Summer Term

So it is now Summer term. Sorry I have not been very active. So busy. Life has been so stressful. Still doing good in school, 3.89 gpa. This term may wreck that. I am convinced SQL is a tool of the devil. Really starting to hate that class.

So frustrated with it. Everything else has been good. Married life has been good too me, and I am happy to announce we have a bun in the oven. Due in February. After this term I have 6 more classes to get through. Two a term, way easier hopefully.

I Got Married

So big news, I met my better half, and we got married. I have never met someone who so perfectly fit me. Instant best friend, and just makes me feel complete. We made our wedding vows with a quote from Neil Gaiman, Dr. Who, and then a Dr. Suess inspired finish.

Wedding Ceremony

May 4, 2016 Brian & Michelle Britton

Lisa: "Have you ever been in love? Horrible, isn't it? It makes you so vulnerable. It opens your chest and it opens up your heart and it means that someone can get inside you and mess you up. You build up all these defenses, you build up a whole suit of armor, so that nothing can hurt you, then one stupid person, no different from any other stupid person, wanders into your stupid life. . . . You give them a piece of you. They didn't ask for it. They did something dumb one day, like kiss you or smile at you, and then your life isn't your own anymore."

Michelle: I promise to be true to you, to uplift & to support you, to frustrate and challenge you, and to share with you the beautiful moments of life. Someday, if the stars align, I might even let you win an argument. Let us do good and be good to each other. "Do you wanna come with me? 'Cause if you do, then I should warn you — you're gonna see all sorts of things. Ghosts from the past. Aliens from the future. It won't be quiet, it won't be safe, and it won't be calm. But I'll tell you what it will be: the trip of a lifetime!"

Brian: From the moment our paths crossed you have surprised me, distracted me, captivated me and challenged me in a way that no human being ever has. I’ve fallen in love with you again and again, countless times, without reservation, and I still can’t believe that today I get to marry my best friend.

Lisa: Then if you'll both have, and if you'll both hold, From now until the stars grow cold, And if you'll love through good and bad, And whether you're happy or sad, And love in sickness, and in health, And when you're poor, and when in wealth, And if you'll love with all your heart, From now until death do you part, And if you'll love each other through and through, Please answer with these words: I DO!

Michelle: I DO!

Brian: I DO!

Lisa: THEY DO! ... YAHOO!

We need to continue with a few more things, So let’s proceed-

May I have the rings?

Groom- place this ring on Bride’s finger
 
And repeat after me: To you my dear, I give this ring, for it is special, not just bling,
wear it proud, as you have vowed, for you are mine, til the end of time. (put ring on brides finger)

Bride- place this ring on Groom’s finger And repeat after me:

To you my love, I give this ring, For it's your sweet love, that makes me sing, And now I give my heart so true, For the rest of my life, to be with you. (put ring on grooms finger)

One last thing before you go, I really want you both to know: I wish you a life full of sunshine, hearts full of cheer, And a love that grows deeper year after year! Now I, by the authority vested in me,
Declare that husband and wife you shall be! You're married now! So kiss the bride, But please, do keep it dignified!

Final Grades-Dean's List

So I survived Fall term, all 15 credits of it. Ended with 3 A's and 1 -A. Made Dean's list for the first time. GPA is 3.89.

Woop woop. Hopefully I can keep this momentum going. 

End of 2015

So I finished 2015 with 3 A's and 1 -A. Made dean's list. Christmas break went smoothly, had a nice little vacation with my boys to Seaside. other then that it was nice and relaxing. The new term has started and if to a good start. Microsoft Access is being a bit of a bugger but other then that it is going well.

Mid Term

So mid term, things are going o.k. I am keeping my head above water so far. I think I will squeak by, but I have defiantly learned my lesson. No more 15 credit terms, unless I can afford to cut back my hours at work. I got a job working as a lab monitor for 2 or so hours a week. Should give me some time to study with out my family interrupting me every few minutes. Start that next week I believe.

What was I thinking???

So fall term started with a whimper. 15 credits was way to much to under take. I feel like I am drowning. I am trying to muttle threw it with passing grades, But I think my GPA is really going to take a severe hit. I knew I should have stopped at 12 credits. Common sense ain't to common I guess.

Fall Term

So fall term just started. I am working full time, and trying to take 15 credits. 2 classes are tied together, so it's basically like one big course. It's a pretty cool class so far, we work in teams of two in the brand new networking lab. We have multiple computers and our own network we get to play with. We have a professional server room that we can go into and work on. I am really looking forward to this class. My health class is my first ever online class. I am kind of on the fence so far. I like a class room, and this seems like I could easily get lost and fall behind. But it is the future, and I need to get used to it. I have three or four more in the next two terms.

