Post Scriptum

Manual Dexterity

2008-09-14T08:35:00.000-07:00

So in my Psychological Testing class we did this really great test for Manual Dexterity. It is simple test that you do with your mouse that tells you how dextrous you are. Pretty cool! Check it out here. Make sure the sound is up and let me know how you did!!

Lou Holtz Pep Talk

2008-08-27T19:43:00.000-07:00

I wanted to post some stuff to commemorate the beginning of the college football season. Here are some classic videos of pep talks courtesy of Lou Holtz. This ought to get you fired up for college football, or well, anything. Enjoy!

The Summer of Andy

2008-08-08T06:31:00.000-07:00

Well, I'm back. I took the MCAT yesterday and it was crazy. I am glad that it is over because now I finally get a summer vacation (for three weeks)! I just wanted to say a quick thank you to everyone who has been so kind to me during the whole MCAT studying process, and especially all of the kindness on or around test day. Thanks for all of your prayers, text messages, phone calls, emails, priesthood blessings, blog comments, "good luck"s, etc, etc, etc. I really appreciate it and I feel like I have the best family and friends a guy could ask for.

I also have the best wife in the world, who has been so patient with me and so willing to sacrifice her weeknights and weekends so that I could study for this test. I am glad its over now (not because I didn't actually enjoy studying [which I definitely did]) because now I finally get to let my hair down and enjoy my time with her. Thank you Suzy, for everything.

Now, I am looking forward to NOT studying at all for three whole weeks. I haven't had a summer vacation yet, so I am going to party hard. Its been about 18 hours since I finished the MCAT, and we've already gone to Chick-fil-A, I've watched National Treasure, Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, Preseason NFL Football, and started reading Angels and Demons. I am not only going to veg out and watch movies, but it has been nice to finally relax.

So, in honor of George Costanza...."I proclaim this the Summer of ANDY!" (well, what's left of it anyway)

Pretty Sweet

2008-06-24T21:35:00.000-07:00

Check this video out...it is the Seinfeld theme on the bass. This guy rocks. I've always wanted to learn this...

Something You May Not Know...

2008-06-07T18:58:00.000-07:00

Hey!! I have a few BIG things going on in my life right now, and I just wanted to BLOG about them because they are like all I am thinking about lately. It could also be that you didn't already know this about me, so I figured it might be fun to share.

The first thing is that I have been asked to write a chapter in a book that will be on methods in microbiological and medical research. I was asked to do it a couple of months ago, and have been working like crazy on it. It is a pretty big task, but I am moving along quite well now. The professor that I do research with at BYU is known across the country for his expertise (among other things) in the field of antioxidant microbiology. I have become quite proficient in the assays that we run in the lab and about antioxidant microbiology/biochemistry in general, so he asked me to write this chapter for a book that he was invited to participate in. Anyway, it is pretty challenging, but good. I am learning about how much I really don't know through all of this! The most exciting thing about this, though, is because it is a publication in such an important book (as it will be a reference guide for microbiologists/biochemists/medical researchers), it is really going to help me come time to apply for medical school. I am also excited because it means that it will be cited by other people as they write papers and do research. Can you imagine, they will say "According to Garrett (2008)....." CRAZY!! Anyway, I am supposed to have the chapter done by the end of July, and the book will be coming out at the latest by early next year.

The second thing is that I have begun to study for the MCAT (medical college aptitude test), which is one of my major admissions factors for medical school. The test is on college level general and applied physics, general chemistry, organic chemistry, biology, and verbal reasoning. It is crazy hard, and what makes it worse is that it is like a five hour test, but you have like one minute per problem and you can't use a calculator. It is going to be nuts. Starting at the end of my spring term, I am going to be studying for it around the clock, so I might not see anyone for a while. But I'll still be alive, just in my "nerdery" (which is pretty much like my fortress of solitude, or Bat-cave, if you will) studying 'round the clock. I take the test on August 7th.

Anyway, just as proof of my nerdiness, it is saturday night at 8:00, and I have been working on this chapter and will be working on it the rest of the night. I also worked all night friday night (woo hoo!!). Anyway, I'd better get back to what I was doing. Hope to see you all soon!!

