Posted June 9th, 2008 in Posts

For all those who have been wondering what I’ve been doing for the past couple weeks - I have one picture that says it all.

Yup - that’s about it.

-Brandon

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Posted May 24th, 2008 in Posts

I thought I’d share the following YouTube videos because they have seriously become my favorite.

Viewer Discretion advised for these next two - they’re not bad - just a warning. :)

Hope you enjoyed those. I’m still laughing. :)

Three months til my birthday,
-Brandon

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Posted May 12th, 2008 in Posts

I made a trip out to Boston this weekend because a good mission buddy of mine got married at the Boston Massachusetts Temple. This was quite a sweet experience for many reasons.

  1. I was born in North Dakota (Fargo incidentally) but moved when I was a year and a half old.
    Since then, I’ve never been east of Arizona. So it was my first time to Chicago, Rhode Island, and Boston. Also my first time seeing the Atlantic Ocean.
  2. Micah is like family to me. He was my trainer when I served in the Oregon Portland Mission from 2002-2004. We were only companions for 6 weeks, but we built a friendship that will be eternal. It was at the sealing of a family we baptized that we promised we’d be at each other’s weddings. It’s now 50% completed.
  3. I was able to leave Provo! Don’t get me wrong - I enjoy living here (otherwise I wouldn’t) - but it’s nice to get away and travel to new places.

Boston was an interesting place. It’s historic and truly one of the birthplaces of America. I couldn’t help but feel patriotic as I drove through towns that were organized in the 1700’s. Here are some of the pictures (click on it for the bigger version) -

Yeah - I’m a tourist. :)

Here’s the epitome of Boston driving - yes, that car is in the middle of the intersection on a red light.

Driving into downtown Boston

Downtown Boston from Quincy, MA

Atlantic Ocean from Quincy

Unobstructed view of Boston

The rental Car - with Jason (Micah’s Brother) - which we determined had “no guts”

Boston Massachusetts Temple

They have some beautiful flowers all over the Temple grounds

After the sealing - waiting for the bride and groom

Three of the four (on a mission) Lillrose sisters - Savannah, Samantha, and Tiffany

And finally - who we came there to see

Overall, it was a great trip and I’m very glad I went. However, as most people feel after being away for awhile, it’s good to be back home.

-Brandon

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Posted April 29th, 2008 in Posts

Well - it’s officially upon us. Winter is over (although it’s supposed to snow in Utah tomorrow) and everything is blooming. The only bad thing?

I feel like this:

I remember back in middle school when I would get out of class because I couldn’t stop sneezing. Unfortunately, the perks of not being able to function aren’t as helpful when you need to work. Luckily, Utah is very dry and this should only last another day or two - and then ill be ok.

In other news, I finished my month of no fast food today. I must say I do feel better - although not as much as I originally expected. Additionally, I thought I’d actually save money through this adventure only to realize that good food is expensive. I should have known. The good things in life always seem to carry a higher price tag. Oh well. I plan to keep away from fast food, even though my initial challenge is over. We’ll see what happens.

With spring term starting today, I encounter another joy that I’ve had a semester break from - classes. Every Monday and Wednesday I get to make the wonderful 45 minute trek up to Salt Lake to take Economic 110. For those that think I should just take it down in Provo, I have two words for you; Professor Kearl [shudder]. I’m nearing graduation and have finished most of my major classes, so its generals from now until next summer (when I’ll graduate…finally). Along with Econ 110, I need to complete Physics 121 and 123 through Independent Study this spring and summer. I’ve already taken the classes that require them, so I’ve already developed the “I just need to pass this class” mentality.

Well - that’s really it.

Good luck,
-Brandon

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Posted April 22nd, 2008 in Posts

Yes, I’m a slacker. What can I say? I lead a rather boring life. I wish more was going on…at least something interesting to write about.

Perhaps summer will bring about those things.

Until then,
-Brandon

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Posted April 15th, 2008 in Posts

It wasn’t until about 3am this morning that my paper was completed for IT 399R. I don’t have much of an excuse for why it took so long. This has been my only class all semester - and it can hardly be termed as a class. Basically - it enables me to receive academic credit for my current employment. I had to write a 10-20 page summary that included case studies to show proof that I really deserved said credit.

