streubel
Christ-follower, Dad, Runner, and Scientist
AIM: revstrube
Glad I am not the Newt
Posted in Random on January 28, 2009
John enjoys posting blogthings on his blog on Saturdays and Sundays http://www.rejectedreality.wordpress.com so today I saw one I had to pass on from blog things.com
Your Medieval Occupation
You Are a Cartographer
*You have a wide range of knowledge and you’re very detail oriented.
*You have a photographic memory, and you remember places very well.
*Like a middle ages cartographer, you’re also very adventurous and curious about the world.
In modern times, you would make a good non-fiction writer or scientist.
I Do Have Opinions
Posted in Random on January 26, 2009
There is a lot that goes on in my mind throughout the day at any given moment. I could be thinking of several different topics – phosphorus characterization, how my kids tend to resemble me, how to save the world, how I wish I could be done with school, fishing, hiking, running, friends, politics, guns, and most of the time – how I love my wife’s body. Today however I am just a little opinionated – so…
1) I am not part of the 68% who approve with the President’s first couple days in office and here is why…
a) I believe the executive order to close GITMO before there was a full understanding of where those that still want to harm us are going to go was not a good decision. I think he could have received the same effect he wanted by publically commanding those in charge to give him exit strategies before the order. It is still a year away but I would have done it differently
b) The executive order to now fund international groups that support abortion – repealing the Bush, Bush, and Reagan orders.. I know the history and it started in 84 and was repealed by Clinton and now Obama – still wrong decision.
c) Out in 16 months is awesome, I want our soldiers home but deadlines are never good when playing with the enemy…
· I have appreciated the looks he has given Biden over the last week wishing he would shut up…priceless
2) I really dislike ABC’s streaming of shows on the web. We can’t afford cable because we made the choice to have high speed, therefore we watch our shows on the internet. ABC is the only network that makes you click to continue your show after a commercial…it has made the difference on whether or not we have watched a show…petty I know but I have an opinion. ABC – if you want us to watch your shows…don’t make me get up every 5 minutes.
3) People who honk at you when you are running to make you jump need to get in an accident – don’t really mean it but come on – it is not FUNNY and yes your mother was a snow blower (Number 5 Alive)
4) Lead, follow or get out of the way…more on this later…good book
Enough for today… written during a mandatory seminar that I have already listened to last week, but have to show up and look busy.
Unstoppable – Rabbit Tales #1
Posted in Life, Running Free - Brooks ID on January 12, 2009
This morning I was empowered – I was unstoppable by any form of human intervention. The world had nothing on me as the super poopsmith himself opened the shop door, what had previous housed a broken van, now housed the master piece. The stuff legends are made.
As the door was opened a cloud of blue smoke rolled through the alley revealing the 11th wonder of the world in all it’s sputtering glory. It’s dull grey and rusted shell trying to not stop because of lack of compression. Then in a heart beat (seemed like an hour) the fuel, pistons, glow plugs and injectors all started to work as an almost fine oiled machine. I hopped inside and pulled this grey mini beast into the street gloating in my awesomeness. Playing one of the only two English channels receivable on the radio I almost hit 55 on this beautiful sunrise of a day. It didn’t die at the stop signs, didn’t need to be plugged in at work, and no need to lock the doors I feel safe no one will steal my beauty.
Not a truck, not a van, not even a DeLorean (however going down hill I might hit 88 MPH) but a 81 VW Rabbit with 332,325 miles on the engine. This champ has been passed down from Bruland to Bruland and now to me…The girls won’t ride in it, the boys think they have died and gone to heaven.
Thus begins a series of post describing the world of the Rabbit…until it won’t start again at least. However today the beast was UNSTOPPABLE!
Written while sitting in a mandatory seminar on Organic Intercropping Systems.
