and then when I go home, I take some stuff home to reduce the clutter, haha.
To go to work, I ride my bike. With these gas prices, it seems logical. Especially when I live just 10 minutes biking distance from the school.
The scorplings are growing. I feed them once a week and it is carnage when I throw about a dozen small crickets in their enclosure. They are in their 3rd instar, or 3rd molting stage. They will go through about six or seven molting stages and will live between 5 and 10 years. In case you didn't know, all scorpions glow green/blue under a black light and the babies are starting to glow under the black light. Even the fossilized remains of ancient scorpions still glow. Mom doesn't like the idea of me bringing back 13 scorpions.
On August 4th, I will be moving back home with Mom. I will still have to finish editing the documentary, but I will still be getting paid for my work. I will be looking for a job in the Chattanooga area. My original plans were to go where ever the job takes me. However, with Dad gone, I want to stay home for a while and help Mom out. Not to mention that I'll save some money for a while at least. Also, Volkswagen has decided to build a plant in Chattanooga. I'm keeping tabs on when they are hiring. Who knows, maybe I'll be driving a VW around, haha.
Mom has paid off the house and paid off my car. My car is coated with some kind of protective coating that is supposed to last five years. I remember telling my Dad that and he asked "Do you think you'll keep your car that long?"
Other than the film documentary, I am helping one of my friends, Kristen, record some songs that she has written. We played at an Open-Mic-Night here in Cookeville. She met some people and got a offer to play at a Habitat for Humanity concert in September. She accepted and I'm helping her get an album together before her gig and to also create a Myspace Music account for her. So, in some regards, I am her agent/mananger/publicist, etc. I just have to think of a name for my record company...
Last week, I played golf with my cousin Steven. I took my Dad's clubs for a round of golf. Everynow and then, when I have time, I plan to take them for a round at my Dad's favorite place to golf: Fall Creek Falls.
Until next time
It's been quite some time since I last wrote. I have no excuse for not writing.
I am currently still living in Cookeville working for TTU's Student Orientation. However, I am not giving tours like I did last summer. My official title is "Special Assistant to the Director". My "special job" is doing film work. I filmed and edited a short film for student orientation and I operate the sound equipment in the evenings. My boss, Dustin, purchased 3 High Definition Cameras and all the goodies that go with them including a MacPro and a BlueRay Disc burner. He wants me to put together a Documentary of the SOAR (Student Orientation and Registration) program. If you have never seen High Definition video, it is a sight to see!
I recently moved across Cookeville with two friends. I use to live with my cousin, Steven. He now has his own apartment and lives alone. I never realized how much stuff I have until I moved across town. Every now and then when I go home, I take some stuff home to reduce the clutter, haha.
To go to work, I ride my bike. With these gas prices, it seems logical. Especially when I live just 10 minutes biking distance from the school.
The scorplings are growing. I feed them once a week and it is carnage when I throw about a dozen small crickets in their enclosure. They are in their 3rd instar, or 3rd molting stage. They will go through about six or seven molting stages and will live between 5 and 10 years. In case you didn't know, all scorpions glow green/blue under a black light and the babies are starting to glow under the black light. Even the fossilized remains of ancient scorpions still glow. Mom doesn't like the idea of me bringing back 13 scorpions.
On August 4th, I will be moving back home with Mom. I will still have to finish editing the documentary, but I will still be getting paid for my work. I will be looking for a job in the Chattanooga area. My original plans were to go where ever the job takes me. However, with Dad gone, I want to stay home for a while and help Mom out. Not to mention that I'll save some money for a while at least. Also, Volkswagen has decided to build a plant in Chattanooga. I'm keeping tabs on when they are hiring. Who knows, maybe I'll be driving a VW around, haha.
Mom has paid off the house and paid off my car. My car is coated with some kind of protective coating that is supposed to last five years. I remember telling my Dad that and he asked "Do you think you'll keep your car that long?"
Other than the film documentary, I am helping one of my friends, Kristen, record some songs that she has written. We played at an Open-Mic-Night here in Cookeville. She met some people and got a offer to play at a Habitat for Humanity concert in September. She accepted and I'm helping her get an album together before her gig and to also create a Myspace Music account for her. So, in some regards, I am her agent/mananger/publicist, etc. I just have to think of a name for my record company...
Last week, I played golf with my cousin Steven. I took my Dad's clubs for a round of golf. Everynow and then, when I have time, I plan to take them for a round at my Dad's favorite place to golf: Fall Creek Falls.
Until next time
30 May 2008
May 2008 Letter (repost)
April showers bring May Flowers...and the pollen...
...and May is almost gone too...
Time again has passed so quickly I cannot keep up.
Our Senior Design Project went well. There were six groups and the projects were chosen by each individual group and submitted to the instructor for approval. I was in group six. To keep a long story short, our group's project was an unmanned aerial vehicle featuring coaxial counter-rotating blades in a ducted fan setup and a louver control system. We repeatedly asked ourselves if we were in over our head. I was in a great group though. Each one was a very reliable person and we got along great and everyone did their job and very well I might add. In the end, we and our instructor chose not to fly our UAV. The reason is that we did not have the proper facilities to test our UAV. However, we tested each individual component and it worked very well. The instructor was impressed and we received an A on our project.
On April 13th, I had a dinner party. Using my Dad's recipe, I cooked sweet and sour chicken. I had invited over my favorite people that I know here at TTU. They have the same morals as I and we always have a good time. After dinner, I and my friend played guitar to entertain our guests.