Of course if you know me I wanted until yesterday afternoon to start it. Its not that I procrastinated thinking or starting the paper; it had been outlined and was on my mind for the past couple of weeks. However, try as I might, I can never start on a huge project until the night before. This has been the case for as long as I can remember. Some might say I’m your average procrastinator (and to some degree I might agree with you) - although even if I begin a project weeks ahead, it it usually not my best work and would have turned out better if I had waited. I think it has to do with the fact that once I start something, I am not good at stopping until it’s finished. I want to be able to sit down, bust out the paper, and be done.

Essentially what I’m trying to say is this: I work best under pressure and with a deadline looming.

Hopefully this doesn’t come back to bite me.

Yours,
-Brandon

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Posted April 13th, 2008 in Posts
  1. My student loans would find a way to pay for themselves. Oh - and the interest rate for them would drop to -13%. (Yes, that’s a negative)
  2. NVIDIA would release a graphics card that is based on a chip other than the G92 - that way replacing my 8800GTS 320MB card is a better investment.
  3. My 10-20 page paper that details my work as a network engineer for the past 4 months (which is due on Tuesday) would write itself.
  4. I would have a dog very similar to this one:

  5. Drivers in Utah (whether from here or not) would learn how to drive.
  6. Questions such as “What shall I eat for lunch?” and “What do I wear today?” would be answered for me.
  7. The clothes in my closet would already be ironed and ready for the upcoming week.
  8. The fear of sometimes trying new things would disappear and I’d finally go sky diving after talking about doing it for the past 6 years.
  9. An hour from midnight to 7am would magically become two - and I’d get 14 hours of sleep every night.
  10. Apple Cinnamon Cheerios would always be on sale.
  11. I would understand a little better that none of these things are required for my happiness and I’d be content with what I’m doing, where I’m at, and my desires to change to become who I want to become.

Good night,
-Brandon

2 comments

Posted April 10th, 2008 in Posts

My alarm clock went off at 4:45am this morning. Why you ask? Today was the day of installing the switch stack (see a couple posts ago) in the HBLL.

Here’s a side by side comparison of before and after pictures. Don’t mind the quality.

Before:

After:

Old HBLL 4502

Finished HBLL-4502

I’m almost sorry you have to experience that from my phone camera. Perhaps Rachel will teach me how to take better pictures. On the left you notice the single chassis with multiple blades (line cards) whereas now, they are all on separate switches (however, the switch is one logical device…but we don’t need to get into that..:D ). The orange cabling is fiber, just in case you wanted to know.

The good news for today? I get to go home really early - and try to make up for lost sleep.

Happy Trails,
-Brandon

P.S - I’ll try to have less techno-jargon in my next posts…this I just thought was cool. Now some of you have a better idea of what I really do at work - since most might think I just get on IM all day. :)

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Posted April 8th, 2008 in Posts

It’s official. I am in love.

Our first encounter was 3 years ago. At the time we were both pretty lonely. As I remember, I had had a pretty long day and was in need of some comfort. You weren’t much better off as I can recall your concerns of being wrapped up, over burdened, and not given much room to breathe.

We must have spent an hour or two together that night. You were exactly what I needed in every way conceivable. You were tough and stood your ground on things I needed to feel. However, you’re soft side is what I enjoyed the most. It always left me wanting more.

Since then, we’ve spent countless evenings together. I’ve shared with you many of my triumphs, my fears, my desires, and even shed a tear or two with you. You’ve always been there for me. Almost every time, it was as if you doubled yourself and fulfilled every need I had.

…

Double Stuf Mint Oreos…I love you.

Mint Oreo

-Brandon

P.S. - You didn’t think I was talking about a person did you? :)

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Posted April 7th, 2008 in Posts

I remember listening to this on my radio during the summer of 1993. Crazy, eh? I figured it might adequately capture how I feel today.

Enjoy.

-Brandon

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