(2) Mon Aug 02 17:42:48 MST Sunday and Monday together:

It has been a good commencement of another week. Fast Sunday was nice. I spent most of my time after church installing a new hard drive that I bought. I had never done anything like that before, and it was very educational. I had a lot of fun learning about the circuits and the plugs. I always enjoyed working with my hands, and I discovered how very easy it is to build a computer with a little training. Perhaps next job will be to get a wireless card and router and install that so that I can have a home network.

The reason for the new hard drive is because in the next month or so I am going to work on some family photos and scrap booking as well as fileing away all of my music on the computer. Mom is going to come into town the 23rd of August and she is going to bring all of the family negatives so that I can scan them in and make CD’s for everybody. I originally wanted to salvage all of my mission photos, but Mom talked me into doing all of the family’s photos. I think that it will be a nice stroll down memory lane.

Today I am also really excited because I found a source for my Botox. I received a grant to work on the mechanism of botox in In Vitro models, but I haven’t until today found a source for Botulinum toxin. I need the light chain because the full version is too dangerous for me to work with, and nobody I knew of made it. I have been trying for about 8 months to get the protein, and now I can proceed. Work is rewarding, but I find that I need to be better organized.

Louise is in Salt Lake for her last day of training and meetings today as well. She has to meet with her Vocational Rehab manager and then she will be done. It will be nice to have her back in Provo during the day. Louise is making great strides in her learning of Braille. I am gratified and consider myself fortunate to have snagged such a catch as Louise.

In honor of Louise having finished Farenheit 451 I have a word of the Day:

Noctivagant---Wandering at night.

Tue Aug 03 17:24:16 MST:

There was a storm last night and the power went out. Needless to say that our alarm clock didn’t go off and we had a nice little sleep in. Work was good today. Tonight I will be with the Scouts and that should be good. We are going to plan something to do for this Saturday’s Scout Day Camp.

I also found an interesting little website that archived all of the Presidential Campaigns from 1952 to the present. I would recommend it. The site is:

Living Room Candidate

I hope that the link came up. I am still learning. The site has some memorable ad’s Such as the “I like Ike” jingle and the 1964 “Daisy ad” that is intended to show how Goldwater was not to be trusted with nuclear weapons. I love the line “We must either love each other or we must die.” I really never realized how cutthroat and accusatory politics were back in the Pre-McCain-Feingold days of Campaign advertisements (see Nixon’s second election campaign ad’s).

Not much else is happening. Louise and I are just prepping for school. We also visited my Grandpa yesterday. He is just as sparky and sober as always. It was a nice visit. I think that he really likes visiting with Louise especially. That is basically how it is with the rest of my family. I think that it will also probably be the same for our children. That is OK because Louise likes to be with me. Grandpa is healing from a nasty little fall, and he is excited to have David when he comes up after his mission.

Well, that’s it for me for today

Wed Aug 04 17:04:52 MST Good Morning:

This morning I woke up at around 6:30 and I have never felt better. I lied awake for a few minutes and got up invigorated in a way that I haven’t felt in a while. It reminded me of the early mornings when I was in Nicaragua arising with the sun after a good nights sleep that was also after a hard days work.

A funny thing happened last night as well. I went to scouting as is usual and we went swimming at Provo High for our activity. I then came home and went on a run. I was only going to go for a 30 min. run, but as I was out there I decided to go for 20 min. out and 20 back. As turned around I increased the pace a bit to see what my body could take. I slipped easily into a clip and was probably running a good 6-7 min. mile. I made the run back home in about 14 min. A beautiful thunderstorm was amassing around the ridges of the mountain allowing brief flashes that lit the sky behind silhouetting their massive girth. In the midst of the clamor of the mountains the valley skies were reticent and lucid in contrast.

The light from the stars shined through the crystal sky, and from the side of the mountain you could see the warm lights of the many homes across the valley. I felt as if I could go up in the mountain woods and find a campfire that was surrounded by people and sit with them. We could sit in quiet reverence listening in communion to life while the phony trappings of modern materialism wafting away with the smoke. It was an invigorating night, and a pleasant start of the next day.