MVP

2008-06-05T06:18:00.000-07:00

I just wanted to brag a little about my 'little' brother Mark. He had a great year in baseball this year, helping his team win the Region and do awesome in the state playoffs. Mark played in three different all-star games (and one other was cancelled) after the season ended, and even had a home run and a double in one of those All-Star games, earning himself the MVP of the game and a sweet trophy. He was also on the Deseret News 4A First Team of All-Stars just recently. He had a .430 batting average (which is incredible), 35 RBI's, and a ton of home runs on the season (the bottom picture is one of those homers against Orem High). Way to go Mark!! We love you!!

Home Alone

2008-05-10T10:55:00.000-07:00

Now that Suzana is home, a lot of people have been wondering about what I did while she was gone. Well...I think this about covers it. Enjoy!

Photo and video editing at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Jessandra Wedding

2008-04-27T20:48:00.001-07:00

We went to Jesse and Leandra's wedding on saturday in Salt Lake, and it was awesome. Here are just a few of the pics. If you want a high quality copy of any of these, just leave a comment or email me, and I'll e-mail you one.

NBA Draft

2008-04-26T08:07:00.000-07:00

I think that next wednesday is the last day for college basketball players to declare themselves eligible for the NBA Draft. So, "I declare myself eligible!!!"

I'm not really planning on the NBA, but if you're the GM of an NBA team, and you make me a good offer, I just might acquiesce.

I'll be posting again for real very soon.

Hilarious!!

2008-04-25T16:51:00.000-07:00

You've got to check out the Suzandy Blog--there is a hilarious video on it. You can't miss it! Click here. I'll be posting again very soon.

The Truth About Truth Claims

2008-04-11T14:46:00.001-07:00

There are those in the world today (and there have always been these people) who claim that there is no such thing as absolute truth. 'What is right for you is right for you, and what is right for me is right for me--all truth is relative', they say. While this claim is self refuting (i.e., if their claim is true, and all truth is relative, then what they just said is only relative, and hence irrelevant and meaningless), it is also untrue. There must be absolute truth. Allow me to explain.
Let us suppose that I come home and find an orange sitting on my kitchen table. This orange was not there when I left, and I really don't know who's it is or how it got there. Lets suppose that I am so concerned about his orange that I call you over to my house to help me investigate this orange, and how it got there. You're happy to come over, and we end up spending the afternoon rubbing our chins, scratching our heads, and pontificating about the origin and destiny of this unexplainable orange on my kitchen table.
Then let's say that you come up with a theory about the orange--that it was placed there by a neighbor of mine who brought it over to our house as a gift. But I'll have nothing of it, and propose a theory of my own: That somehow the orange was brought to us by heaven's divine design, and that the orange should never be eaten, but should be put under a glass case so that people can file by and admire it.
After discussing our theories and failing to come to an agreement about the truth of the orange, you and I decide to invite others over to look at the orange and vote between our theories. Your theory is the overwhelming winner of votes, as the people that we invited considered it the more 'rational' of the two theories. We even perform careful scientific analyses on the orange, and all of the evidence seems to support your neighbor theory. Someone who comes over even reports to have seen someone carrying an orange outside, and walking into my house with it. All of the evidence points to your theory. Finally I acquiesce, and admit that I believed your theory was right all along. We have a good laugh about it, and finally you head back home.
Then Suzana comes home, and I explain to her all about the orange, and where it came from. Then she tells me that she brought the orange home from school--that it was given to her by one of her teachers, and she placed it on our kitchen table between classes.

I immediately call you and tell you about what Suzana told me, and you believe that what Suzana said was true. We then call everyone who helped to decide on the truthfulness of your theory, to let them know what really happened. None of them believe us though, and continue to believe that one of my neighbors brought us the orange.

This story, while admittedly a little corny, can help us learn about truth, and the necessity of absolute truth. Although you and I came together and did our best to find out what the truth of what happened was, we were flawed in our methods because we couldn't know the truth until Suzana came home and told us. The orange didn't come from one of my neighbors, it didn't come from the sky, it came from Suzana. And no matter how much hypothesizing we could ever do, no matter how much evidence points to the contrary, the truth of the matter is that the orange was placed there by Suzana. And although everyone in the world may believe otherwise, that is not what happened--it is not the truth. The truth is that Suzana placed it there.

