HERE ARE SOME THINGS THAT GIVE ME HAPPY THOUGHTS:
ASTRONOMY
This is the big reason I came to Wyoming.
It is my dream to become an astronomer, and hopefully someday teach
as a professor. I became interested in astronomy when I was in high
school, and started reading books and teaching myself as much as I could.
I bought a large telescope (bigger than I was ready for at the time!)
that sparked my interest even more. I went to the University of Wisconsin Stevens
Point and studied physics and astronomy. I worked in the planetarium
there for five years helped run the observatory for four. I tried
to emphasize public outreach while I was at Point, and even got to start
a radio show called "Starstruck" with my friend Ryan Allshouse.
After my 4th year at Stevens Point, I got into a summer internship
program at Montana State University
in solar physics. I
got to work with Dr.
Charles Kankelborg (a great advisor, and all-around good guy) on
preparatory work
for the upcoming MOSES mission, which is a satellite that will study the
sun in the unltraviolet. While there, I fell equally in love with
the people (especially my fellow summer
students) and the place itself. It had a huge part to do with
me finding my way back out west for graduate school at the University of Wyoming.
A beautiful Hubble image of the "Ant Nebula."
Planetary nebulae, as objects like this are called, are actually dying
stars roughly the mass of our sun. They blow off their outer layers
of gas in a dynamic, expanding shell. NASA and The Hubble
Heritage Team (STScI/AURA).
THE OUTDOORS
I did not come
to Wyoming just to study astronomy. Experiencing the exciting landscapes
of Wyoming will be a major focus of mine throughout my time as a graduate
student. Laramie is sitting on a very flat plain at about 7,200
feet. But easy access to mountains makes this a great place for
me. The Laramie Range is just East of town, and the Snowy Mountains a mere 45 minute drive from town
(you better click on that Snowy Mountains link).
I enjoy all the hiking and camping opportunities around here, but
what really gets me charged is a good day of trout fishing. I don't
like to go too many days without doing some trout fishing. I am
currently trying to improve my ability as a fly-fisherman, but have spent
a great deal of time catching trout with my trusty spin-casting rod. I
have eaten more than my fair share of trout since I've been here. If
you ever stop by Laramie, I'll be happy to cook you up some fresh brook
trout. For me, brookies are the prettiest, tastiest, and most revered
of all trout. Compared to other trout and salmonids, brookies can
only be found in the coldest, most exceptionally clean water. This
means that those who chase brook trout will usually be fishing in pristine
wilderness.
Brook trout--poetry with fins.
MUSIC
Music
has always been a driving force in my life. It keeps me sane, and
propels me through both the greatest and toughest days. I fell
in love with music thanks to two incredible bands, U2 and Pearl Jam. Back in 7th grade,
a good friend of mine gave me a U2 album, The Unforgettable Fire. That
was it. I was hooked. Pearl Jam's first album, Ten, came out
that year, too. These two bands have changed my life. The
tone of The Edge's guitar, and the quality and passion of Eddie Vedder's
voice--these are about the best two sounds I know. Some of the other
bands that have really hooked into me over the years are The Who, Blind
Melon, The Byrds, The Police, The Stone Roses, Simon & Garfunkel, The
Kinks, R.E.M., and Radiohead.
I essentially started an obsession with the drums when I got interested
in The Who. Keith Moon, playing
with unbridled energy, refused to be relegated to the background of the
music. No drummer had ever defined the sound of a band the way Keith
did. Because of him, I started really paying attention to drums. Inspired
by my little brother Brad's drumming pursuits, I have picked up the drums
within the last year. I practice often, but I have a heck of a lot
to learn. It is a dream of mine to become good enough to someday
start a band.
Left: Keith Moon
punishing the drums. Right: Pearl Jam--the only band cool enough to
put a planetary nebula on an album cover.
SPORTS
I like to play a good variety of sports when
I get time, including basketball, football, ultimate frisbee, and racquetball.
I'll play pretty much anything that others are playing. Currently,
my friend Aleks enjoys relentlessly beating the crap out of me at racquetball.
But I'm learning. I also really enjoy jogging, lifting weights,
and biking, too.
As far as watching sports, I just have one thing to say. Brett Favre. Number
4. End of story. I'm a Wisconsin boy. So you must understand
that in the land of cheese, beer, and mosquitos, Brett Favre is nothing
short of a deity. I was a die hard supporter ever since that guy
stepped in for Don Majkowski in 1992. No one plays with their heart
on their sleeve as much as Favre. The passion he plays with is a constant
source of inspiration for me. I've seen him play in person over 30
times. With my own eyes, I've witnessed the man throw 5 touchdowns
and singlehandedly beat the Bears on essentially a broken ankle, cough
up blood after a sack and return to throw a touchdown on the very next
play, level a 260 lb. linebacker to spring his wide receiver for a touchdown,
and celebrate dozens of touchdowns like an inspired little kid. The
man is a lesson in humanity--when he humbled himself and admitted to the
world his addiction to painkillers, making the choice to seek help for his
problem, I became a fan not only of Brett Favre the football player, but
Brett Favre the human being.
Brett Favre, directing traffic, loading the
arm cannon, and ready to launch a 100 mph rocket to one of his wideouts
(who better catch the freakin' ball).
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