Political Season

As the political season slowly heats up I am reminded of something I have believed and tried to practice my entire adult life. I vote not for the person who promises to do the most good, but for the candidate that I truly believe will cause the least harm. The damage a politician causes will haunt us much longer then any good deeds they achieve. I also strongly believe in voting for a candidate not a political party. Political parties are like organized religions, they hide behind there lies of helping the greater good                                (THE GREATER GOOD) 

but truly only care about promoting their own agenda and personal interests. But when in doubt, vote for the person with the weirdest name. At the very least you will be entertained by the puppets on the news broadcasts butchering their names when they do something wrong, which we all know is just simple a matter of time before they do. I know somewhere out there is a person with the name of  Llanfair­pwllgwyngyll­gogery­chwyrn­drobwll­llan­tysilio­gogo­goch (a city in Whales). If there is a god, that person will get an elected office, and do something so stupid that they make news around the world, and we all will get to watch the talking heads butcher there name 24 hours a day 7 days a week for weeks as the scandal unfolds. Then my life will truly be complete.

Apocabox, August 2015

Pretty cool box this month. Creek did it again. Not sure how he keeps finding such cool new stuff for us, but he continues to impress me. So lets get into this box.

So first up was the Ishwash Personal Eyewash: $12.99. Screw it onto any ordinary water bottle and you have a personal eyewash station. For anyone that has ever gotten something into there eye, you know exactly how important this is to have in your first aid kit. 

Next was the Ursa major Face wipes: $3. I will be the first to admit that when I opened the box I thought these were rubbers. I was like damn Creek what kinda camping trip you planning on? But come to find out these are "super natural" skin care wipes. Have not tried them yet but I am sure there great. Always found wet wipes super handy. In the Army we all kept a small pack of them in our kits just makes you feel a little more human washing up once in a while. 

I heart Knives patch: $5, umm I am not a patch guy, so I will just move on,,,,

Next is the Day zero bow makers guide: $12. If you read this and can not make a bow drill afterwards, please start stalking up on bic's or something cause if this book can't help you noising will.

Next we have the Para cord pack Leash: $3. Nice chunk of para cord with clips on each end to leash something that you need quick access to, on the outside of your pack, and of course it's a nice chunk of spare cordage. 

Another knife, THANK YOU CREEK!!! always need more knives :) This is the John Russell Sheath Knife: $17.99. Really nice knife, but in need of a sheath. Which just so happens to be a part of this month's challenge. More to follow on that. This knife is made by one of the oldest knife makers in the U.S. It has a classic old school design, and the handle feels so good in your hand. Very cool addition to your knife collection.

End of days survival card: $24.95. This is amazing. Small card, fits easily into your wallet. Has hooks, arrowhead, awl, saw, sewing needles, snare locks trident, tweezers, and small game arrowhead. All in this little card. It's crazy and awesome all at the same time. 

Well I thought I had seen it all when Creek got us fire para cord a few boxes ago. But now he gives us glow in the dark para cord. For anyone that has gotten up before first light to take a leak and tripped over the para cord holding up your shelter, or clothe lined themselves will appreciate and wonder why it took so long to invent this. Glow in the dark pare cord: $9.99. Made by Uber Glow, it's 50 feet of 7 strand core, para cord. Plus it is rot and mildew resistant. Not sure how I want to incorporate this into my kits, but it is a great item to have. It really glows nicely, and it doesn't seem to loose it's glow.

Nest is the Speedy stitcher sewing awl: $14.99. So for those of you not old school, you probably have not seen one of these. I have been trying to find one for a while. This is how people for generations have made and repaired gear. It's a hard core sewing kit basically. The needle stores inside, you unscrew the cap take out the needles and put the thread through the needle tip then go to work.

The monthly challenge-Make a improvised knife sheath. The Awl above is quite handy in doing this challenge. Creek put a video showing how to make 4 different types of sheath all made for the John Russell knife. Haven't had time to make one yet, but maybe this month thence I don't have any school.

Christopher Moore Book Signing!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

So for my birthday we went to Portland ( a 3 hour drive) to go to the Christopher Moore book signing at Powell Books in Beaverton. It was amazing. He is super funny, and very nice. The place was packed. We got there 2 hours early and I am so glad we did, we would not have gotten seats if we had been a half hour later. Plus you have to get a ticket for the signing and the later you get there the higher your ticket number, the longer your wait. It started at 7pm, he talked and answered questions for about an hour then the signing started. We got through around 9:20 or so. Had diner and Firehouse Subs, my new favorite place in the whole world, and then spent over three more hours driving home. Greatest Birthday ever!!!

 Christopher Moore trying to get the mic stand to stay up, yes he had to talk dirty to it!

 After giving up on the mic stand,,,,

 Waiting for our number to be called. He would sign up to 5 books, and personalise up to two per ticket.

 In line, one person ahead of me,,,,

 Had him sign his new book Second hand souls, and he personalized my collector, leather bound, copy of Lamb, after saying it was one of the cheap crappy first editions that felt like a real bible.

It says "To Brian, Braise the Lord! (350* for 3 Hrs.)"

Such a nice guy and super funny, just so happy to finally get to meet him, and have him be as awesome a person as I had imagined. 

Summer Term

So Summer term came to an end for me today. Looks like I finished with straight A's!!!!! I finished CIS 120 with a 105%, and WR 121 in an A not sure the % yet. Either way, now I have a month off, then back at it in the fall. Going to try 15 credits this fall. I am guessing the first week I will drop down to 12, but I am going to try. 

