UPAC Meeting

This morning I went to a meeting in the Senate Building at the Capitol. It was a meeting for the Utah Prevention Advisory Council (UPAC). There were people from all different types of groups around Utah who were working with substance abuse prevention in some way. It was really interesting to hear different things that are going on around the state.

Some highlights of the meeting include -

- sitting next to John Swallow* (and sharing my 'curiously strong' cinnamon altoids with him). Swallow is the newly appointed Chief Deputy Attorney General of Utah
- talking with George Starks after the meeting, whose brother died from alcohol poisoning while being hazed into a USU fraternity (as a result he's become very active in trying to get legislation passed in regard to hazing laws, etc)

- being introduced to this website - giving a picture of substance abuse problems throughout Utah
- seeing different house and senate bills that are related to substance abuse that have recently been passed
- hearing about different trainings and events happening locally

I really enjoyed the meeting. I filled in for my supervisor who was closing on a house today, but I hope I get to go to the next meeting too.

*I just learned from the wikipedia page that he has the same birthday as I do! (:

Sans Laptop...

... for five days and counting.

Things to Know in the Future:

- It's bad news when you open a bottle of soda near your laptop and it explodes -

1- Even if it looks like no liquid got in there, it probably did.

2 - Even if everything is acting normally right after the incident and you think you are free and clear, you're probably not.

3 - If you turn it off to give it a break and then turn it back on, don't be surprised to find that some keys are sticking. Such as the caps lock key.

4 - If it opens in 'safe mode' requiring a password for login and the caps lock key is stuck down. Unless your password is in all caps, you're kinda screwed (due to the password being case sensitive and all...)

5 - When you take it to get fixed and they say it will be two or three days. Don't believe them. You'll be without it for longer, so you better get used to it.

6 - It's good to live with people who have a computer / laptop you can use until you get yours back. As long as you don't drink soda while you're using it...

Yay for Dancing!

I love these two dances:

foxtrot

50's paso doble
if you want to skip the intro stuff - jump to 1:15


a bonus from last fall:
futuristic paso doble
if you want to skip the intro stuff - jump to 1:30


I think he's an incredible choreographer.
I haven't really been watching this season, but after I saw their dances from last week, I skipped ahead to watch just their dances from last night too. They did an Argentine Tango - I've never been a huge fan of the Tango, but it looked good. And again, the judges loved it.

I Just Had to Share -

do you recognize the cute little black boy?
here's a hint.

...

- when this happens -


- it's time for this -

(not pictured: sweet cushy sole right under my feet)

maiden voyage:
date - 12 May 2010
distance - 4 miles
verdict - awesome

So Cute!

To Do: Brush Up on Kayaking Skills

According to google maps, if you want to get to Australia, you're going to be kayaking. Three times.

click to enlarge

By car (and kayak) this takes a little over 55 days.
Walking - almost 189 days.
I love that google has walking to Australia as an option.

Not This Year

Two years ago I entered the lottery for the St. George marathon with my sister, brother-in-law, and some of their friends. We got in. I couldn't run it. I watched my sister finish it. It was awesome.

This year I decided to enter the lottery again.

Turns out I'm not lucky on my own.

I already knew that.

I hope Ecquadee enjoys running it.

I really do.

2 Down, 298 To Go

I began my fieldwork at the Utah Department of Health today. I'm working in the Epidemiology area focusing on prescription drug abuse. My first project requires me to go through all medical examiner accidental or unknown deaths in Utah since 2000 and sift out the ones having to do with drugs - legal and illegal. I'm able to do some of the work from home which will make it easier to get in the required 300 hours.

It's May!

Even with the nasty wind for the last week+, spring is here!



okay, well, Spring has been around for a while. it's just that I'm finally posting some pictures showing it. (:

Offiially Legal!

rabies vaccine - 1 May, 2010
licensed with the city - 3 May, 2010