I have started writing a new blog a couple of times and have been overwhelmed by how much has happened over my last few blogs. You guys probably know what's going on anyway but I'm going to do a bulleted run-down for my own benefit.
- I moved to Logan, mentioned that already.
- I work with the guy that emloyed me as an undergrad, old news
- Drove off the road on the way down here, was aided by two forest service employees
- Worked all of my first week down here on the Great Salt Lake (here come some secondary bullets):
- Froze my butt off
- 3-4 ft. waves on the first day made me want to hurl but things got way better
- Leaking waders 2 days in a row (2 different pairs) first made me wet then made me very wet and cold and ruined my phone, which was replaced
- Moved into a basement aparment. How would I describe it? Well . . . its kind of like a basement apartment.
- Moved out of another basement apartment, I like basements and moving.
- Still need to finish writing my thesis, haven't done much on it lately, but I've had good excuses
- Really excited to see most of the family over Christmas and visit Erin's family in Ye Far Northern Country of New York State
- Pathfinder is hanging in there, I'm keeping my fingers crossed.
- Erin's living in Bozeman, finishing up classes for the semester and is generally burned out of class for the year, I miss her.
- I have cable and there is an actual TV show about guys playing Madden Football, its on ESPN (and I thought televised paitball was bad)
- The Broncos suck, I'm in the market for a new favorite football team, biding my time until college bowls start. By the way, what is up with 4 weeks between the end of the season and the beginning of bowls
- I should go to bed.
26 comments:
What is that? that picture is HUGE!
Your blog summarizes well what you have been talking about on the phone. I like the picture and the way you express your thoughts. May your Christmas be merry and bright. Did you get the Santa Claus jazzy song? Love, Dad
Thanks for the update, Joel. Good summary! Are you still hiking it to work, or have you resorted to the good ol' Pathfinder? Logan snowed in yet? I know you miss Erin, but working with Wayne is a good thing, I think. Take good care of yourself - - -and I'm glad you have cable! - - -something to do on Friday nights! :) I'm afraid the Broncos are pretty much done for the year. Even the defense, which started the year so strong, isn't looking all that strong any more. Boise State Broncos are still strong; we can always HOPE for a miracle against Oklahoma, can't we???
That is a big picture...or maybe its just your Moore sized dome on top of your shoulders.
Enjoy the basement. (insert snappy comment on lab rats and basements here)
Good point about the basement thing, I live AND work in basements (my lab here at USU is in a basement too).
I actually have high hopes for BSU, Maude. I'm just trying to manual keep them down so I'm exuberant if they win but not too disapointed if they win.
Oh, and yes I'm still hiking to work. Just call me the wheezy fat guy.
Welcome back Joel...we're glad that you have a good job, sorry you're freezing your tail off and you miss Erin, but all good relationships have time apart and we all seem a little better because of it...I know hard to hear from a lady who has been married forever!!!!
We're looking forward to seeing you in a little over a week!
from Melecia - whose user name & password don't seem to be working again! What are you studying at the Great Salt Lake? Cold temps and salt - a hard combination. Sorry about your cell phone. Garrett says the Atlanta Falcons are a good team and you can adopt them. We'll be driving up your way on Dec. 21st if you need anything!
I was about to say "a ride" but then I remembered the number of kids that will be accompanying you. I guess I could ride on the roof. :-)
You can always hop in with us on the 22nd, you know we STILL only have 2 of those things. I promise they don't bite. They might scream, cry, and spit a little but we all somehow handle the 3.5 hour drive.
Really you are welcome with us!
Sorry to hear about your broncos joel........wait, not really. yes my niners still suck, but i never had high hopes this year and thats a beautiful thing when you can't be let down. By the way, they surpassed your guys' prediction of only three wins this year so eat it, and they aren't even done yet baby, they might even get six. Crazier things have happened. Im glad to hear you are enjoying work my friend. By the way, i think your picture is lovely just the way it is. its more lifelike.
-Ryan
I always wondered what those boats next to the USU dorms were for. Now it all makes sense.
Nobody put a fork in the Broncos yet. I figure they can be a Wildcard if they win 2 of their last 3, and they're playing Arizona, SF, and Cincy (in Mile High). I don't know what you guys thought, but I was impressed with Cutler last week. That'll be fun to watch the BSU game on Jim's big screen.