The weather has been odd here lately. In the last week of April, the temperature dropped down into the upper 30's for the low. It only happened for two nights and then it was nice and warm again. Thankfully, during the week of final exams, the weather has been quite beautiful.
The Thursday before commencement was a long night. Commencement practice was at 1600, then an engineering social event was afterwards, and then my fraternity's graduation party. I was expected to go since I'm graduating and all. Not to mention that I will receive a nice shiny plaque for being an officer in my fraternity.
Mom came up the day before commencement and we ran around Cookeville. She wanted to look for something to wear for commencement. So we ran around Jefferson Plaza where they have a Goodies, Belk, Kohl's, Sears, etc.
On May 3rd, I had an 8am ceremony for Order of the Engineer. The organization is committed to maintaining the integrity and dedication of the Engineering Profession. Those joining each received a stainless steel ring to be worn on the fifth finger on the working hand as a reminder of our duty as an engineer. 9am I had to get in line for Commencement. It was crowded. I haven't been to an event this big in a long time. This was the largest graduating class at TTU. 10am Commencement began. There were 1,197 graduating students. I was afraid of falling asleep during commencement because I was up at 3am ironing my pants and shirt and shining my shoes. But I was awake the entire time. Commencement ended at about 1pm. It sure didn't feel like 3 hours.
On the day of commencement, there were also other events occurring in Cookeville. TTU was hosting the Mini Baja Race, a Baseball game was going on, and Cookeville's Prom was also on this day. So, we chose to buy some steaks and just grill out at the apartment to avoid the crowd and traffic.
About a year ago my roommate and I bought two pet Emperor Scorpions from Petco. We ended up getting a male and a female. About a month or so later I saw the male scorpion doing some weird dance. I did some research on scorpion behavior and indeed he was doing a mating ritual dance. Then a week or so later I found that the female had killed the male and was eating him. She got a 14.99 meal. Fast forward to now and my scorpion has been fat for some reason. It turns out she was gravid. On Friday, May 2nd, she had 3 scorplings, or baby scorpions, on her back. The next day she had about 16 total. The babies will ride on the mother's back for about 2 weeks. They will then molt and be able to run around on their own. Now the question is what am I going to do with all these scorpions. I will probably separate them from the mother and try to raise them and when they are old enough, I will sell them and/or see if local pet shops wants to buy them to sell.
Until next time, take care and be well.
...and May is almost gone too...
Time again has passed so quickly I cannot keep up.
Our Senior Design Project went well. There were six groups and the projects were chosen by each individual group and submitted to the instructor for approval. I was in group six. To keep a long story short, our group's project was an unmanned aerial vehicle featuring coaxial counter-rotating blades in a ducted fan setup and a louver control system. We repeatedly asked ourselves if we were in over our head. I was in a great group though. Each one was a very reliable person and we got along great and everyone did their job and very well I might add. In the end, we and our instructor chose not to fly our UAV. The reason is that we did not have the proper facilities to test our UAV. However, we tested each individual component and it worked very well. The instructor was impressed and we received an A on our project.
On April 13th, I had a dinner party. Using my Dad's recipe, I cooked sweet and sour chicken. I had invited over my favorite people that I know here at TTU. They have the same morals as I and we always have a good time. After dinner, I and my friend played guitar to entertain our guests.
The weather has been odd here lately. In the last week of April, the temperature dropped down into the upper 30's for the low. It only happened for two nights and then it was nice and warm again. Thankfully, during the week of final exams, the weather has been quite beautiful.
The Thursday before commencement was a long night. Commencement practice was at 1600, then an engineering social event was afterwards, and then my fraternity's graduation party. I was expected to go since I'm graduating and all. Not to mention that I will receive a nice shiny plaque for being an officer in my fraternity.
Mom came up the day before commencement and we ran around Cookeville. She wanted to look for something to wear for commencement. So we ran around Jefferson Plaza where they have a Goodies, Belk, Kohl's, Sears, etc.
On May 3rd, I had an 8am ceremony for Order of the Engineer. The organization is committed to maintaining the integrity and dedication of the Engineering Profession. Those joining each received a stainless steel ring to be worn on the fifth finger on the working hand as a reminder of our duty as an engineer. 9am I had to get in line for Commencement. It was crowded. I haven't been to an event this big in a long time. This was the largest graduating class at TTU. 10am Commencement began. There were 1,197 graduating students. I was afraid of falling asleep during commencement because I was up at 3am ironing my pants and shirt and shining my shoes. But I was awake the entire time. Commencement ended at about 1pm. It sure didn't feel like 3 hours.
On the day of commencement, there were also other events occurring in Cookeville. TTU was hosting the Mini Baja Race, a Baseball game was going on, and Cookeville's Prom was also on this day. So, we chose to buy some steaks and just grill out at the apartment to avoid the crowd and traffic.
About a year ago my roommate and I bought two pet Emperor Scorpions from Petco. We ended up getting a male and a female. About a month or so later I saw the male scorpion doing some weird dance. I did some research on scorpion behavior and indeed he was doing a mating ritual dance. Then a week or so later I found that the female had killed the male and was eating him. She got a 14.99 meal. Fast forward to now and my scorpion has been fat for some reason. It turns out she was gravid. On Friday, May 2nd, she had 3 scorplings, or baby scorpions, on her back. The next day she had about 16 total. The babies will ride on the mother's back for about 2 weeks. They will then molt and be able to run around on their own. Now the question is what am I going to do with all these scorpions. I will probably separate them from the mother and try to raise them and when they are old enough, I will sell them and/or see if local pet shops wants to buy them to sell.
Until next time, take care and be well.
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