Andrew E.'s Blog

Movie

2008-12-05T08:51:00.000-08:00

Class was good. I'm feeling confident that I can finish my map and it will be awesome. Landon is giving me a hard time, says I need to get off the computer, so I guess I'd better go. The last movie I saw was Igor, it was fun, worth a dollar, but to be honest I was expecting a bit more.

Toughest part of next two weeks

2008-12-03T08:48:00.000-08:00

Class was fun today. Taking the GPS points was fun.

Umm.... I have not one, but two mineralogy finals in that time, one of which is TODAY! I have the 230 presentation, a 411 presentation, and of course the map, the poster, and finishing the 230 paper. Anyway, madness has ensued.

Favorite web-site

2008-12-01T09:22:00.001-08:00

Class was great today. We learned how to add color and labels to our polygons and there were no problems.

My favorite site right now is the website for the BBC show Top Gear. It's hilarious. I discovered it recently and just love it.

Thanksgiving

2008-11-25T08:54:00.000-08:00

Class was good. Thanks for all the help with making shapes. Also the 3-D stuff was fun.

I'm going to my parent's house is Portland... today! So I need to go home and pack a bag.

Christmas Music

2008-11-21T08:55:00.000-08:00

Okay.... so I finally figured out the georeference thing. The shapes was more or less straight forward. Class is good, even if AcrGIS isn't.

I've got a roommate who is very enthusiastic about Christmas, and it's been the cause of some strife. Not that I have anything against Christmas, but everything in its place. I don't like Christmas music before December 1st. My roommate made his daily countdown paper chain a month ago!

Good Book

2008-11-20T13:54:00.000-08:00

Class was a little intense today. I was way in the back (only seat I could find) and it was hard to hear and see everything that was going on. I followed it alright, but it just took extra effort. This program (ARCGIS) is a little scary and confusing, but I'm sure I'll get it.

Endurance (I can't remember the author) is great. It's the story of Ernest Shackleton in Antarctica.

Favorite Restaurant

2008-11-17T09:50:00.000-08:00

Class was good. ArcGIS is a little scary, but it should be okay. No problems today. I wish I new about all those maps earlier!

I've got a lot of favorite places.... but Burger Supreme is good. Half-price burgers and cheese-burgers after 8:30!

Joke Time

2008-11-14T09:51:00.000-08:00

Class was good, thanks for the review!

I really can't think of a single joke.... sad, I know. Have a sympathy-laugh on me.

Power Point

2008-11-12T08:46:00.000-08:00

Believe it or not I learned something new about Power Point today. For example, I didn't know that you could adjust the page layout. No problem today.

The presentation was... um... inspiring? Mostly, she wasn't very interesting to listen to, very informal speech, and complicated slides with too much fine print. Very good timing though.

Favorite Class

2008-11-10T09:47:00.000-08:00

Today was good, I didn't have any problems following along and the help with getting started on the poster is much appreciated.

My favorite class has probably been BYU Jazz Voices. I sang with them for three years but the director recently left BYU (needed full-time work) and they've dropped the program... which makes me very sad. There are rumors about a new director... but we'll see what happens.

Places I've lived

2008-11-05T09:47:00.000-08:00

Class was fun today... Getting better with Illustrator all the time. Other than that problem with coloring the gradient tool, I didn't have any problems.

I was born outside L.A. but only was there a very short time. I grew up in Portland, OR. We moved several times there, 6 homes that I can remember. Then I spent freshman year in DT.... rest in peace... spent two years in Australia (Melbourne!) then two years at University Villa and now I live just south of the Brick Oven.

Free-bee

2008-11-03T08:48:00.000-08:00

Yeah... it was pretty obvious.

Um... class was good today, I think I should get an A just for making it to class! The exercise in Illustrator went well for me, I'm getting better with it all the time. No problems.

AH! The bell! I don't really have anything to say... Halloween went well. We didn't get a single trick-or-treater at our house... however we wouldn't have had anything to give them if they had showed up... so perhaps that's for the best.

Happy Halloween!