I was totally impressed with Cutler, but then again I only saw the 3rd quarter on, I still don't know what the deal is, they better turn it around quick. Joel, did you really say they suck? We left like three comments already but they never post for some reason so hopefully this one works
Paul
I was actually trying to bait you on a reaction, Paul (he eh eh). I watched the whole game and thought Cutler was much better. I think he is less mobile than Jake, or it could be that the O-line isn't used to his behavior in the pocket yet, but his arm strength is obvious and is definately the big draw to Cutler. I am not actually looking for a new favorite team :) but I'm also mad at Shanahan for a number of reasons that I think are attached to his ego 1) we are finally seeing that not just any old RB is going to be a star in the Bronco's offense, 2) as a coach Shanahan needs to empower his players with confidence not undercut them, this is where the Plummer situation irks me, 3) he spent a first round draft pick on a QB (I don't have a problem with Cutler) when that trade could have been used to address a number of the broncos more real weaknesses. I don't think Jake was the biggest problem with the broncos by a long shot and I still don't. 4)I think the timing of Shanahan's QB switch might cost them a playoff birth (they would have beat Seatle). That's just my opinion, but it makes a part of me want to see Shanahan eat crow. I think he is a good coach but he's not a genius like so many people in Denver want to think.
Amen! As you guys know, the Broncos are my team, but Shanahan has not been my coach for some time. I still think he often looks - - and acts - -like a weasel.
Are we still looking for a scapegoat to blame Denver's rough go this season? Perceptions really differ in this passionate sport. FMM
I think its ironic that you mention the scapegoat issue because I think that has been my beef with Denver's treatment and perception of Plummer all season. Now that he's out the other problems that the broncos have had become noticeable because he was getting so much attention. If any one person can be a team scapegoat I think you have to look at the coach and ownership first and foremost. They make the decisions that result in the what a team can accomplish. I just think the whole thing has been handled rather poorly, I'm not saying that I want Shannahan out, just that I hope this has given him a reality check that he doesn't have a midas touch and his team management should be questioned.
I was just waiting for mom to do the weasel comment, lol. I think you are right about a lot of those things, they could have had Lawrence Maroney at rb right now from the draft, and I know they would have beaten Seattle with Plummer. But I like Shanahan and I think he'll be a Bronco until he retires. The thing that makes me mad right now are the fans and thier reactions, all of the band wagon broncos fans over the last few years are the most vocal ones when it comes to negativity and the Broncs. They ain't true blue and orange. You should consider a career in sports writing if your hippy stuff doesn't work out...just kidding about the hippie stuff...lol.
Paul
I'll show you hippie stuff. True dat about bronco fans though.
Ryan, are the 49ers a Jr. College Team? I think I remember them playing the Butte Miners, but I could be wrong.
Yeah, they did play the butte miners. That was a good game. It was nip and tuck there for awhile but they pulled out a win in the end. By the way, i like how paul put an apostrophe on the word aint, like its a real word, and that(ain't)would even be written like that.
lol, way to use a proper contraction Paul.
Your butt is my contraction
I thought the kid did a really good job yesterday. The two biggest weaknesses on the team right now are 1. the defensive front four (no pressure on the QB) and 2. the running game.
In today's NFL with the salary cap, every part of your team can't get an "A". Cutler played well enough yesterday that you could forgive the running game. I don't think Denver can get past Indianapolis without pressuring Manning, and to this point they haven't shown they could do that without giving up big passing yards. I do think that Denver is dangerous enough to go deep into the playoffs and they showed that San Diego is very beatable.
I like Shannahan and think that he's one of the top 3 coaches in the league. I don't always like his, "What have you done for me today?"... approach. He's probably learned that you can't put Grandma in at RB and still have her run 1000 yards.
Watch the Grandma talk, Glen! Against some of the running defenses I've seen lately, I just might make 1000 yds! :)
Hey, I like all the Bronco talk. There are so many Monday morning quarterbacks. Just admit that father knows best and everything will be okay..!!! How about Cutler in yesterdays game against the Cardinals? I like to watch Shanahan smile and shake hands with the coaches, and see the players greeting each other at the end of the game. Too bad the Denver Nuggets couldn't control tempers in the game with the NY Knicks last night. It will cost them plenty. I aqree with Glen about Shanahan; he's very much respected around here, and the fans are either like Tigger or like cry babies when it comes to winning or losing. I'm like "Everbody Loves Raymond's" father: "Skip all the crap and bring me some cake!!" Dad
Cutler had a great game and it is good to see him gain some confidence. I think a lot of my difficulty (and I imagine Mom's too) is that there is a lot of emotion involved in being a big fan of a specific team. What is hard about Shanahan for me is his seemingly heartless detacthment of emotion from those parts of the game. He seems cold and calculating; which suits him in many aspects as a strategist. I think he is lacking in the emotional leadership that some coaches have in inspiring players to play above their talent level when the situation calls for it. I think that is what I really liked about Jake, but Shanahan seems less-capable of harnessing that aspect of the game. Watching the game this Sunday I commented to Erin that it might take me a few weeks to really be able to throw my emotion into watching a game before this whole quarterback thing happened.
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