The Ultimate...

I just finished my lunch which was very nice thank you.  I enjoyed it immensely.  So things are going along pretty well for now so I will spare you the details, I am basically working on my proposal and the AA.  I did dishes as well.

As I have been doing all this I was thinking to myself, self, what would be the best snacky food in the world?  Well you can guess what y mind and stomach were also thinking about.  I have applied my scientific mind to this problem and have decided that what the world needs is a snack that tastes like it is solid trans fats (they taste dang good believe me, I don't understand why people are so excited to be rid of them even bragging on their packaging about it), or even the next step the fatty molecule that tastes even better than trans fat.  Then you have it organic, zero calories and helps you to fly, blind folded.  This would be an awesome treat (I though maybe "sweet treat" but there are salt lovers out there...), this treat will also taste like what your craving as well no matter who is eating it at the time.  So for my office buddies it would be raw squid, for me good old salty chocolate with franks hot sauce and for you...whatever you want.  This would change the world.  It would be way better than ipods and incredibly addicting.  Maybe even more than spider solitaire. 

Maybe the answer is in the next molecule that I was talking about, the one that tastes more awesome than trans fats, is taste able (only what you specifically crave at the time), not digestible and shoots through you like a laser beam, in a good way of course.  This would change the world.  I mean this would probably be a problem with causing starvation but who cares, we could add it to sprouts and broccoli and adults and kids the world over would be eating their greens, we could even make tofu ultimately desirable.  This I believe is the answer that we have been looking for.  The one true way that the world can be saved.  We could start living of off dirt, just through some of this little molecule on there and it will make it edible.  I think I will name this molecule the edible-"izer." 

So that is what I have on my mind today.  It doesn't help that my office friends next store eat homemade authentic Chinese food everyday.  I mean the smell alone drives me nutters.  Its a lucky thing that all the sweet Asian food stores/restaurants are far away, and that my wife busts out some sweet action cooking of her own. 

Well sorry for the random thoughts, but until next time think about the edible-"izer!"

Running Man!

Well I have finally started jogging again. I think that I am not really running, I a taking my time so I am thinking that I fall into the jogging category. It is nice. I am trying to usually go at 5am. This is about the only time of day that is doable for running. It is also the best time for the family because I a not neglecting them buy running out for 30-45 minutes.

Anyway I feel quite a bit sorer but I actually feel nice the whole day after I work out. I know that I would feel great, but I really have to actually get back into it and do the work. That is how life goes.

I think that I am mainly running so that when my sister asks if I went running I can tell her that I did actually go. Funny that that is the motivation to get out and better myself. The other reason is that Alison and I both want to be in better shape and have set a goal to be in better shape by the end of the year. We each have different goals obviously but hey we are different people.

That last reason that I have started to work out again is to prepare for backpacking trips next year. I hope to do 3 or 4 different trips and I will be much cozier and happy on those trips if I am in shape. One trip is a 93 mile trip that climbs more than 40,000 through the entire trip (that is if you add all the elevations gained up cumulatively). That will be a real thigh burner to be sure. So I want to be prepared to doe those trips and feel like superman rather than super slug on a salt patch.

Not to mention all the backpack trips, I also want to try and summit a few peaks as well next summer. Those will be mostly 1 day trips and non mountaineering but still being in shape will make a big difference.

So I am trying to get into shape and we will see if I can move the streak to something longer than 2 days. So far I feel great. Anyway, that is what is up with me lately.

Fixing Things

So a machine that I use at work is called an Atomic Absorber. This fancy piece of junk looks at how much of an element is present in a sample. It heats things up and does all kinds of fun things and has to have a coolant system to keep everything going. Well the hoses started leaking all over the place.

I called the company up that makes the machine and they said they could get me some new hoses for about 400 dollars. What a joke. Hose is hose as long as it matches. Well I went to the hydralic hose place for Vegas and got the hoses custom made for 90 dollars. I also got them done in 1 hour of my time driving around. This was a relief, but really what do those people think is going on, a hose shortage?

Oh well that is my adventure for the week. I will see if I can get the machine up and running again, I hope that this is my only problem that I have to face with this machine. It gave my lab partner a terrible time when she was working it for her project. It wasted months of her time, I hope I can learn from her trouble and escape essentially unscathed.

Graduate School

Can I say that school sometimes can be incredibly aggravating? I am trying to work on my masters degree here at UNLV. For me it is not only research but classes as well. I have to have 33 total credits to graduate. Well that wouldn't be difficult at all, except for the fact that each semester all graduate classes are taught during the tie frame of 5 to 7pm on Monday through Thursday. This means that we end up with an option of being able to take only 2 courses. This adds up to only 24 credits possible in two years. Not to mention that we need a variety of classes as well. You need to have several classes from different subjects and some semesters subjects just aren't taught. This makes it impossible for the student to get the 3 science, 3 policy, and 3 elective classes they need. Argh.

The reality is that education should be focused on helping students, not on being a cover for researches who do little research and even less teaching. I shouldn't cry to much about this but the reality is that a masters should take about 2 years, not 3 or 4. Especially when you want to move on to education on a higher level. How am I going to ever get to the point of where I can be a crappy teacher and screw up students careers to unless I get some help. Har har...

Well I guess that you can guess that I have just registered for classes. I will be quite unhappy if I have to leave Las Vegas later than I desire because I couldn't get classes that I needed. Oh well. Time will lead us where we need to be...

Things Work Sometimes...

I am glad that I can finally write to my blog strait from my email.  What a relief.  Sometimes it takes a bit of work to get logged in and then that is all the time I have.

Things are going well for us.  We thought that yesterday we would have our baby finally after they checked the lungs.  Well it turns out that the lungs weren't developed like the doctor thought they would be so we are back to the waiting game until the baby comes or wait for  2 week and then we will induce then.  What a saga. 

The hardest thing about the baby not coming this soon was that we have basically had Christmas put off for 2 weeks in a way...Argh!  I guess that is life.

I also had fun yesterday with the video camera that my parents let me borrow.  That is so fun.  I tape Zach my almost 2 year doing everything.  He especially loves to watch videos of himself!  He actually sat on my lap and watched videos for at least 10 minutes.  That is amazing if you know him.  He has no interest in anything to do with TV so far in his life.  So this is pretty funny to see finally.

The last things of interest is that we are noticing with Zach that he hates going to bed at night but will take naps just fine...we have two theories.  They are these;

Zach just doesn't want to stop playing and fun things and so tries to delay us.

The other idea we have is that he is doesn't like it because I usually am not present when he gets up in the morning.  That was Alison's idea and I may agree because he is visibly the most happy and content when he has us both there. 

Well that is life today...I just finished all my monthly bills and now am off to do some work...

Enjoy

This is a Test!

Well I am trying to see if I can post to my blog through email without having their adds show up...so here it goes.

A day in the valley...

We are now in Ruby Valley for the second day. Wow it has been quite the last day or so. We decided that last night after our hay ride through the fields of the Neff Ranch we would go in for a movie in town and pick up the new Harry Potter book...Well the movie we say was Transformers, which was a pretty cool movie. Seeing a movie in Elko rather than Vegas sames about 7 dollars. So the movie was worth it and I had fun with Sam and Ben Neff and my sister Melissa.

After the movie we went to Walmart and got the new Harry Potter book and had fun on the way home talking about the book again especially what we expect and about the culture that has developed around this series of books. Anyway I am not going to read the book until I am driving home with my wife. We do sometimes read books together and both look forward to this book to read slowly and discuss what we think is going on.

