Er Þessi Ég? (Is This Me?)

Your Rising Sign is Gemini

You often feel torn between two dominant personalities. Sometimes you're adaptable and friendly; other times indecisive and unsure. No matter what, you're the life of the party or conversation. Witty and talkative, you entertain with your stories and gossip. It's a bit difficult for you to finish what you start - jobs, friendships, relationships... There's so much you want to try. You often bite off more than you can chew.

What's Your Rising Sign?

School Days, School Days...

It looks like I may have survived my first university exams in over 15 years My Pre-Calculus test was the toughest and most important, but I think that I did well, even with life and work competing with my studying. The class is small, only about 10 regular students, but the instructoir is good, contrary to the reputation of CBC's Math Dept. I am glad that this class is going well, since math is going to be such a large part of my astro-physics studies. Now, I have to get back to homework and packing for my flight over to Seattle for a couple of days of meetings. See y'all later!

What Planet Should I Rule?

You Should Rule Jupiter

Huge and hot, Jupiter is a quickly turning planet with short days and intense gravity. You are perfect to rule Jupiter, because you are both dominant and kind. You have great strength and confidence, but you never abuse your power. You are always right. Even if you make mistakes, you compensate for them... before anyone knows it. Headstrong and ambitious, you always have a goal in mind. You are optimistic and believe thing things will always work out.

What Planet Should You Rule?

A Magical Moment in the Sun

Saturday I climbed up past Summerland on the east flank of Mt. Rainier and made my way up over Panhandle Gap. In fact, I think that this hike/run constituted a "personal best" in terms of speed and endurance over the approximately 15 miles that I covered that day. I say that "I think" because I never take such things seriously enough to actually time them...life is too short;-) At any rate, I literally ran the 2+ miles up from Summerland, over the gap and out on the ridgeline to a point overlooking the Sarvent Glaciers, and then back again, racing nightfall the whole way...too much fun!

During my trek I did find a rock outcropping that projected out over the Sarvent Glacier, some 500 feet below. I climbed out and sat there on the edge of oblivion, enjoying the cool air, deep blue skies and last vestiges of warmth from the late afternoon sun, all the while looking out over the Fryingpan Creek valley and marveling at the pristine mountain beauty displayed before me. This late in the day there was not another soul within miles and I truly felt as if all of this magnificence was placed there for me to enjoy.

Just when I believed the moment to be as perfect as possible (well, except for...you know;-), a pair of golden eagles soared around the edge of the canyon, flying towards me over the icy expanse of the glacier below. Taking notice of my presence, they abruptly reversed their course, letting loose a loud, piercing screech, seemingly voicing their displeasure at my unwanted intrusion into their domain. Then, as they turned, banking and exposing their undersides to the setting sun's soft, warm light, they literally exploded in a brilliant display of amber and gold, rivaling the beauty of the sun itself. Then they were gone, leaving me sitting there alone, breathless in my wonder at the magnificent display of nature's beauty that I had just witnessed.

The lengthing of the shadows from the mountain behind me presaged the coming of darkness, hastening my departure and lending urgency to my descent back towards civilization. Although I climbed down the mountain that day, I left behind me on that rocky outcropping an imprint of my soul and took with me a renewed appreciation of nature's beauty and a re-invigoration of my spirit that will surely sustain me for many days to come.

Ah, Campus Life...Again

Okay, so it has been over ten years since I went to school, and thirty since my last university math class, but I still tested out in the 34-52% range in algebra and trigonometry...good enough to skip a semester of pre-calculus. I started out this morning just planning on testing and then starting class next week. I ended up spending the entire day at the college; testing, counseling, registering, buying books *ugh*, paying tuition (NOT...being a state employee;-) and finally attending my first pre-calculus class tonight *PHEW* What a day it was, and what a blast I had...even I could not believe the effect just being back on campus had on my enthusiasm and energy level...I was so excited that I was told that I was acting just like a little kid on Christmas morning...and that is exactly how I felt:D I just hope that the enthusiasm lasts for the next 10 years or so, for this, that is...I know it will last a lifetime for her;-)...but, until it wears off...JAHUUUU!!!! (on both sides;-)

Erin Gruwell!

Last night I had the pleasure of listening to and meeting this famous author of "The Freedom Writers Diary", which is a compilation of writings by an amazing group of disadvantaged, inner-city students of hers. As amazing as her students and their stories are, they are nothing in comparison to her...charming, eloquent, dynamic and inspirational...AND a fellow revolutionary, fighting the good fight against bureaucracy and the sterile, stereotypical treatment of human beings. The experience of hearing her speak in person and getting to actually meet her touched and absolutely enchanted me. If y'all have not had the chance to read this book, I would encourage you to do so...I am about to read it again for the third time...and watch for the movie, due out towards the beginning of next year...I'll be at the screening, too cool!:D

Bumbershoot Rocks...and So Do The Veronicas!!!

I spent the day yesterday in Seattle at the Bumbershoot music festival. The music was fantastic, with the Steve Miller Band, Copeland, and Sparta among the groups that I took in while there. I ended the day with The Veronicas and Jess and Lisa did not disappoint me...they were every bit as beautiful, charming and rocking as I imagined them to be...especially Lisa *sigh* (I caught her eye early on in the concert and I have been smitten every since;-) Their music was even more awesome in person and I will catch them every time they are playiing anywhere even close to me. Of course, there were quite a few local artisits occupying the street corners and they were every bit as entertaining as the big name bands. Being Seattle, it was at least as much fun watching the people as it was the bands. Folks of every size, shape, description and mental state were out in profusion. The day was picture perfect, sunny, blue skies, warm, just made for laying out in a sunny spot in the grass and listening to a rock band bang it out on stage in front of you. I cannot think of a much more enjoyable way to spend Labor Day and I will be back next year, once again!

Back to School!!!

After a 10 year hiatus from furthering my education, Friday I enrolled as a student at Columbia Basin College with the intent of beginning my life-long goal, that of acquiring a PhD in Astrophysics. Okay, I know that it sounds like a fairly lofty goal and I must admit that it does seem daunting, even to me, but you know, if I never get started at it I will most certainly never complete it. Besides, I estimate that it will take 10-15 years for me to achieve my goal, given that I shall have to continue working full time during that period. But what an amazingly satisfying achievment it shall be when I complete it...I just can't wait for the first class to start:D I shall be taking my mathematics pre-requisiites at CBC and then transferring over to WSU to continue on toward my doctorate. All that it took to get me started is for me and my best friend to agree to nag each other until we both started on our goals...she started working on her MBA this fall at WSU and now I am off and running towards my PhD. It shall be interesting to see which of us gets the furthest and how fast we get there, though in the end the most important thing is that we accomplish something...and, of course, it is always more fun to do it together;-) See y'all around campus, dudes:D

Back From Paradise

Our trip to Glacier was absolutely spectacular. We hiked over 75 miles across the Continental Divide, walked through some magnificent country, saw grizzly bears, were chased by a forest fire and soaked up as much of the high-alpine country of this beautiful place that we could. Check out the pictures at the usual place, I promise to caption them soon. I can best sum it all up by saying that we are planning on returning next year to explore some more (especially the places the fire kept us away from this year;-) Vertu svalur, y'all:D

The View From Above

Off To Glacier

Well, I am off to Galcier National Park for a much-needed 10-day holiday of hiking and climbing. I have been trying to get here all of my adult life and it looks as if I will finally succeed. From all that I have heard, it is backpacking's Mecca and I might just have so much fun that I won't come back;-) Watch for the pics in a couple of weeks...vertu svalur, vini minn;-)

A Fire In The Sky

I took advantage of a brief respite in the sultry summer nights of late and once more took to the hills at midnight, enjoying the first cool evening in over a fortnight. I eventually outran civilization, escaping the glow of the city and passing beyond the desert hills that normally hide the southern sky from my view. I found myself standing in awe at the vast expanse of starry sky that lay spread out before me, resplendant in a beauty usually reserved for the dark, cold nights of winter. There, center stage, lay Scorpio, menacingly poised in its eternal pursuit of the mighty hunter Orion, preceded in its traverse of the heavens by the brilliantly illuminated planet Jupiter, who seemed to pause momentarily before slipping out of view below the western horizon. The archer Sagittarius followed behind Scorpio, completing the procession of the prominent summer constellations that marched across the sky before me. As I stood there, I was enveloped in a cool breeze that momentarily caused me to forget the blistering heat of the day. But ere that memory was washed from my conciousness, my gaze was drawn to the center of Scorpio's wide expanse by an intense red glow in the heavens...Antares, a distant, yet massive red super-giant star, a red-hot ember that seemed to smolder in the darkness of the night, reminding all who viewed it that despite the refreshing coolness of the evening, the morrow would indeed witness the return to dominance of summer's province. It was under the baleful glare of that siren of summer that I turned homeward, knowing that when sleep finally o'ertook me, I would once again dream longingly of Father Frost's coming and welcome the passing of the season of the sun.

The Way To The Top

John and I spent our last day together climbing the snowfields up to Camp Muir. John has tried this exhausting hike before but has never been able to make it. The day broke out clear and calm, with those all-too-rare beautiful deep-blue skies that you only see in the mountains. The snow was perfect for climbing and we made record time in traversing the snowfields. As you might have suspected by now, we did indeed make it to Camp Muir and basked in the warmth of the sunlight as we lay on the rock slopes overlooking the encampment. The, it was off at a dead run back down, plunge-stepping and skating at breakneck speed until our legs were so exhausted that they threatened to fail us and send us out of control into the rocks bordering the snowfields. Then, too soon, it was over, we were back down on the civilized trials and heading back to camp. John left the next day, headed back to Texas, but carrying with him the satisfaction of having bested his own expectations for himself and standing in triumph at the pinnacle of one of the many personal acheivements that he will undoubtedly attain during his long life to come.

Camp Muir

John hjá Camp Muir

Friends of Ohanapecosh

We spent a delightful 4th of July holiday weekend at Mt. Rainier. The weather was perect, the snow pack still sufficient to offer some late season snowfield trekking and I thoroughly enjoyed the company of my son John as we took advantage of the opportunity to get out and spend some time together. We got to renew acquaintances with some old friends at the park and make some new friends in the process. So, we bid a hearty "Welcome back!" to Barret, Mimi, Sandy, and Renee and a warm "Welcome!" to our new friends, Lauren and Beth.

On the down-side of the trip, I finally started piecing together something that has been nagging me for some time now. The magnificent old-growth lowland forest in which the Ohanapecosh Campground resides is DYING!!!...and dying as a result of the human activity that has been prevalent there since it became a part of the Mt. Rainier National Park. More on this later, but I am determined that politics and bureaucratic stupidity will not be the reason that this unique natural resource ceases to exist. So, keep an eye out for a new website focused on bringing national, if not international, attention to this tragedy. But until then...vertu svalur, y'all:D

My Daughter's Big Day

Here I sit in Fort Worth, Texas waiting for my daughter Victoria's graduation. It hardly seems possible that here is the girl who it only seems like yesterday that I was brushing her hair before school and trying to get her to decide whether it was to be a pony tail, pig tails, or braids (which I never did fully master) today, often all three, one after the other, as she changed her mind, with Daddy dutifully obliging; now standing almost eye-to-eye with me, fully looking the confident, intelligent, responsible (and, of course, most beautiful;-) young woman that she has grown to become. I have often heard that it makes one feel old to realize that your children have reached adulthood, but seeing Victoria now; full of enthusiasm and wide-eyed wonder at every day, naive and innocent, yet fearlessly ready to face the world, full of exhuberance towards being a woman, yet still every bit that little girl whose hair I brushed every day; instead makes me feel young and full of life, even a little rejuvenated at experiencing once again, this time through her, that wide-eyed wonder at the small miracles that occur every day, yet that we tend to become blind to as life's pace accelerates to adulthood. Yes, a young woman has indeed blossomed before my eyes, but she has only just begun to flower, with many amazing years to come before she fully blooms...I could not be prouder of her, nor more excited for her at the wonders and miracles she will experience in the years to come. Life on!!!

A View To Forever

While flying from Seattle to Texas yesterday, we happened to fly at eye level through what I have to assume was a contrail from another plane that crossed our path some time before. It's passing was evidenced by twin sets of wispy segments of tubes of condensed moisture that trailed off towards the setting sun...an almost-transparent, undulating series of of dis-jointed, etheral conduits forming a myriad of mystical portals through which one could almost imagine catching a glimpse of one's tomorrow. Then in a blink of an eye, the moment was past and they were gone. Were they indeed as I perceived them to be? Were they even there at all? The only certainty that I am left with is that my tomorrow will be, whether or not I am offered a glimpse at what it may bring.

Aldur Af Dagur Minn

You Are Sunrise

You enjoy living a slow, fulfilling life. You enjoy living every moment, no matter how ordinary. You are a person of reflection and meditation. You start and end every day by looking inward. Caring and giving, you enjoy making people happy. You're often cooking for friends or buying them gifts. All in all, you know how to love life for what it is - not for how it should be.

What Time Of Day Are You?

Og Þeir Ert

Your Eyes Should Be Blue

Your eyes reflect: Innocence and sweetness What's hidden behind your eyes: A calculating mind

What Color Should Your Eyes Be?

They Can't See It Coming

I just returned from ACPE 2006, an IT conference, and one of the main topics concerning the network security experts is nothing other than MySpace.com. They spent quite a while discussing how to block, control, police, etc., this site. I have to give credit to one of the presenters, he did finally offer the possibility that this was the wrong approach...go figure! Of course, any of us who embrace the "growing up digital" philosophy believe that there is nothing intrinsically "wrong" with MySpace, or any other blog site. These sites, as well as instant messaging, chat rooms, text messaging, e-mail, are all simply means by which the digital generation (as well as us "digital immigrants") communicate and are a part of their culture. Assuming that to be true, then there is no point in further discussion on blocking and controlling these things, but instead how to better educate folks in using them responsibly. It is a fact that throughout history, the emerging generation has set the standards and mores of their culture and by doing so have defined the new reality for all of us as they assume stewardship of our world. We as an IT community had better be prepared to support that reality or we shall most certainly become irrelevant.

Geek Fest 2006

Well, that's what Dalton Bly from ESD 101 calls ACPE...but then Dalton does not get out much (sorry, Dude;-) Seriously, I just returned from 4 days with the IT guys and gals at the Association for Computer Professionals in Education annual conference at Mt. Hood and it was as great as always. The weather was perfect, they even had a hiking session (with some good company I might add, but nowhere near as scintillating as that back at home;-) and the sessions were first-rate. The vendors were fantastic and I even spent 3 hours manning two grills for Ron Kaiser over at the HP hospitality house (of course, I had a BLAST doing it;-) The closing keynote spoke on leadership, communication and change...all on my favorite-subject list for the past year, so it really resonated with me and I enjoyed the conversaton immensly. It was a fantastic time and I am already looking forward to next year when we will put on a shin-dig at the Dell house that will put them all to shame, O já...vertu svalur, y'all.

Pennsylvannia Pictures

I finally have them up at my pictures site:-)...enjoy