bozeman-mt

New blog home

2008-11-29T08:47:00.002-07:00

I'm now blogging at dcbigmike.wordpress.com.

DC is quite a change from Bozeman. I miss the mountains, but I am really enjoying life in the "big" city.

Did you know that the 2008 Capitol Christmas tree was harvested in the Bitterroot National Forest?

Moving on...

2008-09-01T19:54:00.004-06:00

I will soon be an Operations Research Analyst (GS-1515-12) with the Energy Information Administration in Washington, DC. I start in a couple of weeks!

Bozeman has been great, but DC will be fun, too.

(I'll start a new blog once I get settled in DC...)

ADDED 10/2: SOLD!

Minimalist house

2008-08-18T21:45:00.000-06:00

Nice.

Absaroka - 1939

2008-08-18T18:20:00.002-06:00

From the great blog Strange Maps:

Coincidence?

2008-08-17T20:24:00.000-06:00

I found an old pair of tights when I cleaned out a closet today...

Virgin Engineering

2008-08-15T09:13:00.002-06:00

From the internets:

(Yes, I "R" an engineer.)

Just call me Moneybags

2008-08-14T16:45:00.000-06:00

My blog is worth $6,209.94.
How much is your blog worth?

Stigmata

2008-08-10T20:48:00.001-06:00

The stigma of the never-married man

(yikes)

Some MT photography blogs

2008-08-09T07:25:00.003-06:00

A few I've recently discovered:

Montana Photography (Bozeman)

pjfinn's montana photography (Missoula)

Half and Half?

2008-08-06T15:12:00.002-06:00

Using your browser URL history to estimate gender

Here are my results:

* Likelihood of you being FEMALE is 50%
* Likelihood of you being MALE is 50%

Huh?

I sold my motorcycle

2008-08-05T21:51:00.002-06:00

Just wasn't using it enough.

Here's a pic from 5 years ago:

Show tunes

2008-08-05T20:22:00.003-06:00

Earlier, I showed my prowess in identifying composers of Impressionist music. Now, I've proven I can identify female singers of show tunes.

Yellowstone Public Radio has a program on show tunes every weekend. I was able to identify Ethel Merman and Angela Lansbury.

How is it possible??? - Well, the tunes are different, but I recognized Ethel Merman from "Airplane!", and Angela Lansbury from "Beauty and the Beast".

It's a small world

2008-07-29T20:50:00.002-06:00

Ted Stevens, the recently indicted senator from Alaska, spent some time as a cadet at MSU according to Wikipedia.

Karnival Kafe

2008-07-27T14:38:00.003-06:00

A few minutes before opening time at the 2008 Gallatin County Fair. (I returned later and got a funnel cake - a once-per-year indulgence.)

Rooster

2008-07-27T14:36:00.002-06:00

I saw this fellow at the 2008 Gallatin County Fair.

Bananarific

2008-07-25T15:18:00.001-06:00

Gros Michel

Meese

2008-07-23T20:28:00.000-06:00

Sprinkler fun.

(h/t Trish)

Hay

2008-07-22T16:59:00.001-06:00

Anybody wanna buy my mattress? I have a replacement in mind...

Happy Birthday to Me

2008-07-19T09:41:00.000-06:00

43 years old!

Videomania

2008-07-17T22:36:00.001-06:00

I can sing along to 98% of these (yikes):

Whitewater

2008-07-17T21:50:00.002-06:00

My family visited Bozeman over the 4th. Four of us went rafting down the Gallatin. We all had a great time (I was in the front and must have drunk a couple of gallons of whitewater ;-).

Montana Whitewater Raft Comapny

Piano Puzzler (!)

2008-07-16T20:38:00.002-06:00

I amazed myself by correctly guessing today's composer for Performance Today's Piano Puzzler. (PT is American Public Media's classical music radio program).

(I admit that I am easily amazed ;-)

Ouch

2008-07-02T15:32:00.000-06:00

I spy... a bird!

2008-06-28T13:48:00.002-06:00

Mad skilz

2008-06-23T20:28:00.001-06:00

Practice makes perfect - I can now shave the back of head without using a mirror.