Well the fun of the day started when I got home at 2:30 am and went to bed after being up since 5 am. Zach at about 3 am today decided that he could sleep because he didn't eat any of his dinner or much lunch at all. Well we tried to get him back to sleep and other things and then finally fed him and he was ready to get up and play at about 3:45. This was not what we wanted and so tried to get him to go back to sleep. Well he was furious about the idea of getting back to bed. So I had to hold him and get him to calm down and be a bit happier and then he went to his bed and fell asleep after screaming and then crying for about 15 minutes. By this time it was 5:15 am. So this was not boding well because I was going to go to the refuge this morning at about 5:30.

So at 6:15 I got out of bed and headed to the refuge with my sister Jenny. We were trying to get 3 birds for our year lists, the Glossy Ibis, Black Tern, and Horned Grebe. We got all but the Black Tern, which I thought would be a snap. Well we went all over the Ruby Valley National Wildlife Refuge and didn't get a hint of a look. Oh well. With the other two birds I broke my record from last year which was 271. I am now at 272 and hope that I can get to 300 before the end of the year. I have 5 1/2 months left to get 28 species. Well that may be seemingly easy but with not much travel left for the year 28 more is a pretty high task. So we will see.

Well after that we went and played games and treasure hunts at Brighams and have had a great time so far. Tonight our update and talent show and then I may get some sleep...

Final Harry Potter Predictions

So I guess the book has now come out and I have my own copy so before I open it and not close it until I am done I will give a few final thoughts. Anyway here I go.

Harry’s eyes will play a big role. He has his mothers eyes and they will open up something for him that will aid him in a great way. I won’t predict how other than his eyes will aid him at least at Godrics Hollow. The place where his parents died. They may be a greater help to him elsewhere. Possibly at the deathly hollows.

I think that the deathly hollows will also turn out to be a place that Voldemort kind of has as his comfort zone where he hordes whatever grossities he surrounds himself with. I am not exactly sure about what to expect here…but maybe Harry and Voldemort will end up wrestling at the end wandless…

I guess about the last thing that I am going to predict is that Harry will not actually murder Voldemort but he will arrainge somehow Voldemort's demise. I predict that he will actually die at the hand of one of his servants, or creatures. I think that there is a good chance that the dementors will turn on him and he will go to repel them and he will have a Fred and George Joke shop wand switched to him and he will die that way. That is far out and all but she doesn’t really give a lot of information on what will specifically occur. I believe that this is about what will happen. Anyway, that is all. I am going to go and read the book…

I hope that you enjoy it as well if you’re a fan, if not give it a read and maybe you’ll enjoy it!

Ruby Valley

Well I am here in Ruby Valley with family. Finally. I am so glad that we have been able to come out for our family reunion. I realized that we haven't been back for about a year and a lot of things have not really changed, and somethings especially like the people have grown and done different things.

Anyway, things are going well for a great weekend. The first thing we saw after getting out of the car was Aunt Kathys cats. Fortunately for Zach they have been trained on being around kids. He loved them and actually petted them gently. Then he was having a great time with them and wanted them to play catch with the basketball. They didn't like that and scattered.

This whole afternoon and evening things have been exciting for Zach. He has loved exploring all the things that are new for him here in and outside the house. I think the biggest hit of all we have had today was the trampoline. Zach loved it. He especially wanted me to chase him around the trampoline. He would get himself put on and then order me on as well. He is getting to the point in life where he likes to have things a certian way and place. This I discovered is not only with inaminate objects (this is a big area for certain he often gets very disgruntled with he can't make things right and gets frustrated and we have to separate him for what is frustrating him) but really with people as well.

Anyway that is all for now, I will give my final predictions for the upcoming book and what our weekend is up to!

Harry Potter and Deathly Hollows Predictions

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hollows Predictions
By Chris Williams

Well there is a lot of predictions out there about how Harry Potter will end up with this last book being quite the finally. So I am posting a few predictions of my own to just clarify that I believe certain things will occur. This is to primarily avoid the I knew that was going to happen statement that we all hear after we the book. Looking back we all “knew it was going to happen”…

So basically here are a few of my thoughts and ideas about what occur. This is based on things that the author herself has said will happen in the book, and from reading the first six books and noticing patterns of for shadowing that she does often follow (though of course not all the time).