The air is full of childlike anticipation for something that is to come but that is not quite known. I guess it is the Indian summer that is getting to me, or perhaps it is the abundance that I have from time well employed. Nothing makes me happier than a productive, worthwhile life.

Mon Aug 09 16:52:09 MST Bostonians come home:

The weekend was an eventful one for us in our humble family. Friday Louise received a call from her sister Geneal who had just come in to Utah from Boston. They are finally finished with Medical school, residency, and fellowships. Her husband Russ is an orthopaedic surgeon and he accepted a job in Murray so it looks as if they are going to settle down there for good.

We went up to Russ's fathers house to celebrate Sarah's (our little niece) 7th Birthday. We all went out and took their bloodhound for a little walk after all of the cake and festivities were over. It is nice seeing them again. They are a cute family, and boy am I glad that Louise has some good genes in her because of my scarcity of such things (no offense to family--I am only talking about myself, which I am sure that you all would agree ;).

Saturday was also quite a day for me. I was part of a scout day camp activity that took all day. I was the only scout leader from my ward so I stayed to keep down the fort. I did a pretty fun compass class that involves a blanket over the head and an obstacle course. That was pretty fun. I was also a little tired afterwards. Aaron also took the DAT and got a 22, congrats. We all had a barbeque at Dad's house to celebrate.

Now I am ready for the rest of the week.

(2) Tue Aug 10 16:35:49 MST Science and Animals:

Today I learned something interesting. Three months or so ago there was an 18 year old kid associated with the "Strait Edgers" which is a subgroup of the ALF (animal liberation front who vandalized BYU's agri/horticulture buildings. He went into the animal holding area and stole all of the rabbits and various other animals. At the same time he vandalized the buildings by spray painting his various vulgarities and such on the walls.

Well, He took the rabbits and other furry friends home to be "protected" from the evils of science research and commercial animal cruelty. What he didn't know was that the animals had tracking/labeling chips implanted on them for the research that was going on before he took them to his house. Well the FBI searched for the animals using these chips and it just so happened that they found this neighbors dog who had the chip in his stomach, and with a little more investigation they found out that it was from a rabbit that escaped from this kids house next door.(so much for trying to protect the rabbits).

The rest of the story that he was just sentinced to 5 years.

Today I just happened to be working on a Rat Brain Prep where we took the brains from rats to isolate Acetylcholine vessicles from them. It took all day, and now I am off to swim with the scouts. It will be a nice day to swim.

(3) Mon Aug 16 12:54:10 MST Weekend:

This was a nice weekend for Louise and I. We went to the graduation of a Friend Adam Rushforth, and then visited with the family afterwords. We all went to Red Robin to eat and celebrate. He graduated Magna Cum Lade, and gave the speech. He was reading Braille and lost his place at the beginning so he had to wing it for 15 min. in front of hundreds of people. I think he did a great job thought and I couldn't even tell that he wasn't going by his notes.

As for us, we did a few things around. Louise and I had talks at church so we did that most of saturday. We also watched the Olympics. Louise just loves to see her country take gold. I think that I am also rooting for the aussies a little bit because they are really the underdog. For a country that has a population of 20 million to beat out others (like China and USA) that have many more people is remarkable. Besides, I like the underdogs.

It will be good to see Francis and Mom next week as well.

(2) Wed Aug 18 16:12:14 MST BoNT:

Today was spent at the lab again. I read some papers and figured out the concentrations that I need for a botox experiment tomorrow. A team of us are trying to get some good data for a conference that will be held febuary at Long Beach, CA. It would be nice if I could contribute to that. Louise went DI Shopping today (thrift). She took the Credit Card and boy did she go wild. (If anybody knows Louise, you would know how thrifty she is :) You know, I really am lucky that she is so responsible with money. She helps me to not be so spendy. We also had a lively conversation about who were the most influential people of all time. A friend of mine has this book by Robert Hart, and we used the website http://www.adherents.com/adh_influ.html to fuel the debate. My biggest beef was that he put JFK in the top 80's of the list, and while I support that he was a good president he certainly wasn't as influential as Lincoln (not on the list) or FDR or even Truman who dropped the A-Bomb. These were presidents who were influential for good or bad. You also have to read his criteria for ranking the people. Hitler was in the top 40's for example. Mohommad was #1, and we had a pretty good debate over that.