Spin me right round, baby

2008-06-20T18:23:00.001-06:00

Anybody ever done this in Montana?

Gull

2008-06-18T17:17:00.002-06:00

I saw two gulls today at the Hastings parking lot. I think they were ring-billed gulls, but my bird identification skills are (unfortunately) very low.

Western Tanager

2008-06-13T21:03:00.002-06:00

I saw a Western Tanager today! (in a clump of pine trees near the university)

June snow

2008-06-11T18:30:00.001-06:00

Accents

2008-06-04T21:56:00.003-06:00

The Seattle accent seems the most neutral to me -- really no accent at all. However, the Texas accent sounds pretty atrocious to this native Texan.

(I love the "Hey Vicki" and "south of England" asides.)

Bozeman weather report

2008-06-04T16:00:00.002-06:00

Cold and wet.

Ain't nice when you're with a lady; ain't no fun when you're in the jungle.

40 WPM

2008-06-03T14:25:00.000-06:00

Well, almost ;-) http://www.typeonline.co.uk/typingspeed.php

Soap craft

2008-06-03T13:51:00.002-06:00

Click on the photo for a description.

I did this craft project approximately 35 years ago in elementary school. Time to throw it on the de-clutter pile!

I voted in the Primary

2008-06-03T13:17:00.000-06:00

Woo-hoo! ;-)

Political yard & window signs

2008-06-01T20:35:00.002-06:00

On my evening constitutional around the neighborhood, I saw two Obama signs, one Ron Paul sign, zero Hillary signs, and zero McCain signs.

Richardson's Ground Squirrel

2008-06-01T18:47:00.002-06:00

Currently Meara's prey of choice.

AAUW Book Sale

2008-05-30T20:36:00.002-06:00

AAUW book sale this Saturday 5/31 at the Gallatin County Fairgrounds. I donated five boxes of books, so go buy them.

Bigger Mike

2008-05-28T21:03:00.002-06:00

I hit the cookies pretty hard during the recent long, hard winter. Now I'm trying to hit the gym even harder -- to avoid Dunlap's Syndrome (that's when your belly has done lapped over your belt).

(I appreciate zaftig, but it's not a look I care to sport myself ;-)

I will derive!

2008-05-25T21:16:00.000-06:00

Head Bangers Ball

2008-05-22T21:24:00.000-06:00

Techno-lust 3: env phone

2008-05-17T20:55:00.002-06:00

I recently got an LG ENV phone. It has a keyboard that is just large enough for my big fingers.

Now I need to figure out what do with my old (circa 2005) Samsung phone.

Techno-lust 2: Asus Eee PC

2008-05-14T19:31:00.002-06:00

Asus Eee 4G-Galaxy 7" PC -- $400.

Techno-lust 1: Sony Reader

2008-05-14T19:24:00.004-06:00

I played with a Sony Reader at Border's today ($300). Very nice. I like its form factor better than the Kindle. You have to jump through some hoops to get it to work with a Mac, unfortunately.

It's supposed to work fine with Project Gutenberg. That is a real plus for me, since I enjoy reading "classics" but am trying to drastically reduce my book clutter.

Only 68% (!)

2008-05-05T18:59:00.000-06:00

68% Geek

I was stimulated...

2008-05-03T17:21:00.000-06:00

by the US Treasury ---- $600.

An engineer's guide to cats

2008-05-03T12:46:00.000-06:00

Review: Forgetting Sarah Marshall

2008-05-03T08:20:00.002-06:00

A great comedy about people getting out of ruts in their lives. Ebert's review.

Another "credit cookie"

2008-05-03T08:18:00.002-06:00

Iron Man has a nice credit cookie for those who read a lot of comics back in the day.

city-data.com

2008-04-28T21:33:00.000-06:00

They have a forum for Montana: http://www.city-data.com/forum/montana/

Like NetFlix, but for books

2008-04-26T18:35:00.003-06:00

I've never used this service, but it looks interesting: Paperspine.

Of course, the library stocks plenty of books. Then again, the library also stocks DVDs - but people still pay $ to NetFlix... It offers more convenience and selection (no driving to the video store, etc).