This idea is especially relevant in relating morality to ethics because so many people claim that their own beliefs are what govern them, and that their concept of 'true' is independent of whatever truth may be, so they can do what they want. This form of retreating back to egoism is dangerous, and is at the heart of some political platforms.

My point is this: Truth of necessity must be absolute. There cannot be "what's true for me and what's true for you." There can only be one truth of the matter.

This idea will be especially important for my next post about evolution and its implications.

A Thought About Thinking

2008-03-26T11:53:00.001-07:00

Not long ago I was at my sister-in-law Stacia's house, and we were talking about a few different things that have been going on lately in the family, world, etc, etc. She said something very interesting that I have been thinking about ever since. She said: "Isn't it funny that we never speak up about anything unless we're against it? No one really ever speaks up about an issue unless they have a problem with it, and its kind of sad that rarely do we hear what people think--we only hear about what they don't think."
I have been thinking a lot about that lately, and I think she's right. At least from my own part, I rarely let people know about how I feel about things--regardless of whether I agree or disagree. So I am going to use this as a means to periodically say what I think about certain issues, and just share my opinion--even if no one acually reads it anyway :-)
Its just like Eddie Vedder once said: "If you donn't stand for something, you'll fall for everything." I'm not the most articulate person in the world, but I hope some of my thoughts may be enough to at least get us to think a little bit more about some things.

Happy St. Patrick's Day

2008-03-17T19:44:00.000-07:00

Hey everybody. I wanted to post something for Saint Patrick's Day--so here is a great movie from Who's Line is it Anyway. I love the song and think it's great. I hope you like it too. Just don't pay too much attention to the part after the commercial break is all. Enjoy!!

Captain James T. Kirk

2008-03-04T20:53:00.000-08:00

As you all may know, I am NOT a "trekkie" (a Star Trek fan), but I saw this poster on the outside of a physics professor's door at BYU, and I think it is hilarious. I hope one day I'll also have a sound of being awesome.

Soldier Hollow

2008-03-03T20:44:00.000-08:00

Two weeks ago Suzana and I were able to go tubing at Soldier Hollow with my work. It was really fun to be with everyone, and for those who have never been before, we had a really fun time tubing down the HUGE tubing hills they have there. If anybody remembers, Soldier Hollow is where they had the cross country skiing and biathlon events. Well, they still do cross country skiing there, but they've converted a section of it into a huge tubing area. You get to ride a little tow rope on the way up, so you don't have to climb up the hill, and then there are HUGE tubing lanes to go down. (I have video of Suzana and I going down together, but I can't upload it to YouTube and I don't know why. Has anybody done it that might know?? It is about 50MB, is that too large??) Anyway, here are a few pics in the meantime until I get this video thing figured out. Enjoy!!

My Valentine

2008-02-13T15:21:00.000-08:00

I just wanted to make a special Valentine's Day post about my Valentine Suzana. Suzana and I have now known each other for over 5 years now--ever since my senior year of high school--and we have been best friends ever since. I fell in love with her quickly, but my love for her has only grown as these years have gone by. I can't even begin to express how deeply she's changed me for the better, and I truly couldn't imagine what my life would be without her. She is always so patient with me (even when I do dumb things), and she constantly is inspiring me to be better--even though she doesn't realize it. I could't imagine anything better, and I feel so lucky to have her. She truly is the girl of my dreams.
I am especially grateful that she took a terrible chance on me by marrying me. But she has made me the happiest fella in the world. :-) I hope that I can make every day a dream come true for her, like it is for me.
So, Suzana-banana, I just wanted to write this little post to tell you that I love you, that you are everything to me, and that you are everything that I could ever hope for. Thanks for being the best wife in the world. I love you very much, and Happy Valentine's Day!!

Macbook Air's Thin Obsession

2008-01-26T22:18:00.000-08:00

I'm back!! It's been forever since I have updated my blog. I hope that people still check it. As many of you know, Apple recently came out with the new Macbook Air laptop--the ultra thin, ultra chic next generation notebook. This video is a hilarious parody on what other laptops must feel when they see this new, thinner Macbook. Enjoy!!