No blood was shed, and we are still on talking terms so a little vigorous conversation did us some good.

(2) Mon Aug 23 12:24:35 MST Is it the weekend yet? (Thurs Aug 19th):

No, but we are just about there. Louise and I went to a peruvian restaurant yesterday. It is called "La Carrera" and it was pretty good. I think I would like to make my own food for the cost, however.

I also received a call from the Hospital today to go and work as a volunteer. I will work the 9p.m. to 1a.m. shift on wednesdays. I also think that I will go in to work on Sunday same time if that works out better. I have to get a bunch of shots this week.

Wed Aug 25 14:31:29 MST Mom's In Town :

Kristen is just about ready to pop, and therefore, Mom is here to help when the little one comes. I picked her up on Monday at around 2:00 p.m. We then went to Stan Watts sculpture studio to look at some sculptures that the Prestige family from San Antonio had commissioned for a cancer center they are building. At Stan's workshop we also were able to see a few statues and monuments in progress. Stan was working on the Ronald Reagen monument for the Ronald Reagen National Library. He is also working on a Sept 11th monument that will end up being 50 Feet Tall. It is just amazing to me. His bread and butter work is mostly with Latter-day Saint Temples. He showed us some beautiful door handles and plates that he has placed in temples like the Manhattan, Nauvoo, Palmyra, and currently the San Antonio, TX Temple. I will never open a door in the temple again without thinking of Stan Watts. It is interesting to think that the Prophet dedicates his finished work in the temples.

We are shifting into high gear as well right now with school right around the corner. I think that I will really enjoy this year of school. I have quite a bit to do, but I will manage well I think.

I have also started playing a little bit of Basketball each morning with some friends. There are only 4 of us and we would invite more people if it were not for the fact that all of us are pretty poor in the coordination area. We do well for ourselves playing for an hour each day without being humiliated by somebody that can actually play well.

Yesterday I also saw a couple of friends from my freshman Dorm. My old roomate Aaron was with Jen, and we had a nice little reaquaintance.

(2) Fri Aug 27 11:09:52 MST Friday:

I arose today and left about 7:00 a.m. to go to play some basketball and at that time Kristen was just about ready to go to the hospital. She is now there and we are just waiting for the word to go and see the little bambina. I hope that everything moves smoothly.

I am also getting ready for a canoeing trip up to Salt Lake City's Antelope Island. The Scouts are excited to go there, and I think that we will have a good time. The weather lately has been sunny and cool with short bursts of wind. It will be a cold night, and I will have to pack my cold weather bag and clothes. We hope to do some swimming as well.

Well, School has come once again. I always feel that Fall semester is my best semester. I think my Fall GPA is a whole 0.1 point above my winter semester's GPA, and I hope that those facts carry me through this semester. I am taking three medical school level classes, and if I am able to ace those, it will look very favorable on my applications. I learned from my not having taken all the AP classes that I could have taken in high school. The better prepared I will be the better it will be for my schooling.

By all accounts I am optimistic about this next year. There will be adventures galore. Thanksgiving will be a treat going to San Antonio, and just 9 days after that the end of fall semester will come. Christmas will also prove to be very enjoyable as we will probably spend it with Russ and Geneal. I think that a little skiing and Playing in the Snow are in order for this winter which will probably be our last White Winter for a long time.

In Febuary we will probably go to D.C. again for Washington Seminar, and then the glory of graduation. Louise's Parents will be in town for that, and then we shall see where we decide to move.

The only thing for me, however, is that I need to keep up the work, and work hard in order to make the grade and succeed in my future plans.