--
From the comments: Also, see BookSwim

Clutter control

2008-04-26T18:13:00.003-06:00

Has your stuff become clutter? Here are some suggestions:

1. Give stuff away via Freecycle. It's an excellent way to get rid of stuff that's not trash, but that's not useful to you.

2. Read Unclutterer Blog for inspiration.

3. Be thankful clutter is not controlling your life, as it does for some people.

Full frontal movies

2008-04-25T21:20:00.001-06:00

"Forgetting Sarah Marshall" has a semi credit cookie: don't leave until you've seen the "Animal Instincts" scene.

"Harold and Kumar Escape from Guantanamo Bay" has an NPH credit cookie.

Let's go for a walk

2008-04-19T18:35:00.001-06:00

Yikes!

Cell phone

2008-04-19T14:24:00.002-06:00

Maybe I'll upgrade to an LG 9900.

Bozeman bumpersticker

2008-04-18T19:54:00.000-06:00

Liopleurodon '08

Prediction for last snow day

2008-04-15T19:00:00.001-06:00

I asked an old-timer to predict when will be the last snow day this season. Reply: June.

That's a relief

2008-04-13T19:36:00.000-06:00

Gypsy curse lifted from Montana.

Home decorating

2008-04-13T10:55:00.001-06:00

heh

Hey, big spender!

2008-04-12T17:01:00.000-06:00

I spent $98.07 at the supermarket today.

Ski 20

2008-04-06T18:36:00.000-06:00

pow-pow

Porkchop recipe

2008-04-06T18:35:00.001-06:00

Recommended: Itailian breaded pork chops

epodunk

2008-04-05T20:21:00.000-06:00

epodunk on Bozeman

Well I'll be jiggered

2008-04-03T21:51:00.001-06:00

I cuss, you cuss, we all cuss for asparagus...

Jordan almonds

2008-03-30T13:39:00.001-06:00

Someone (I lost the email) asked where to find Jordan Almonds in Bozeman.

Smith's (on 19th) - aisle 14, bulk.

Mukluks

2008-03-27T17:58:00.001-06:00

Lately, I've noticed more Bozeman women wearing mukluks.

I know my car keys are in here somewhere!

2008-03-22T19:56:00.001-06:00

Ski 19

2008-03-22T19:49:00.000-06:00

I got lost on "Bucks Run" today...

No TV

2008-03-11T20:39:00.000-06:00

I sold my home theater last Sunday. No withdrawal symptoms - yet.

Marriage in Montana

2008-03-10T21:43:00.000-06:00

No bride or groom needed

1/20

2008-03-10T21:32:00.001-06:00

I have only one of Rolling Stone's 20 Most Annoying Songs on CD. My only defense is that it was part of a pop anthology CD:

Review: The Bank Job

2008-03-10T21:06:00.002-06:00

Starts out as a caper story but then turns hard-boiled. Highly recommended.

Ski 18

2008-03-09T18:38:00.002-06:00

Today was the last day of the Eagle Mount ski season at Bridger Bowl. I'm a bit sad - I really enjoyed helping disabled skiers this season. The other volunteers were great, too. Every one was a good skier and eager to help the participants.

Yum

2008-03-02T19:53:00.002-07:00

Let's go make natural-snow snow cones!

Jeep Liberty

2008-03-01T22:29:00.003-07:00

That's what I'm driving while my Subie is in the body shop. I want my Subaru back, of course, but the Liberty does not seem as bad as reported by Consumer Reports.

Acid test

2008-02-29T20:30:00.001-07:00

I've been off my feed for a few days. So - I forced down a couple of slices of mall pizza this evening. That should fix me up, right?

Ski 16

2008-02-24T19:31:00.004-07:00

Another good day at Bridger Bowl (would have been nicer if I had taken my long fet skis). I had a great crash at the end of Upper Thunder Road. "Great" because it was acrobatic, but I didn't get hurt.

My regular Eagle Mount client couldn't make it today, so I was "third wheel" on another volunteer crew. Note: it is easier to lift a teenage girl riding a mono-ski than a 30ish man riding the same equipment.

---
Update (the next morning) - I am stiff all over. Wish I had a live-in masseuse.