First of all I want to state that I will state things I believe will occur as an either or, this is primarily because she had written the books so skillfully that she can really take us anywhere she wants, and has given us very little to know what will actually happen. So along with this, what I am writing is my own conjecture to be sure. My wife doesn’t even agree with me on some things. So I am going to say this or this will occur “I believe.” I will attempt to go from big to small.

Okay for overall general ending I am going to put out the idea that Voldemort will be destroyed. This will come in a finality by Harry’s doing but with a huge amount of help being contributed by (these people I really think will play a big part even if it is a small way in helping Harry’s goal being realized) Hermione, Ron, Ginny, Nevil, Percy, Wormtail, Draco, Snape, the Weasly twins, Lupin and Mr. and Mrs. Weasly. He will get lots of help from other people, but these are all people that I think will play a part in Harry’s success in a way that is more than just presence to be sure. Some may sacrifice themselves, some may give knowledge that saves Harry’s life.

Now it has been stated by Rowling’s that 2 people will die that are main characters. I am going to say that she doesn’t actually mean Voldemort and only one other person. I think that we will sadly see 2 more than Voldemort. Prime candidates that I think will be on this list are; Ginny, Snape, Draco, Mrs. Weasly, the Weasly twins (I am going to predict both or none, though only one would be quite heartbreaking, so that might happen) and Harry. I think that the top three to possibly snuff it will be Harry or Ginny, Mrs. Weasly and Snape. That is my take on those. Depending on who dies as how I really think that could determine the direction that we are going. Given that she has began a writing style that is leaning toward tragedy I think the actor of Harry Potter, Daniel Radcliffe, should be pretty worried. He may not make it at all. If he does make it, I submit that he will be permanently scarred with more than the lightning bolt scar, he will be a broken person much like Frodo in the J.R.R. Tolkien series of books not able to lead a full life after accomplishing his quest always plagued by nightmares and memories on a very real level.

Okay about the Horcruxes, we are told that there are about 4 more to get rid of for sure. We have also been told that one of them is actually at Hogwarts (the author let this slip I believe). I think that the list of these that may exist at Hogwarts is a short one. First of all in an interview she stated that we have all ready come across a Horcrux in one of the previous books at Hogwarts. I will give my following guesses; the trophy given for acts of heroism to the school Voldemort received in framing Hagrid is one (what better place for things to never be thrown away and watched over by Filch with all loving care), the sorting hat is two but less likely, and maybe the sword of Gryffindor. I think that the Trophy is probably our best bet thus far. It was around when both Harry and Voldemort were and so one.

Okay about horcruxes. This is obviously a big focus of the book. Harry is going to have to get some major knowledge about these from somewhere or he is toast. I think that he will get information from Snape (not willingly at first of course), Dumbledore (in some way Dumbledore will have devised to give knowledge after his planned death) and the department of mysteries. We as readers don’t even know how they work, like forming and destruction mainly. So there is a lot to learn there.

Dumbledore is dead. The author has stated that he is not going to come back to life or that he is secretly alive somehow. I do believe that being so clever he has several things left behind that are intentionally going to be quite helpful to those fighting Voldemort. I don’t really have much speculation on how he will do this. Anyway, I think Faux will play a part in it though, and his painting in the headmasters office.

As far as where the book will take place…I think that Harry will return to school at Hogwarts for at least a short time. He will likely have a wild summer and breaks during school to be sure and then as usual after he finishes school he will have a big adventure to the deathly hollows. How else will he get the last horcrux if he doesn’t go back to Hogwarts? Besides, the story is based on a framework of occurring primarily at the school, and I think there will be a big part of the story there still as well. On this though we will see.