My heart Aches for Van Zandt and Mt. Baker – Floods 2009
Posted in Random on January 8, 2009
If you know me you have heard me say over the years – you can take the boy out of Baker but you will never take the Baker out of the boy. Over the last 30 hours my community has been ravaged, as with others across Western Washington, however this is my community. As I write this the church I pastored is the command center for rescue. The volunteer firefighters who are in the accessible island Doug, Holly, Elvin and Frank are shuffling their best efforts to rescue people trapped by water and mud. Drake and Paul are taking supplies out of Paul’s house because they do not know if it will be there by the end of the day. EMS advised them to stay away but what would you do? The Mt. Baker Hwy has a new slide just south of Freeman’s house taking 5 homes in its wake, the Zender clan and the rest of the Glacier, Kendal, Maple Falls area are cut off from access to resources.
I would be volunteer firefighter number five, I would be there to stand next to Paul, Drake and Dr. Gantman. When you have been trained to jump into action as a pastor, firefighter, and support officer then when the worst of the worst happens and you are miles from the people who have your cell phone number and unable to do anything…I feel helpless..I miss my community. My heart aches for their safety – my friends– but I sit at a computer in an area that has blue sky.
I will pray, support the best I can but when tragedy strikes your community – my Baker, Van Zandt…you just want to be there…If you read this little post pray for those who are in the middle of the mess…and specifically that Paul and Ramona’s house will remain standing. So to my refugee friends – Tom and Joann, Peanut Butter Jar holding Jerry and the rest we are praying for you.
Below is a link to some raw video – when the talk about Van Zandt our home and church are just out of the shot.
For the Record…
Posted in Ham, Life, Running Free - Brooks ID on January 5, 2009
Since 1999 I have recorded my thoughts for the new year as a way to at least think ahead on purpose. Although if you look at last years list I failed at my goals but I was at a 50% so I won some and lost some.
For the record…
Read through the Bible
Take my wife on a date at least once a month
Play a game with each of my kids once a week
Pass my Preliminary Exams
Complete 2 chapters in my dissertation
Run 650 miles
Run marathon 6, 7, and 8
Stay within budget
Reduce my consumer depth
Upgrade to Extra class license (Ham Radio)
Make 100 different contacts
Read 1 book for pleasure
Yoda says
Posted in Random on December 30, 2008
In the world according to Yoda “do or do not there is no try” becomes the motto. This little green Muppets words are haunting me at the moment. Throughout my entire life when someone has told me I could not do something it has become the catalysis for drive and determination. This has been true with sermon contest, pole vault, sending students to Africa or ASB President if the cards were stacked against me…I would win. (with God’s support and help of course…we all know without him I am nothing)
Now I sit here 9 weeks from my written exams and everyone is telling me not to worry I can do this…why I am the only one right now who doesn’t think so? Please don’t send me a ton of email telling me I am a moron and can’t pass these test…I understand like Yoda would say…do or do not there is not try.
More important…I understand and believe with God nothing is impossible…still why am I the only one who doesn’t believe at the moment…maybe I need a good conversation with Dad both heavenly and earthly.
PhD Update
Posted in Random on December 22, 2008
Last night I was ask by a friend what I was going to do with my free time now that classes were over and I have nothing on the schedule and no manure on the ground. Oddly she is not the only one to ask this wonderful question which turns my insides out and causes my back to seize up in stress.
For those who care here is what is next for Jason and the PhD process.
- I have successfully completed all but one graded class in my PhD coursework including
Soil Chemistry, Soil Fertility, Soil Physics, Pedology, Soil Microbiology, Experimental Design (STATS), Environmental Biophysics, and Advanced Soil Fertility Next Fall I will take Soil Microbe Interacts
- Preliminary exams March 10 and 24
- On March 10/11/12 I will be given a written exam covering each of the 5 core areas above. Different Professors in the department will submit questions to be answered . Depending on the professor the test will be closed or open book but you plan on being locked in a room all by yourself with a calculator. The questions will cover everything in the 100 to 500 level range. The exams are graded and your committee returns the following verdict
- Pass – Fail Take more classes you don’t know enough and try again – Fail you do not deserve to graduate from our college leave now.