Oh Yeah, Super Nerd!!

School

So Summer term is quickly winding down. A few more weeks and I get a month off of school. I am all registered for fall term. I am taking 15 credits, hope I survive. I changed my major, I was doing a one year certificate for Auto Cad, now I am doing a associate of applied science. Going to mostly focus on networking, but take a few auto card classes for work. They count as electives for my major. so it's a win, win. I get what I need for my short term work goals, and get ready for my more long term goals. I applied for a scholarship through the school and was just notified that I got it. That will really help financially. It's going to be a tough few years, but I really feel the work will be worth it. 

Finally getting to the last Apoxabox, right before the new one shows up

First we have Purinize, $15.95. This is a Water purifier. A couple drops in your water and your good to go. 

Crick-ettes, $3.00. O.K. so it's a box of crickets, salt'n vinegar flavored. My whole family tried these. There not bad, but there not going to become a regular part of my diet. 

Berry Finder $6.00. Cool book for expanding your plant knowledge. Knowledge is power!! Mostly covers the East coast, but is still a nice book to have on hand. 

Creek's "rewild" Bandana, $6.00. You never have enough of these. Made in the U.S. out of 100% cotton.

Speedy Sharp, $11. This is a super cool item. Sharpen a blade in a few seconds. Small and super handy. I am loving this item. 

Custom Arkansas Stone, $8. Really nice natural sharpener. Comes in a nice little case. The edges have a groove cut into them so you can tie the stone down for safer sharpening. 

 Keep Calm and Survive patch, $5. Another patch,,,,,,yeah. Not a big patch fan, but anywho,,,,,

Wallet Ninja, $10. You have more then likely seen these on TV and in stores. There pretty handy. 18 tool in a item the size of a credit card.

Instant bowstring + Kit $12. This is pretty amazing item. I would recommend everyone have one of these in every kit you have. It's bow string, it comes with needles for sowing up torn gear. Make traps, fish, everything you can use for cordage in one tiny container. And best of all, 700 lb tensile strength!!!

Scandinavian Kuksa, $32. This is very cool. Handmade!! This if taken care of can last a life time. It's an amazing cup.

And finally the challenge, to start a fire with a plastic water bottle and a little water in it. Haven't tried yet, but I am guessing it will be a challenge, and a good skill to perfect.

Cool but Scary web site

One of my teachers showed us this site. It shows the cyber attacks currently going on around the world. It's pretty cool to watch.

Apocabox,,,,,,,

Sorry I haven't posted about the most recent Apoxabox, been busy. The knife was part of a treasure hunt. Sadly you had to live in the right part of the country to play, and sadly I am a very far away. This month's box was good, Not my favorite box, but there always good. I will post what was in it soon.

Summer term

So Summer term has officially started. A rough start, but slowly improving. 

My courses this term are WR 121, and CIS 120. CIS 120 is a cool class. Learning a lot about computers and the teacher is great. WR 121 is tough, but I think I am going to get through it. The teacher is cool, but I am having to learn to write from a complete different mind set. I am used to getting on my soap box and preaching, not presenting a focused argument. I am right, your wrong and this is why doesn't seem to cut it in this class. Shame really lol :)

Vacation

Enjoying a long over due vacation. Have gotten a few things around the house done. Been trying to relax, before summer term starts. One class looks really easy, but you never know. The grades for spring will be officially posted tomorrow. Got an A in speech and a B in Math. Such a tough math class. If it wasn't for the teacher I don't know how well I would have done.

Good Bye Finals!!

So Finals have come and gone. Math I finished with a very strong B, and Interpersonal communications I ended with a perfect 100 out of 100, An A baby!! Now I have a week off and then summer term starts. Writing 121 and Intro to computers. I am all registered for fall and can't wait till it starts. I wanna get into my core classes. I know these other classes have merit, but I just want to get to the meat of the degree. So let the countdown to September begin.

Apocabox teaser!!

So Creek put out a picture, labeled June Apocabox teaser,, All I can say is, if I open my Apocabox on the 15th and see this looking at me I will probable scream like a little girl, jump up and down, shed a few tears of joy, then start work on my alter to Creek Stewart. 

So it appears that only one lucky person is getting  knife. My apocabox should arrive tomorrow. I am not holding my breath. I think someone already got it :(

School, oh what a week

So one week till finals. I had my 2nd of the big three math tests. I got a 91% so it looks like I don't have to take the third test. Yeah me. I got my last project for that class done, will turn it in tomorrow. I have a paper to write up for speech but it should be easy. I completed my SCTE final test last night, and then this morning I did the certification test. So much stress off of my shoulders. Soon a week off then summer term starts up. Writing 121, and a intro to computers that is required for my degree. The computer one I have heard is pretty easy as long as you stay up with the class work. The writing I hope will be easy, but am expecting it to be brutal. I am all ready registered for fall. The courses I need are only offered in fall, so if I had missed it I would be out of luck for an entire year. Which then means I can't take the winter or spring classes. So it may be a little premature, but one term down, four to go.