Spring Fling 2010

Here are three great shots of two of the Psych Club's activities during Spring Fling.

The first is of Dr. Chris Chung-Wee getting taped to a tree by students with issues. Chris adamantly refused to participate in our Kiss-a-Baby-Farm-Animal event, so he volunteered to be taped to a tree. We made about $30 off of tape sales. We used pink tape because that is his favorite color.

The second is of Sharyn Eveland puckering up after the spectators decided that she should definitely kiss the varmint-of-the-year.

The last picture is of the Psych Club members that were present at the event.

Just a note: I got to kiss the llama for free.

The Pedestal

Yes, after asserting that pedestals are prisons without bars for thirty years, I finally made one for me. Not to stand on, but to display the Japanese doll Steven special ordered and presented to me when we lived in Utah about 25 years ago.

This shot is of Gene Conner, my Shop teacher, and me discussing the terrible mess I had made of the original lumber. Here is the story (it's an old, sweet song):

I asked Gene when he knew he had "the glory," meaning when was it that he knew he had a talent for wood working. He said that after his first year in Shop Class (or was it after his first semester?), he no longer had to ask questions. I personally think his memory is a little skewed.

Nevertheless I, of course, being remarkably smart and clever, and (of course) having a Masters degree, I began my misguided extrapolations. Aha!, I thought, If he can make something out of nothing, then I can too. After all, he is a high school teacher and I am a magnificent college professor.

When the sawdust cleared my vanity was revealed, I took a break, regrouped, and begged Gene's forgiveness. He's a very good sport and was kind enough to assure me that my sins against Poplar could be forgiven. It was a definate learning experience.

So here is a picture of the pedestal after I got humble enough to ask for help.


I still need to sand, paint and finish it. That probably won't occur until next summer. If I ask you a question, will you answer me honestly? Does it look like something a priest would put a basin of water on to sprinkle a baby?

Evolution of a Graphic Design

Several years ago one of my students, Danielle Hutchison, designed a logo for the Taft College Psych Club. I sent it to Micah for polishing, resulting in this:

Note: Micah never once suggested the font. It was all the idea of the designer.

Finally, after years of hemming and hawing around, the Psych Club decided to have some T-shirts made "to increase our visibility." I don't have a picture of the entire T-shirt, but here is what I could get on my scanner. To the untrained eye, the difference may not be apparent. However I am confident that all my descendants can clearly discern the differences.

Micah,

Hold Maggie Jane up to the screen and ask her to point out the differences.

New Callings

FYI: I have been called as a Ward Missionary in Taft. This is a lifetime aspiration. I have always wanted to be a missionary. All this is very new to me so I hope I am a profitable servant in this capacity. And, as one might expect, I am way jazzed about it.

I was also called to teach Relief Society lessons in Taft Ward. I've been substituting in this capacity for a while so I'm up for it. I'm certain that my skills in teaching in RS will improve now that I have been set apart.

Maggie Jane Our Newest Family Member

Here is our newest baby Bauer, weighing in at 8 lb. 15 oz. She was born on January 13th and took less than two hours at the hospital to deliver. Mom and Maggie are both doing well.

We will meet her in July when they visit, if all goes according to plan.

More Horse Pictures

Remember the admonition that wherever your treasure is, that is where your heart will be also?

These are not as flattering of me or my horse, but they're more than I had. The notion of her feeding with my arm around her is huge. Horses don't like being trapped and Chou-chou is particularly sensitive to being touched while eating.

She is in WY getting fat and I am in Taft doing what I am supposed to do in Taft. What I'm supposed to do in WY is train Chou-chou--a minimum of five days a week. Oh well. Such is life.

This is Beau. Someday I'll tell you the story of how I came to own Chou-chou.

Relaxation

Taft College's January In-Service is focusing on stress reduction. I got sucked into it. Here is the cartoon I fully intend to turn into a poster sometime early tomorrow so that we can hang it on the wall of the room dedicated to de-stressing.

Another artist gave me the idea. It isn't entirely plagiarized. I drew it myself with Gary Larson-type people in it and changed the contents of the shelf and the wording in the bubble. Not bad for a spur-of-the-moment project.