2008-10-31T09:47:00.000-07:00

Class was fun. You're right, this is a much better way of making a strat-column than doing it on Excel. No difficulties today. I need more practice to get good with Illustrator, but I followed the work today without difficulty.

For Halloween I'm going to a very non-Halloween play, and possibly a party or two afterwards.

2008-10-29T09:46:00.000-07:00

Hey... class was good. I'm going to try really hard to not sleep in on Friday and make the 9 O'clock class. I'm following along well in class but I need more practice with Illustrator. I'm still not that good with it. The most exciting thing was discovering the lithologic swatches.

The best costume I ever had was a suit that made my shoulders look a lot higher then they really are... just above my head in fact. That way it looked like I didn't have a head!

Future

2008-10-27T09:47:00.000-07:00

Class was cool today.... even though we didn't do photo shop. I've never used Illustrator before, so this is all new to me, but I'm enjoying it so far and I think I'll be able to make very good use of it. No problems yet.

As for the future, one of the things that weighs on my mind is what kind of career I'll have after I'm finally finished with school. Feeling a little anxiety over that.

Mini-Assignment 4 and Superstitions

2008-10-24T08:45:00.001-07:00

Here is my photo. I merged them, replaced the sky and cropped it... I also made it smaller because it was huge and blogger didn't like it. Class was great, I like the clone tool, it was fun. No problems.

I'm not very superstitious... however, I did pick up the habit of kissing my finger and hitting the ceiling of the car when going through a yellow light.

Mini-Assignment 3

2008-10-22T09:07:00.000-07:00

Okay..... so I'll be the first to admit that this one didn't come out too well. The coloring was really weak on the original photo and I wanted to see if I could make it more vibrant. I used color levels, contrast, smudging, dodge and burn tools, and all kinds of things. It still doesn't look that good.

Sports fan

2008-10-22T08:49:00.000-07:00

Okay, class was good. The color levels are very different between the 2nd and 3rd photos from class and I never did get it to look right. I tried using the dodge tool to make them match, but it didn't seem to make any difference. Otherwise, I didn't have a problem merging the photos. It's just really neat to be learning this program and find out all the things you can do with it.

As for the sports.... um.... not really a fan. I'm always happy when the Cougars to well and I certainly have an opinion about the game with Utah, but I really don't follow it closely. I'm something of a disgrace to my grandfather who asks me about the games knowing very well that I'll be totally clueless.

Fall Activity

2008-10-20T09:41:00.000-07:00

Class was good. I'm sorry I missed out on the artsy-fartsy stuff on Friday, but Death Valley was just so cool! Sometimes I have a little difficulty with Photoshop, but that's only because I'm completely new to it. Overall I'm doing well and can follow class. I must say I didn't like the Gaussian blur effect, but it does make a HUGE difference if you're trying to use the paint bucket to fill out the color.

I haven't been excited about Halloween for a lot of years... sad, I know... but I still enjoy corn mazes. They're just so expensive! How can it be so costly to wonder around a corn field?

Mini-Assignment 2

2008-10-15T09:51:00.000-07:00

Leaning no more! I corrected the tilt of the picture, cropped it, adjusted the color levels and also took out some shadow.

Mini-Assignment 1

2008-10-15T09:33:00.000-07:00

So here's my picture. I erased the back ground from the car using the quick selection tool, I also shrank it by 50%. I then put it on top of the blue building and cropped the photo.

Worst Injury

2008-10-15T08:49:00.000-07:00

Today was great. Did I really look like I haven't gotten enough sleep? It's the hair isn't it. Anyway, I'm really enjoying playing with photo shop. I'm following everything, but I need to practice it to get proficient. I'm going to be gone on friday, is there any we can get a handout or something that outlines the tools the class will learn about that day?

My life is remarkable free of injuries (knock on wood) but my brother did send me to the emergency room once. When we were little he smashed my head against our parent's bed, scratched my cornea. I got to wear an eye patch for a while, so that was cool. I still don't know why he did it.

Favorite season

2008-10-13T08:51:00.001-07:00

Class was good today. I'm excited to learn to use Photoshop. I got everything in class today.

My favorite season has to be spring... I get tired of the cold rather quickly.

