Jared the Kitty Lover

To say that I've neglected this blog for the last couple of months while lavishing all the attention on my photography website is quite the understatement. And while I can't exactly promise that I'll change my ways, I can guide you to some hilariousness in the form of my brother Jared. He's kind of crazy and awesome and weird all rolled up into a kitty loving little kid. And here is his new blog.

Happy Fiftieth! (26/365)

My father's fiftieth(!) birthday. This cake looks a little silly, but man it was good. Homemade carrot cake with perfect frosting.

Mamma B (2/365)

Jean-Luc Picard is my Hero!

Okay, I love my family. Love them to pieces. Seriously. But they're a little out of control in the way of nerdiness. I would dare say every single member except my sister and I could be squarely classified as what one would call a "trekkie." Just in case you don't know, "trekkie" is a term used to classify those obsessed with all things Star Trek.

Indeed, my trekkie family has star trek paraphernalia, magazines, books, all 178 Star Trek: Next Generation episodes, and pretty much all Star Trek movies ever filmed. In fact, taking my family's lead, I'm thinking of starting another blog which will function as a tribute blog to Captain Jean-Luc Picard. Okay, not really. Just a bit of tongue-in-cheek sarcasm for ya there.

But instead, I will offer up some random, but incredibly stimulating Star Trek facts:

1) The Star Trek: Next Generation franchise has made over $500,000,000

2) Commander William Riker was called Bill in two episodes only

3) Casters origionally wanted Sidney Poitier to play Geordi LaForge

4) The show brought in roughly about 20 million viewers weekly

5) Patrick Stewart's birthday is July 13, 1940

6) Because Spock was only half-Vulcan, he had green blood (T-negative)

7) There is a model of the Starship Enterprise at the Smithsonian

8) Q was named after Janet Quarton, a British fan

9) Next Generation was the first series to be nominated for an Emmy Award for outstanding drama

10) In 2370, Deanna Troi learned that she had an older sister who had drowned when Deanna was just a baby

And in case you're hungry for some more Star Trek tidbits, Klingon is actually a real, honest-to-goodness language. Here are some Klingon basics that I hope you'll try out at your next party. Trust me, it'll really impress your friends ;)


What's happening?
qaStaH nuq?

Where is the bathroom?
nuqDaq 'oH puchpa''e'

We are Klingons!
tlhInqan maH!

Your mother has a smooth forehead!
Hab SoSlI' Quch! (This apparently is a strong insult)

Still hungry for more Klingon language info? Visit the Klingon Language Institute here.

Okay, time for me to Sujatlh 'e' yImev...

Very shocking

Gee, can you tell that maybe the post before this was made by a certain younger sister who got into my blog?

Blonde One

see the blonde one...shes my favorite

I Have Seen My Death

Yesterday I found out that I am going to die on Thursday. No I'm not planning on my plane crashing. Actually, my mother informed me that she and my dad were both working the night I fly into Minneapolis so my brother would be picking me up from the airport. So what's the big deal, you ask? My brother just got his driver's license a few weeks ago. Not only did he just get his license, but he failed the driver's test twice before he got it. Ack! So why don't I insist on driving home? Good question. I was planning on that until my mother informed me that he drives a stick shift. And as scary as it will be to have him drive, it will be much, much scarier for me to drive. We'd be more dead than we already are. If that's possible. So in preparation for my death, I would like to write out my will beforehand. Very morbid, I know. But just in case as it seems somewhat likely.

Jill - All math books including calculus, ordinary differential equation, partial differential equations. Also, all solution manuals to these books. The entirety of my religious book collection.
Lizbrith - Biochem book (Very pretty cover) and my car.
Sam - Both physics books and my physics lab manuals and all shoes with less than a two inch heel.
Ben - Organic chem book and solutions manual and all my original photographs.
Mal - Solid state book and bike.
Jane - Inorganic chem book and all Ute paraphernalia.
Heidi - Analytical chem book and any of my shoes with more than a two inch heel.
Coxy - Physical chemistry and History of Jazz book and accompanying jazz cds.
Lyndsi - Art history book and scarf collection.
Bawden - All computer programming books and all Elvis cds.

Think that pretty much covers it right there. Let me know if there are any disputes or other requests but please make sure to get them in before Thursday afternoon.

Where the Wild Things Are

Tonight I found myself in the Barnes & Noble children's section, looking for "The Littlest Angel." On my way through the isles however, I found myself picking up all these books that I loved from my childhood and ones I hadn't heard of but had beautiful covers. Yup, that's right, I judge books by their covers. Anyway, one of the books I picked up was "Where the Wild Things Are" by Maurice Sendak. As a child, I always loved this book and I still love it. It's definitely my favorite children's book and one of my favorite books in general. So good! The illustrations really are masterful and I love the story. Max reminds me of my little brother. I think when I'm rich and after I've bought myself a nice road bike (priorities!), I'd like to collect children's literature. Some of my favorite memories from when I was little are those of my parents reading to me. I'd really like to do the same with my children.

Forgot one!

Forgot this one. Lizzie and my dog Baerli.

Pictures of Siblings

My little sis just sent me some fantastic pictures of my siblings and I from years ago. Top one has Nathan, Steven (my uncle), myself (that is one sweet headband), and Lizzie.



This one is Lizzie, Nathan, and Jared.





Lizzie and I. I must say that my hair has absolutely never looked better than in this picture. I have got to bring back this look. I'll get right on that...

Trip to Yellowstone

Since I lost my USB cable to my camera, I haven't really had any posts lately, but I'm working on ordering a new one from Sony. Hopefully I'll be able to start posting regularly again.

Here are some of my favorite pictures from the trip to Yellowstone I made with my sister at the end of August.

The first three were taken in the early morning after a rainy night of camping. Yellowstone generally has a certain amount of fog since the ground let warm moist steam into the chilly morning air, but this was more fog than usual.



This one's a view from Upper Falls (Part of the Canyon Area of Yellowstone):

Amazing colors by a thermal pool:

A very tired looking Lizzie:

Woods at the end of an early morning hike: