assigning my own homework

My life has taken off to a different route in the last few weeks. My internship with BYU finished off nicely, and I have deferred my graduate program for a while so my available time has expanded and my possibilities with it.

I have found that it is necessary to assign myself tasks to keep me occupied with things to do and prevent the early onset of dementia (assuming I don't already have it).

Here are some things that I have assigned myself to do in the last few weeks:

1. Join an ultimate frisbee team
2. Replace my defunct cell phone
3. Eat healthier food
   
4. Climb Cascade Mtn.
5. Find out how to replace a car starter
6. Listen to BYU football domination
   
7. Take my sister out for lunch
8. Play more chess
9. Think about getting a job
10. Attend a missionary lesson with a friend
11. Hike a slot canyon
12. Save money
13. Spend money
14. Visit my grandparents
15. Go to the temple
    
16. Digest some In N Out Burger
17. Pray more often
    
18. Visit old friends
19. Visit new friends

So, thats the glory of assigning your own homework. Its a blast, I highly recommend retirement to other single males that aren't using their college degrees at the moment.

Holy Amazingness!

All I have to say is wow. I'm really glad that Microsoft has finally delivered on a really super idea with lots of practical applications. Lets hope that it only takes a few years to take hold.

First, a little background on the previous statement. For those of you who are not familiar, TED Talks are pretty much one of the premier prophetic voices in the world of technology. If you want to keep up with the emerging developments, read lots of blogs, and watch videos from the annual TED conference.

Below is a link to a really cool one about a tool called Seadragon that has been developed with some help from Microsoft and holds some amazing potential. The other application that is discussed after it is pretty cool too, but is no way as exciting to me.

Check it out:
Seadragon/Photosynth TED Talk

I have only one suggestion for immediate application: restaurant menus. Trust me, it will be big someday. Maybe I will blog this "consumer prophecy" later.

quote of the yesterday

Yesterday was a good day. I enjoyed a delicious lunch with a friend of mine which included a salad and conversation that incited some much needed New England mission nostalgia.

As the food induced coma was beginning to take effect, the word "nerdy" came up in the conversation. These days words like that can have slightly different connotations depending on who uses them. Naturally, I asked her what the word nerdy meant. She responded with one of the greatest definitions I have heard all summer:

"Nerdy: Loving the pursuit of knowledge to the point of ignoring and/or violating multiple social conventions." -Rachel K

Hiking pictures

Below are some pictures from a recent excursion to Sliver Lake up in American Fork Canyon. It was a blast!

I highly recommend the hike to anyone who doesn't mind going for a moderate 4-5 mile round trip (a little extra for some fun exploring/climbing) and has a car with a higher undercarriage clearance than a Ford Focus (the dirt road going up isn't kind on non-trucks).

Heres a good start for all you that are interested.