Sparky

2008-10-10T08:43:00.000-07:00

Today was good. The review for the exam was great and I'm feeling good about it. I suppose I'll just have to put in some time this weekend to study so I can ace the test!

No, I do not hate the animals... though they don't always agree with my allergies. My first dog was a German Shepard named Sparky. He was great, and very patient. I was only little and I remember trying to ride on top of him, or having him pull me around in a wagon. Yeah, that never worked.

High Adventure

2008-10-08T08:48:00.000-07:00

Class was great today. I learned a lot about Excel charts and such. I feel like I'm following everything in class... so let's see if I can remember it all for the exam! Thanks for the Reference Card too. I don't suppose you've got those for Word?

I would love to travel to China. I've always had an interest in that part of the world, and my Dad's been interested in it for years and years. Watching the Olympics this year awakened this dream of mine. So I called my Dad and told him we were going to China. He took it rather well. He asked who was paying, I said that he was... naturally.

Breakfast food

2008-10-06T08:49:00.000-07:00

The object with the greatest observed difference was 8592 meters, object 26. I feel like I followed everything in class really well, it wasn't even that boring!

It's funny you should ask about breakfast food this morning... I didn't get any. I'm going shopping later today. I love waffles... but I have no waffle iron. I'll probably just get Grape Nuts.

Musical Intrument

2008-10-03T08:47:00.000-07:00

It was nice to have a review on this week's assignment in class. Also, I do have some experience with Excel, but like everything else in 2007 Office, this version takes a little getting used to. I think I got everything in class though.

I play piano... my mom made me (all us kids, actually) take lessons whether we liked it or not. We didn't like it and went kicking and screaming. However, to my mom's credit, each of us have admitted that we're thankful for it.

Weirdest Relative

2008-10-01T08:47:00.000-07:00

It was great learning about Adobe. I never new how to use it before, and it isn't that tough. I guess I just need to work on my revised proposal now.

I have a cousin, whom I am very close to, who is rather unique. He rides his bike from his home in Logan, UT to Orem so often it's like a trip to the grocery store for him. For a long time he lived in a tent in the mountains, then eventually moved his camp site into town. Homeless by choice is how he put it. Anyway, we love him all the same.

Worst Movie Ever

2008-09-29T08:49:00.000-07:00

I've always been curious about how editors made those notes in the margins of my papers. So it was neat to learn that today. Everything in class went well, I feel like I've got a good handle on it. Really I just need to do some good work on my revision this week.

This is a really hard question, there have been so many bad movies. Well, the worst movie that I've seen recently is Bridge to Tarabithia. I really didn't like that one at all, at times so cheesy it made me sick, at other times so sad it was stupid.

Issue, Point, Discussion

2008-09-26T11:41:00.000-07:00

The majority of the literature on the Virgin Limestone focuses on what can be learned about the end-Permian mass extinction from the structures found within it. While such literature is not directly related to the intent of this paper, their observations and collected data are valuable to determining the hydrocarbon production potential of the Virgin Limestone. From these works (Baud, 2007; Pruss, 2005; Poborksi, 1954) we collect observations on composition, thickness and lateral extent of the Virgin Limestone, as well as data on the surrounding formations, all of these are important when considering a possible hydrocarbon source rock.

Astronaut

2008-09-24T08:45:00.000-07:00

Okay, so I've never been the most computer savvy person in the room, but I think I can figure out how to finish my website/portfolio thing. It's good that I'm finally learning all this. I'm just trying to finish my paper proposal for Friday, that's the one looming ominously over my head. Oh, by the way, my interview with ExxonMobil last week went well. I mean, they didn't throw bundles of money at me or anything, but it was a positive experience.

When I was young(er) I made very detailed plans for the space station I was going to build and put into orbit. I took it all very seriously and swore my friends to secrecy concerning the matter.

Curry

2008-09-22T09:47:00.000-07:00

You know... I was playing Pictionary the other day and my word was "hypertext." It would have gone a lot better had I actually known at the time what it meant. So now I do, how nice. I'm fairly confident I can figure out the web page thing... we'll see.

As for food, I'm crazy about curry, I think Thai is my favorite.