BYU and the BCS

2007-11-28T13:31:00.000-08:00

Since its beginnings, the BCS (Bowl Championship Series) has sparked controversy in the College Football world. Being a BYU fan, I go through a love/hate relationship with the BCS.
It is however, not impossible for BYU or any other non-BCS Conference team to break into the BCS in any given year. Utah and more recently Boise State and Hawaii have proven this.
I was looking at the BCS website today, and I looked at BYU's chances of still making it to a BCS Bowl game this year. Though improbable, its still possible... Here you go:
One of the following contions must be must for BYU to get an automatic BCS Bowl game bid:
1. Hawaii must lose and BYU must be ranked in the top 12.
2. USC, ASU, and Oregon must lose and BYU must be ranked in the top 16 (and be ranked higher than each of those three teams).
3. West Virginia loses and somehow ends up being ranked lower than BYU,who must be ranked in the top 16.
Like I said, at this point in the season, it may not be extremely probable, but stranger things have happened, right? (Appalachian State 34, Michigan 32).

Geek of the Week

2007-10-28T09:13:00.000-07:00

I think that when greatness comes along, we need to do our best to embrace it. ...But until it does come along, we'll talk about this guy instead. John Allwood, a 29 year old Australian, recently head butted his way into the record books by (get this) smashing 40 watermelons with his head in less than one minute! He did it at the Chinchilla Melon Festival in Queensland Australia. Other games at the festival included Watermelon Skiing, Melon Bungy, Melon Bullseye, Melon Feasting, and you guessed it, Splitting Watermelons. The "Splitting Watermelons" portion of the festival was the crowd pleaser though, and they even brought in Chris Sheedy from Guiness World Records to adjudicate Mr. Allwood's cranial feat. Hey, everybody's got their own talents, right?

We've Been Simpsonized!!

2007-10-14T10:18:00.000-07:00

Hey Everyone--Suzana and I found a link to this great website where you can upload pictures of yourself to be "Simpsonized"--or made to look like you've been drawn right into the Simpsons. Hope you enjoy our cartoon selves. If you'd like to try it yourself, click here and then send me an email with your picture so I can see them too!

Fantastic Finales

2007-10-02T12:41:00.000-07:00

Stunning. Colorado and Auburn pulled off two great upsets this weekend, taking down #3 Oklahoma and #4 Florida. And best of all, they were both won by last second field goals.
You've got to hand it to both of these teams, and in my opinion, you've especially got to hand it to Auburn. The Tigers went in to the Swamp after having been the only team to beat the BCS Champs last year. I'm sure the Gators had been waiting all year for another shot at Auburn, even licking there chops for this game. But this time it wasn't to be. The Tigers jumped out to an early lead, and hung on until the end. Kudos to the Tigers.
No, I haven't forgotten about Colorado. This is the second time this year that kicker Kevin Eberhart has won a game for the Buffs in the waning seconds of the game--the first time was against arch-rivals Colorado State in week one. Like that first game, the last second field goal was in front of their home crowd. The Colorado faithful never lost hope in this game, and it turned out to be a great finish.

Studs and Duds

2007-09-28T20:27:00.000-07:00

Ok, as many of you know, I am an avid College Football fan. I really enjoy the games, the drama, etc, etc. I would like to periodically post my opinions about the 'Studs and Duds' throughout the year--the teams that are shining and the teams that are...well, duds. So, without further ado...

Michigan State

2007-09-28T16:59:00.000-07:00

Michigan State: Studs
Due to the recent successes of other Big 10 teams like Penn State and Wisconsin, along with the suprising upsets in Ann Arbor, it seems that the Spartans have been all but forgotten about. But now here we are, four weeks into the season, and the Spartans are 4-0. True, Michigan State has yet to play a conference game, but you've got to hand it to them for coming this far. After blowouts against UAB and Bowling Green, the Spartans proved they have the heart that they need to compete by winning a tight one against Pitt and then on the road at Notre Dame.
Michigan State's offense has got the approach it needs to stay competitive in the Big 10, with a great combintation of running and passing the ball. Backed by an excellent, very fast defense, the Spartans will come to compete in the Big 10.
And that's just where we are now: the beginning. The Spartans have made the very most of their non-conference opportunities, and now are beginning their Big 10 games. This is their chance to turn some heads in a very good conference, and this weekend against Wisconsin, they will have their chance to showcase their great talent. Can they compete for the Big 10 crown this year?