Mon Aug 30 18:32:19 MST School's Back with too litle time,:

And I am going full throttle. Today started off at 5:35 a.m. when I got up to get ready for the Gym. I go to play some basketball at 6:00 with some friends, and perhaps I will also do some cardio/weight training. I always feel great working out. After that came the classes. I am taking Political Sci 202 (history of modern political thought)--with Louise at 8:00 a.m. I think that I will really Pol Sci, it is an honors class and it seems that the teacher is top notch. Then it is off to Biochemistry with a newly hired professor. I am grateful that I will be taking it from him and not from Prof. Graves who is much more unforgiving on his tests.

After that it was Advanced Neuroscience. I will really enjoy that class, but I think that it will take all the time I can give it. It is funny, All of my teachers said that I am supposed to spend 3 hrs of work out of class for every hour in class to be able to get A's. That means that with my 15 credits of in class time I will spend 45 hours of out of class work. Added up that is 60 hours/week. Then take into account 20 hrs of work so that I can actually pay for the food I eat and that turns into 80 hrs. Calculate in about 6 hrs a day for sleep, 24 hours for church, scouts, scripture study, Service at the Hospital, FHE, etc., and about 14 hours for eating/showering and I only have about 8 hours left in the week for all other things (grocery shopping, extra sleep etc.) I think that I have enough time for everything, but sometimes it sure seems cramped.

I also went in for my security badge today at the hospital as well as my shots and volunteer uniform. It appears that I am Tuberculosis negative and my Hepatitis C is boosted up. I like the badge. It has the area where I will be working, ER trauma, and my name and picture. I can also access certain doors as well.

I am also sad because I will not have enough time to watch the RNC. Oh Well. As for everything else, it was nice seeing Kristen and her little one -- Lilly. Mom is leaving Tommorrow and Aaron's Mom is coming in tommorrow as well. We also had a wonderful time Saturday night at Richard Oman's home. Pam made us some splendid, delicious peach smoothies. Francis was there as well as Susie. It was a nice evening.

Mon Aug 30 18:36:48 MST School's Back with too litle time,:

And I am going full throttle. Today started off at 5:35 a.m. when I got up to get ready for the Gym. I go to play some basketball at 6:00 with some friends, and perhaps I will also do some cardio/weight training. I always feel great working out. After that came the classes. I am taking Political Sci 202 (history of modern political thought)--with Louise at 8:00 a.m. I think that I will really Pol Sci, it is an honors class and it seems that the teacher is top notch. Then it is off to Biochemistry with a newly hired professor. I am grateful that I will be taking it from him and not from Prof. Graves who is much more unforgiving on his tests.

After that it was Advanced Neuroscience. I will really enjoy that class, but I think that it will take all the time I can give it. It is funny, All of my teachers said that I am supposed to spend 3 hrs of work out of class for every hour in class to be able to get A's. That means that with my 15 credits of in class time I will spend 45 hours of out of class work. Added up that is 60 hours/week. Then take into account 20 hrs of work so that I can actually pay for the food I eat and that turns into 80 hrs. Calculate in about 6 hrs a day for sleep, 24 hours for church, scouts, scripture study, Service at the Hospital, FHE, etc., and about 14 hours for eating/showering and I only have about 8 hours left in the week for all other things (grocery shopping, extra sleep etc.) I think that I have enough time for everything, but sometimes it sure seems cramped.

I also went in for my security badge today at the hospital as well as my shots and volunteer uniform. It appears that I am Tuberculosis negative and my Hepatitis C is boosted up. I like the badge. It has the area where I will be working, ER trauma, and my name and picture. I can also access certain doors as well.

I am also sad because I will not have enough time to watch the RNC. Oh Well. As for everything else, it was nice seeing Kristen and her little one -- Lilly. Mom is leaving Tommorrow and Aaron's Mom is coming in tommorrow as well. We also had a wonderful time Saturday night at Richard Oman's home. Pam made us some splendid, delicious peach smoothies. Francis was there as well as Susie. It was a nice evening. Yesterday (Sunday) we also had Katarina and John over to watch the closing ceremony of the Olympics. I also did some scrapbooking from my mission. I had soo many pictures, and I actually did a little more than half of the pictures (I just put the darn things in the binders). I am starting to understand what Francis said about scanning in negatives as well. What tedium!! Well I think that it will take a little more time than just till Christmas.

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