- On March 10/11/12 I will be given a written exam covering each of the 5 core areas above. Different Professors in the department will submit questions to be answered . Depending on the professor the test will be closed or open book but you plan on being locked in a room all by yourself with a calculator. The questions will cover everything in the 100 to 500 level range. The exams are graded and your committee returns the following verdict
Assume a Pass
March 24 will be an oral exam which will cover the same thing as in the written however they will harp on the items I didn’t master in the written. The exception for this round is that any professor in the department can show up and ask any question they like from anything to do with soils. The purpose is to see how deep your knowledge goes and to see how easily they can destroy you. I have been told “don’t say to much – they can smell weakness, don’t say to little – they smell weakness, if you don’t know the answer don’t bluff – they hate BS – they love the smell of blood.” This process should take anywhere from 3 to 5 hours. With the same 3 options for a result, however both written and oral must be passed to get out and you only get 2 tries.
Assuming a Pass
I am then considered a PhD Candidate worthy of a diploma if I pass my dissertation. I will then spend the next year or a little more experimenting and writing. I need to have at least 3 papers submitted for publication for graduation plus the defense. Because I work with agriculture I only have some much time to get things done because experiments are done in the growing season.
Needless to say it has only just begun…Merry Christmas
Not Cold Enough
Posted in Running Free - Brooks ID on December 17, 2008
I have missed 1 week of running in the last year (at least 1 mile, it was the 2nd week in March) however the last couple weeks of the semester have killed my MOJO on the running front. After a rough summer of running I was on track for a 500 mile year which was to slowly build to next years 1000. In order to accomplish this wonderful goal I have to hit 4 miles a day until the 31st starting Monday yes, two days ago.
It has been snowing and 0 degrees over the last couple days and the paper is not done but today I have to get out and run! I don’t care how cold or snowy I must get out and let my lungs freeze so my head can be clear and relaxed. To hold back tonight will destroy any hope of momentum to finish the paper in timely a manor.
I have to run…
Seize the Day Boys…Seize the day
Posted in Random on December 15, 2008
One of my favorite movies of all time is Dead Poet’s Society which came out during my high school years. My senior year our English teacher tried to reenact the movie throughout the semester, including having us stand on our desks and call him O Captain my Captain. Mr. Gorski did pull it off with a minimal lame factor.
On Friday my middle child, Joash came running out of the play room exclaiming Macuen was saying a bad word when in fact he was just telling him “Carpe Diem” which his mom had told him about earlier in day.
Carpe Diem, seize the day, it is Monday morning the air is a cold 14 degrees the snow is falling and I have one paper left to finish before the semester is over. Will I find excuses to work in the lab, keep looking at the computer or will I seize the day?
It is amazing; each one of our days is numbered by God for his purpose. It is my responsibility to be obedient… some days is easier than others. The question: Will I seize the day or will the day seize me?
Today: Day 12,731 in my life, yesterday is gone, tomorrow has no guarantees…
What will I/you do with my/your today?
My Plumbing is Backed Up
No, I am not talking about my “personal plumbing” but rather the house. I spent most of Thanksgiving and the 2 days following under my house replacing pipe and trying to move a mass of something towards the mainline. Late Friday afternoon as Thanksgiving dishes were still piled high in the kitchen I had to admit defeat and call in the professionals (who in returned broke my pipes), but by Saturday night Thanksgiving dishes and clean up were complete…
While under the house trying to free the mass I found myself getting bitter, angry, frustrated to the point of wanting to throw the wrench at the furnace. The bitter, angry, frustrated not so handy man came out of the crawl space with me until I got to work this morning to find the internet down – which I needed to finish homework.
Now it is 9:30 and after reflecting on words from Amanda Hamar and Ephesians 5:17-20 I think it is time to grow up – inflate the ball (sermon illustration she used) – and be wise with my time and get an infusion from on high. The weekend is gone and today has just started. It is time to live not as unwise but wise…
Just like the drain I think I just needed to consult with the professional. It is a continual discipline I need – without the continual discipline the spiritual outside and inside look a little off color.
Have you had a good chat with the creator lately?
Tales From A Poopsmith 