tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23706158903092712052011-07-29T02:57:49.467-06:00a site for random musings on whatever happens during my day...and occasional document postings...The Mental Cartographerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08790010972199786408noreply@blogger.comBlogger201100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2370615890309271205.post-82512024905237724832010-02-14T11:16:00.008-07:002010-02-14T11:44:16.455-07:00

A Poem for St. Valentine’s Day February 14, 2010 ---------------------------A Historical NoteIn medieval times, the possession of a large number of domesticated animals (e.g. cattle)was considered a sign of prosperity and pride. -----------------------Hark! On the hilltop!So daring, so handsome,Sits your knight, clothed in finest armor, On his white steed (so fine!). With a piercing steel

The Mental Cartographerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08790010972199786408noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2370615890309271205.post-13380414180713417062009-03-06T23:32:00.002-07:002009-03-06T23:33:26.689-07:00

Well, here it is, 1:00 AM in the morning, Eastern time and I have experienced an evening that I wouldn't have pulled out of the proverbial magic hat.It started off at the International Festival sponsored by The Washington Center from 5:30 to around 8:30 or so. There I enjoyed a salad and a variety of cuisine (Russian cream cheese and chocolate, Asian stir fry, etc.) while laughing at the antics

The Mental Cartographerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08790010972199786408noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2370615890309271205.post-77241193386309212412009-01-30T22:17:00.002-07:002009-01-30T22:20:58.211-07:00

(Facebook readers: Please click the link for the full blog post – the "Note" features only displays a small subset of this post)IntroductionOn Thursday, January 15, 2009, I began a historic journey to Washington D.C. to witness President Obama's inauguration. I was excited to go in part due to the events at the journey's destination – how often does the average Montana resident get to attend an

The Mental Cartographerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08790010972199786408noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2370615890309271205.post-64014564874735886012008-11-29T19:18:00.001-07:002008-11-29T19:20:15.707-07:00

Recently a concerned citizen wrote in to the Missoulian expressingdismay that students are allowed to get college credit for such thingsas going to the presidential inauguration (Political Science students)or learning how to play poker. I felt moved to respond and got my ownletter published.Original Letter:http://www.missoulian.com/articles/2008/11/26/letters/fri/fri97.txtMy Response:http://

The Mental Cartographerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08790010972199786408noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2370615890309271205.post-27408005132972134482008-07-22T22:32:00.004-06:002008-07-22T22:51:14.155-06:00

Dear Bicycle Thief,I want to thank you for helping me feel like a complete moron!Last week you slashed my rear tire, stole the red blinking light and two plastic tire levers from my under-the-seat bicycle bag, and left the red felt "tongue" hanging out of the bag to greet me as I walked to my bike, which was at the Urey Lecture Hall. That was humiliating enough as I had been warned by my family

The Mental Cartographerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08790010972199786408noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2370615890309271205.post-87989194839328639602008-02-10T21:02:00.000-07:002008-07-22T22:51:05.261-06:00

I wrote this poem late one night a couple of years ago during my last semester at UM's College of Technology. Ironically enough, it was during the spring time, in mid April. Yet again, then as now, I am in a period of questioning and doubt, whether because it's the season of Lent, or because I'm close to finishing another degree....but I felt the moment was write to show this poem to the

The Mental Cartographerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08790010972199786408noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2370615890309271205.post-66536267602922394912008-01-27T17:29:00.000-07:002008-01-27T17:41:55.563-07:00

Ok....I admit it - I'm nervous about this semester.This is beginning to feel like the final semester (Spring 2006) of my two-year degree that I finished two years ago - when I was taking 19 credits and doing an internship and lab monitor/ta position at the same time.The difference is that in 2006 I wasn't writing a senior thesis proposal and I wasn't exploring new concepts that I was very

The Mental Cartographerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08790010972199786408noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2370615890309271205.post-11467990580688445032007-12-26T22:44:00.000-07:002007-12-26T23:14:58.840-07:00

I had hoped to use the time during my winter break (ideally before Wintersession started) to read, summarize, and research all the literature necessary to putting together a draft senior thesis proposal that I could present to my advisor at the beginning of Spring Semester. Yet here it is, the last week of this so-called break, and I've barely picked up a book that I've checked out from the

The Mental Cartographerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08790010972199786408noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2370615890309271205.post-27349918588159095032007-03-31T00:20:00.000-06:002007-03-31T02:13:25.283-06:00

I just saw L.A. Confidential, a movie about sizzle, celebrity, crime, and the law in Los Angeles during the 1960's. Starring Guy Pierce (Det .Lt. Edmund Jennings 'Ed' Exley), Russell Crowe (Officer Wendell 'Bud' White), and Kevin Spacey (Det. Sgt. Jack Vincennes), in addition to Kim Basinger (Lynn Bracken), the prostitue whom two of the men love, and who guides them to the truth of a massive

The Mental Cartographerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08790010972199786408noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2370615890309271205.post-80684391327522057362007-01-21T16:18:00.000-07:002007-01-21T16:18:48.930-07:00

Journal Entry - 01/11/07 (Food Pantry, Adventures in Denver) HC395 Service Learning Trip Today, the group split into two teams and headed off to two different food pantries - one group to MetroCare Ring and the other to Community Ministries (which I did). Food pantries are different than food banks, because they distribute food directly to "clients" rather than to third-party agencies