This is all for now. I will post a part two to finish my predictions…

Websites and Other Things

I am working on my family website lately as well as my business website. This has been quite the project to be sure. I have become quite the designer and programmer. Things that I would never have thought of myself before recent times. I am glad that I am able to build by skill set continually though wherever I end up. I actually really enjoy build web pages and sites. This is something that I never would have thought possible of myself a year ago. If I had known what I could do I would have done it sooner. I think that probably goes for many things in my life and many other peoples. We can a lot more than we let ourselves believe, or allow ourselves to accomplish (it is funny what work can accomplish if you actually do it and a lot of it).

I am so excited to go back to ruby valley. Things are just humming in my little brain. I want to do so much while I am there but only have a little bit of time. I think that I will try and live there again next summer. I think I may be able to get somewhere to live if I am lucky...

Lately I have realized a problem that I possess. I really am not career oriented at all. I will say that I am talented in many areas, but I often have little desire to focus on any one thing for a long period of time. Maybe (hopefully) this isn't a new phenomena seen only in myself. Well anyway, I like work and lots of it, but I sometimes think that I like doing what other people tell me to do so I can wonder after hours (body and spirit) and not have to worry about what would be needed if I had to generate and do all the work needed to feed my family.

Well that is all for now, I am going to head home and wrestle a 24 pounder who has a lot of energy!

Children...

Well we are currently on the verge having our second child. I have said a bit about her before. She has a heart that hasn't formed totally correct. What this means is...well we know for sure that this means we are going to have to watch very closely after she is born to be sure that her heart will support her.

So after she is born she is going to go strait to the baby intensive care unit for monitoring. If there are problems then she will be ready for surgery or whatever may be needed right away. So things are looking up for her survival if she does have problems. What blows me away is that 15 years ago we would have hardly noticed that a problem was there. Now we are prepared to solve any problems that may come our way. I am wowed every day...

So on this note we are excited and relieved. The ironic thing is that our son, Zachariah, really has no idea that we are going to be adding another person to our family. All the while though he has grown very close to us in the last month. He is very aware when both his parents are home and has started running up to us climbing into our laps if we don't pick him right up and giving us hugs and then just off to play again. This amazes me. It is likely just the stage in life he is in but wow.

Anyway, things are looking good. I am excited to see what happens in our inner family workings when the daughter is added. Everything we do will change and resettle into new patterns and ideas. The future is quite exciting.

Hummingbird!

Well over the last few days I was at home and hanging out for the 4th of July. It was so nice to be around my wife and son and soon to be daughter (she is quite active and moves so much that I see the belly churn on a regular basis). Anyway, on one day after we had cleaned up the house and were taking a breather we made some snow cones. As always when we have a treat Zach just comes up and sits in our laps and goes back a forth between us for tastes of what we have. If we would let him he would sit in the bowl of whatever it be.

Anyway so after he had a large portion of the snow cone he was very excited and started running around and giggling. Like non stop for several minutes. He was definitely on a sugar buzz. It was hilarious. I can see how hummingbirds do it. Then he came up and wanted more. Since then he also begs mercilessly for the green stuff that he sees in the fridge that we made the cones with. He definitely is getting to know the contents of our own fridge down to what he wants and doesn't want.

Jobs...

Well today I had what may have been my first interview in years for a job. I applied to become a substitute teacher in the school district down here and had the interview today. It went well, it seemed that after about 5 minutes I was "in" and we basically chatted after that. At one point she asked if I just wanted to get a permanent Job teaching a science at the high school level, of course that would take time but was what she thought I should do.

I was worried that I would be much less qualified than they wanted and well I impressed I guess. I am excited though after the interview to go into the classroom. I think that I may even go for a position that would be long term if it came up. That would be alot of fun, plus really good experience. Anyway, I have had a good day and am going to get back into the lab to get some stuff ready for experiments that I want to run this week.

I think that my good day is getting better because my wife made me a wonderful lunch. The best part was the home made bread that just made that turkey sandwhich heavenly. Wow I am lucky to have her as my mate!