Super Power

2008-09-19T08:52:00.000-07:00

Thanks for the help on my resume... if I land a sweet job with Exxon I owe it all to you! And why would I hate you?!? If you had written something like... "I think you are a morally bad person, you're ugly and you smell bad," then perhaps I wouldn't have been thrilled. As it is, however, I found your comments very useful.

Now I just have to do the interview... don't panic!

The super power question is very important... you can learn a lot about a personality this way. Frankly, I can't imagine anything being more fun than flying.

Power Tools

2008-09-17T08:36:00.000-07:00

Believe it or not, today was good. Honestly, I never heard of Refworks or Endnote before. I've been doing it the hard way too... it builds your character! However, I haven't got nearly as many references as you. I'm also anticipating valuable pointers on my resume.

I need to narrow down the scope of my topic. I'm looking at the magmatic history of the Alta Stock, mostly because I'm most familiar with that kind of system. Though, perhaps it's a good time for me to explore something different?

A tool, eh? Let's say a jig saw... they're cool... like me.

Dream Vacation

2008-09-15T08:48:00.000-07:00

Today was helpful. I'll admit I'm really not sure what to do for my topic right now, there are a lot of subjects on the suggestions list that I don't know anything about. However, I did find my old 210 notes, so that was encouraging. I'm sure I'll work it out.

I've always wanted to travel to China. My dad's been an admirer of Chinese art for as long as I can remember, I'm sure he'd love to go sometime. During the Olympics I decided that we needed to go, so I called him on the phone and said, "Guess what? We're going to China!" He took it pretty well.

2008-09-12T08:49:00.000-07:00

Today was really helpful. I've been planning on researching Exxon for the last few days but just haven't gotten around to it yet. I'm for sure going to do it now. I guess my only concern is finishing up my resume with a good opening statement... and then there's the interview itself.

I'm hoping my extensive work experience in the copper industry sets me apart from the pack. It's a different industry, but I'm hoping to show the interviewer that I'm eager to work, that I learn quickly, and I want to be a benefit to the company's productivity.

Best Prank

2008-09-10T08:45:00.000-07:00

As I mentioned earlier, I need to have my resume/CV done soon for this interview coming up, so today was very helpful. I realized that I need to research the company more closely. If I don't take a serious look at them, how can I expect them to take a serious look at me. I suppose I'm a little concerned with putting my CV together. I don't think I'm struggling with humility, I'm just not sure I have that much to write about. I'll put something together and work from there.

I've never been a prankster, but I've got a story that comes close. Long, long ago at the end of Fall Semester 2003 I was getting into the back of my roommate's brother's car. With half of me in the car and half of me standing on the street the car took off and ran over my foot. Nothing happened, I was fine, and I thought the tire tread marks on my shoe was the coolest thing ever. I retold the story later to a friend of mine... with some embellishment of the details. I thought I made it clear that I was exaggerating the whole thing, but apparently I was mistaken. By the time I returned for Winter Semester, everyone, including the roommate's brother, thought I had broken my leg and was expecting me to show up in a cast! I couldn't have pulled that off on purpose.

Scar Story

2008-09-08T08:46:00.000-07:00

I've used Word '07 several times, but I wouldn't say that I'm proficient with it. I still have a hard time finding some tools... though none come to mind immediately. The review in class today was helpful, and not so boring as you might think. Also, I need to make a resume this week anyway for my internship application with Exxon, so I'm happy to be getting this assignment now.

No real frustrations yet. I suppose I feel somewhat disadvantaged concerning the paper for this class. I took 210 a year ago and don't remember it all that well. Though I'm sure I still have a copy of my notes somewhere...

Okay, the scar. Remember when Razor scooters first came out? I remember they seemed like the coolest thing ever, especially for someone like myself who's never been gifted with a skateboard, roller blades, or even jump ropes. So we got a shiny new Razor, and I took off down the street. Our neighbors have a rather steep drive-through driveway and I made my way up in anticipation for the rush down the other side. Well, I hit the corner at the bottom of the driveway at speed, the scooter flew out from under me and I went down, hard. You can't really tell anymore, but a good portion of my right knee served as a reminder of my folly for years afterwards.