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  • Welcome to my Seven Day Work Week…

    Welcome to my Seven Day Work Week…

    …in which I talk about the hell week that leads up to the first day of school.

    As you may notice, today is not exactly Wednesday, but then again, by the time I got to Wednesday, not only did I have no concept of what day it was, but I was so behind on my work, I wouldn’t have been able to blog even if I’d had the energy to do so. This is the first week of classes here at UNT and for me, that means it’s the busiest week of the semester. Additionally, its the first week of the Fall semester, also known as the new Academic year and the new Fiscal year. Being that I am the solely responsible for getting all of the computer classrooms ready, as well as the computer lab, as well as hiring student employees for said lab, and making the majority of purchases for not only the lab, but the IT office in general, it’s been a pretty crazy week. And what’s worse, my week started last Sunday and once again, I’m back in the office.


  • My Constitution Has Failed Me…

    My Constitution Has Failed Me…

    …in which I talk about my loss of superhuman healing powers.

    There was a time, years ago, where I would almost never get sick. During my time in college, I found that I would only get sick once per year, and even then, it was usually just a fever that burned up to 103° and then pass within 24 hours. I always figured it was my body’s way of burning up everything that could possibly infect me for the next year. Yeah, it was a stupid comic book theory, but it’s what I went with and it worked for me. In more recent years, however, that any invulnerability to illness that I once had, has passed on with age. All this means is that I am no longer guaranteed to be one of the survivors when “Captain Tripps” goes marching.


  • The Grass is Most Definitely Greener…

    The Grass is Most Definitely Greener…

    …in which I talk about the futility of lawn care in the Texas summer.

    So, when I was growing up in Connecticut, we didn’t have a lawn at all. We lived in the deep woods surrounded by rich deciduous trees that would support nothing beneath their canopy but a thick layer of mulched leaves and moss. In those youthful days of frolicking in the rough, often brambly undergrowth of the New England forestry, I dreamed of nothing more than a lush green lawn with grass so thick it was like carpet that tickled your toes on warm summer days. What I got, however, was a house in Texas with a dry, desolate excuse for a lawn, with grass that is almost perpetually in hibernation.


  • The Mechanical Equivalent of Heat…

    The Mechanical Equivalent of Heat…

    …in which I talk about cycling in the Texas summer.

    I’ve refrained from complaining about the heat because I know everyone is sick of Tweets declaring the obvious “It’s Hot” sentiments, or even worse, photos of thermometers, which are often suspect. Nevertheless, I feel like I should write a little bit on riding in the blistering sun because it seems like any time someone learns that I’m still riding every day, they respond with a sentiment of awe or amazement. And while I do in fact continue to ride, I am more filled with a sense of pride rather than surprise at my persistence and dedication. But more than anything else, I’m proud of my change in outlook.


  • I Sure Will Miss That Little Boy and His Marine Mammal…

    I Sure Will Miss That Little Boy and His Marine Mammal…

    …in which I talk about my time with Gordon and the Whale.

    As some of you may have heard, Gordon and the Whale will be shutting down as of August 31st. My involvement with the plucky little movie site that could is an odd tale at best, but from what I understand, most everyone who worked for the site has a similar story of curious nature. So as the site winds itself down into the annals of internet history, I’d like to take a moment to reflect on my involvement therein.


  • Writing for One, Writing for All…

    Writing for One, Writing for All…

    …in which I talk about the individuality of topics, but the universality of content.

    Even though this is really a blog about me, and the things I’m interested in, I try my best to put a more universal spin on all of my topics. So when I start thinking about a new post, I look to my recent experiences for inspiration, but I also try to find a way to apply that experience, anecdotally to a greater theme. In a way, it’s kind of like a mix tape.


  • Practical Intelligence…

    Practical Intelligence…

    …in which I talk about my unique brand of genius.

    I’ve never been book smart, as it were. It took me nearly 8 years to finish my undergraduate degree. After another 3 years, I still hadn’t finished my graduate degree, and it is now on permanent hiatus. I’ve also never really had an over-abundance of common sense. I do a lot of things without thinking first, and often come really close to breaking something or hurting someone in the processes. But one thing I do have, is a sort of “practical intelligence.”


  • A Quick Update on my Pear Cider

    In my last home brewing adventure, I had crafted an experimental pear cider for my lovely wife who doesn’t care for beer, but is a big fan of Ace Pear Cider. I had looked up some tips and suggestions on how to turn the stock cider kit into a pear cider, but I mostly played it by ear. Having never brewed a cider before, I found it interesting in what was different than brewing beer. The cider spends a lot less time in the keg, and it is advised that it spend more time in the bottles. After everything, though, it was unanimously decided that the results were mediocre.


  • A Small World Review, Long Overdue…

    A Small World Review, Long Overdue…

    …in which I talk about a board game I’ve been playing for months, and has been on the market for years.

    So, it was over a year ago that I began to be interested in the game Small World, on the impersonal recommendation of such internet celebrity as Wil Wheaton. And while I was convinced that I would almost definitely enjoy the game, I was shy on cash, and – as always – shy on players, so I was hesitant to make the investment. As it turned out, before I had the funds to buy the full game, a version was released for the iPad for (at the time) only $5. To me, that’s an agreeable preview, and according to all reviews, it was an exact port of the original. And then came GenCon.


  • Two Days With the DCTA…

    Two Days With the DCTA…

    …in which I talk about the new rail system here in Denton.

    So, as I may have mentioned previously, we got a new commuter train in Denton, and while we were able to stop by and see it on it’s inaugural start up day, we didn’t get a chance to actually ride it until this past Monday. As I said before, we’ve been anxiously awaiting this train for 8 years and our anticipation has been growing as we saw more and more of the system fall into place. But now that it’s up and running, and continually improving, we can see a great prospect for it on the attainable horizon.


November 2024
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