Holey-Moley

2008-02-21T20:26:00.001-07:00

In my quest for anti-packrattery and general self-improvement, I've been tossing out every sock that has a hole in it.

LJBF

2008-02-21T20:24:00.001-07:00

LJBF is easiest when it's a mutual decision, in my experience.

Wake Up!

2008-02-17T16:47:00.000-07:00

Cool videos and games

2008-02-17T16:45:00.000-07:00

Maniac World

Review: Spiderwick Chronicles

2008-02-17T16:44:00.001-07:00

A fun fairy-tale movie (might be upsetting to bird-lovers).

Ski 15

2008-02-17T16:42:00.001-07:00

A great weekend at Bridger Bowl, but I'm banged up and worn out from falling down and falling over.

Another campus massacre

2008-02-14T20:23:00.003-07:00

I have a friend who teaches at Northern Illinois University.

I guess the higher-ed community is small enough that
every such event will affect people I know.

Happy V-Day

2008-02-14T05:34:00.002-07:00

A couple of songs in the spirit of Valentine's Day:

1. Muskrat Love

2. Hamster Love

Ski 13

2008-02-10T16:34:00.000-07:00

I ruled the slopes this morning ;-) I skied only blacks in the morning (Three Bears, Brush Hog, and in the trees), then volunteered with EagleMount in the afternoon.

Montana Tendergroin

2008-01-29T18:28:00.000-07:00

According to Wikipedia, Montana Tendergroin is another name for Rocky Mountain oysters. Live and learn.

Teepee

2008-01-28T20:40:00.000-07:00

1. buzzfeed

2. Bozeman teepees

3. 1:36 - "it's better in a lot of ways"

Review: Sweeney Todd

2008-01-28T20:10:00.001-07:00

Sweeney Todd traces two psychopaths' rapid descent into criminal insanity. The main supporting character is a sociopath. Kinda Grand Guignol for the movie-goer's soul. Not quite my cup of tea, but you might like it if you enjoy slasher pics.

I sincerely hope this is the bloodiest movie I see in 2008.

"Handimals"

2008-01-21T22:10:00.000-07:00

Cool WWF ads.

Ski 8

2008-01-20T20:15:00.000-07:00

Lotsa powder at Bridger Bowl today, though kinda chilly (<0 degrees F). I was able to ski some new terrain in a semi-graceful manner: Southern Drawl, Teacup, 3 Bears (middle run).

Ski cartoon

2008-01-17T17:25:00.000-07:00

Review: Tarantino's Pizza

2008-01-10T20:51:00.004-07:00

Tarantino's Pizza is located in an interesting building on the NW corner of Main and Rouse in downtown Bozeman, Montana. They serve a great pizza and I encourage you to visit.

Depending on your preferences, you can combine your visit to the pizza place with other nearby attractions such as Soroptimist Park, the Salvation Army church, or the Zebra Cocktail Lounge.

Review: Overland Express

2008-01-07T21:46:00.000-07:00

The Overland Express restaurant located in the Gallatin Field airport serves a great stack of blueberry pancakes.

In accordance...

2008-01-07T19:03:00.000-07:00

... with little-followed blogging rules, "enjoy":

Free Motorola cell phone stuff

2008-01-04T10:48:00.000-07:00

Anybody need a charger or car charger for a Motorola cell phone? Free...

Domesticated

2008-01-03T17:57:00.000-07:00

I bought a one-year Costco membership today.

Happy New Year!

2008-01-01T20:50:00.000-07:00

Ski 5

2007-12-22T10:31:00.000-07:00

The skiing on Friday was excellent, due to the 12" of fresh snow.

I took a lesson and learned the secrets of skiing powder and chopped up powder. Stand tall at the beginning of each turn, then compress down like a spring at the end of the turn. Don't try to edge too much - steer instead. Stay centered on the skis.

Ski 4

2007-12-20T16:15:00.001-07:00

Wind-scoured hardpack at Bridger Bowl this morning ;-( I left after skiing a couple of hours.

SF tropes

2007-12-11T20:53:00.000-07:00

If you ever read SF, you might enjoy tvtropes.com.