Utah Utes

2007-09-28T15:42:00.001-07:00

University of Utah: Duds

I don't think anyone in the universe has a clue about what is going on with the Utes this season. If there was ever a team more unpredictable than the University of Utah I would like to see them. So far, they are on the bottom of the Mountain West Conference, losing a heartbreaker to Air Force at home, and later being humiliated by UNLV at Sam Boyd Stadium. Above all the rest, and out of nowhere, the Utes pull of an incredible spanking of the then #11 ranked UCLA Bruins at home. ?? Is anybody else seeing any inconsistencies??

I'm not trying to take anything away from the Utes as a team. Why not? They have talent. They have plenty of talent. Even after losing their star QB and RB in the first game, the second-stringers proved they could play with the big boys when they whomped UCLA. So where is the problem? The problem is at the top. Kyle Whittingham. He's was one heck of a defensive coordinator, but for some reason he just can't consistently rally the troops enough to win games (almost reminiscent of an infamous offensive coordinator-turned-head-coach from BYU).

It's sad to say it, but the Utes' schedule isn't getting any easier: After Utah State the Utes will go to play at Louisville before coming back for the heart of their MWC games.

The way I see it, the Utes are at a crossroads. They've shown that the have the talent to be competitive, but the question is: Will someone lead them to their potential?

Boston College

2007-09-28T15:13:00.000-07:00

Boston College: Studs

The glory days of the ACC might be re-emerging, but this time it's the Golden Eagles on top of the conference. You can't say enough about BC this year, from the Matt Ryan at quarterback to their two stars at tailback Andre Callender and L.V. Whitworth, to Brandon Robinson and Kevin Challenger catching the passes--these guys have it all. After convincing wins to open the season against Wake Forest and NC State, BC really showed their stuff taking down a very impressive then-#15 ranked-Georgia Tech squad with a convincing 24-10 victory. Don't think that they show any signs of stopping either--this team could be 7-0 by the time they'll play at Virginia Tech come the end of October! And that's what I am predicting: That BC goes 11-1 this season and finishes in the top 10.

Notre Dame

2007-09-28T14:29:00.000-07:00

Notre Dame: Duds

Notre Dame has never started a season 0-4. Ever. Never ever. You kind of have to feel bad for the Domers and their surprisingly tough season. Their young quarterback, Jimmy Clausen, has still yet to complete a touchdown pass this season, and has only passed for 305 yards thus far. Ouch... Their defense isn't doing too well either, allowing an average of 33.25 points per game, the Irish defense has already given up 133 points this year after 4 games.

The Irish do have an opporunity for their first win this weekend at Purdue, but after UCLA they'll have BC and USC come to town... Watch out. Hey, there's always next year, right?

Oregon

2007-09-28T14:10:00.000-07:00

Oregon: Studs

Who says that the Pac-10 can only produce two powerhouse teams per season? The Oregon Ducks have had a great year so far, and I'd have to say that I think it has everything to do with their explosive offense. Any time you're averaging almost 550 offensive yards a game, you're bound to do well, but let us not forget that Oregon hasn't been playing your regular cupcake teams. Their offense is running on all cylinders right now, and don't expect it to stop. Oregon has had some tough games, but watch out for them this weekend as they go to California to play the Golden Bears. This one will be closer than many think. And one more thing: In college football, it's all about making a statement and separating yourself from the rest. Oregon's complete waxing of Michigan in Ann Arbor was just the sort of statement they needed this year.

Welcome to my BLOG

2007-09-26T15:07:00.000-07:00

Hello everyone!! I have been really wanting to make a BLOG and start doing some posts. I hope everybody that reads it enjoys it. Not really sure what to write about for my 'initial message', so I'll be back later in the form of another post. See you soon. ARG.