The Mental Cartographerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08790010972199786408noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2370615890309271205.post-60330731818617067762007-01-21T16:14:00.000-07:002007-01-21T16:18:48.956-07:00

Journal Entry - 01/10/07 (Headstart, Explore Denver, Movie) HC395 Service Learning Trip Today we visited a nearby school that housed a Headstart program for low-income and working poor families, and explored the 16th street Pedestrian Mall in downtown Denver.The goal of the Headstart program is to inspire and educate children to enable them to transcend their current situation and succeed

The Mental Cartographerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08790010972199786408noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2370615890309271205.post-17946629032108826802007-01-21T16:09:00.000-07:002007-01-21T16:18:48.975-07:00

Journal Entry - 01/09/07 (Food Bank of the Rockies, Speaker) HC395 Service Learning Trip Today, we visited the Food Bank Of The Rockies - a large food warehouse and distribution center in Denver. We also had a guest speaker named Steve who spoke with us about the Denver prison system.The two principles of service-learning that came out of these two events for me were:The amazing things

The Mental Cartographerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08790010972199786408noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2370615890309271205.post-70576443697385320112007-01-21T16:06:00.000-07:002007-01-21T16:18:48.995-07:00

Journal Entry - 01/08/07 (Grant Ave Spaghetti Kitchen and DENUM) HC395 Service Learning Trip Today we made two visits - one to a homeless shelter and service provider called DENUM (Denver Urban Ministries), the other to a spaghetti kitchen at 16th Street and Grant Ave.DENUMThe most meaningful part of the first visit was a board game similar to Parker Bro's "Game of Life". We each were

The Mental Cartographerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08790010972199786408noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2370615890309271205.post-64068513795993234412007-01-21T16:03:00.000-07:002007-01-21T16:18:49.018-07:00

Journal Entry - 01/07/07 (Travel Day #2) HC395 Service Learning Trip Today was intense! I haven't been through Wyoming or Colorado for at least 2-3 years and I had forgotten some key characteristics:They are very flat - (geographically speaking) !They are perpetually windy - we saw 6 semi-trucks turned over in Wyoming due to the wind (Update: We were experiencing unusual 100-mph winds)

The Mental Cartographerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08790010972199786408noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2370615890309271205.post-85850640479957092712007-01-21T16:01:00.000-07:002007-01-21T16:18:49.040-07:00

Journal Entry - 01/06/07 (Travel Day #1) HC395 Service Learning Trip Wow! What a first day of travel we had! Winter travel advisories, blowing snow, and wind (creating whiteout conditions at times), and tight nerves from the recent van training made for a potential emotional breakdown at times. In the face of all that, we were an amazing group - nothing seemed to phase us for long -

The Mental Cartographerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08790010972199786408noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2370615890309271205.post-32473252837868965012007-01-21T15:58:00.000-07:002007-01-21T16:18:49.068-07:00

Journal Entry - 01/05/07 HC395 Service Learning Trip Today we went over logistics of the trip, watched a clip from The Girl In The Cafe, and discussed the readings from Soul of a Citizen. Some of the principles, values, and emotions stirred up by our discussion struck home with me and caused some strong (but respectful) feelings amongst myself and my classmates. The readings (plus

The Mental Cartographerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08790010972199786408noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2370615890309271205.post-19694619945654078132007-01-21T15:54:00.000-07:002007-01-21T16:18:49.113-07:00

Journal Entry - 1/02/2007 HC395 Service Learning Trip Today we visited the Poverello Center in Missoula, MT, and received a tour of the facilities. Along the way we learned about their programs, their values/mission, and heard stories about some of the residents, both successful and not. The most important thing I learned there today, is how much volunteer effort is required to

The Mental Cartographerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08790010972199786408noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2370615890309271205.post-44668406726096801352007-01-21T15:46:00.000-07:002007-01-21T15:49:02.572-07:00

Journal Entry - 1/02/2007 HC395 Service Learning Trip We talked today about what service-learning means, especially in the context of academic "rigor" and how it differs from internships or other such things. One interesting connection I found pertained to Putnam's (or the French Guy's) assertion that "social capital is the glue that binds society together". In the "urban

The Mental Cartographerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08790010972199786408noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2370615890309271205.post-48276902503535656892007-01-21T15:35:00.000-07:002007-01-21T15:43:45.579-07:00

The next series of posts are the journal entries from a service-learning class I took at the University of Montana a few weeks ago. We learned about urban social issues (like poverty, homelessness, etc.) through community service in Denver, CO (second week). The first week, we also learned how community service is a vital component of citizenship, and of a college education. The journal entries

The Mental Cartographerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08790010972199786408noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2370615890309271205.post-59579669313076579332007-01-15T20:48:00.000-07:002007-01-15T20:52:05.142-07:00

Well, this should be an exciting experience. The primary purpose of this blog is to allow me to do somewhat of a daily (or semi-weekly) journal of what happens in a day...and any musing to connections in my life that such events may have. It should also provide a convenient way to post material via Google Docs so I can share it with the world....regardless of its value to others than my ego. :)

The Mental Cartographerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08790010972199786408noreply@blogger.com