Photographs of Red

It's been awhile. Mizzou has kept me very busy.

For my multimedia journalism class, we had to do an assignment where we had to take pictures with red being the dominate color, or at least where red stood out. Here are a few of those pictures taken around the Columbia area, as well as others not a part of the assignment.

A walnut among red leaves, a sign of fall, on a country back road.

A leaf found in Flat Branch Creek in Columbia, Mo.
It took forever to capture this shot.

Anthony's Pizza and Pasta in Downtown Columbia, Mo.
The photograph had potential. 

There are several of these interesting flowers along Broadway.

Bike in Alley A, Downtown Columbia, Mo.

Same alleyway.

Bricks in front of the Chancellor's Residence, Mizzou.

Red croquet ball. Fun times with family.

A calf stand next to its mother on a cool,
late September day.

Some Scenes of CoMo - Mid-August 2011

It's been a while since I've put anything on the Klog. A job and classes have picked back up at Mizzou. Busy.

Here are some scenes from around Columbia, Mo. (commonly referred to as CoMo) from the third week in August and a little something about each.

A beaten path down to Flat Branch Creek, a small stream that runs through
the middle of the city. This photo was taken in Flat Branch Park.

Water flowing between rocks in Flat Branch Creek.
So what if the sign says not to get in the water for high E. Coli levels? haha.

Also in Flat Branch Park,
 a bee lands on a flower on the east bank of the creek.

Students returned to the University of Missouri the second week of August.Some student tickets to the movie theater were left behind on the
columns, located on the Frances Quadrangle.

August 21 was Tiger Walk, a Mizzou tradition
where freshmen walk through the columns signifying their entrance
to the university. Tiger Strip ice cream awaited them on the other side.

It's Been a Summer... a Hot One!

No doubt about it, it's been one hot summer. Very hot. Over the past month, it's hard to find a day where at least the heat index has been below 100 degrees. In the past week during my stay at home for my one-week "summer break," there has not been a single day below 102 degrees.

Hey! Remember the "Snowpocalypse?"

"Snow Brawl on the Quad"
University of Missouri, Feb. 3, 2011

Sidewalk outside of an MU ResHall
Feb. 1, 2011

While I don't think anyone would enjoy reliving a 20-inch blizzard, I'm sure some of us would like a little something to cool us down.

I recently stated that you know it's August when walking on the grass is louder than walking on the driveway. We, here in southwest Missouri need some rain. We had a pretty wet spring, but it's almost like the valve was shut off back in late May. Extreme drought conditions and heat in Texas and Oklahoma have made life miserable for the people there. The so-called "heat dome" that was in place for most of July kept the weather pretty hot.

All of that together made things pretty warm when a southwesterly or westerly wind set in on the Ozarks. Which is pretty much how it's been over the past week or so. Check out the July 2011 high temps in Springfield, Mo. While there were a few low and mid 90s thrown in there, the heat index was above 100. Just to point out, the 108 degrees on Aug. 2 was a tie for the second hottest day on record (since 1888).

But, of course we must always realize things could be much worse. For a basic thought, air conditioners could not exist. That would be sad for sure. haha. But moreover, let's look at Dallas. Today (Aug. 4) is the 36th consecutive 100+ degree day there. The record is 42 consecutive days. Oppressive is an understatement. We, here in Missouri, haven't had to deal with the heat to that extreme, thankfully.

But, furthermore, dwell on this for a moment. Check out Baghdad's weather. It's been way above 100 for a very long time. The men and women serving our country there are fighting - for our freedom and safety - with heavy gear and backpacks all while dodging bullets and explosives.

I'll admit it. I've done my fair share of complaining over the past month. But, thankfully, no one has tried to kill me and nothing has blown up. With that said, things could be MUCH worse.

So, I'm sure I'll mention the heat a few more times in some Facebook posts in the coming week or so. But, I'll definitely be keeping this in mind and not complain.

Today, we shall thank God for the 1 1/2 inch rain. That was great! And a temp of 82 degrees at 2:48 p.m. That's pretty good too.

To close, it will (hopefully) all be over soon. Then we can move on and complain about how cold it is in the winter. haha. It is Missouri after all. There is not middle ground when it comes to the weather. However it never fails; the weather always makes for a good conversation. :)

Blah, Blah, Debt Crisis, Blah, Blah... I'm Frustrated, Who's With Me?

Crisis: it has three definitions. The first is listed as a stage in a sequence of events at which the trend of all future events, especially for better or for worse, is determined. It's a turning point.


What do you think? Do you think the trend of all future events is going to be determined for better or worse?


It's like this is an entirely new thing. It's being made out like this has come out of no where and slapped us in the face. The debt has been an issue for a very long time. In all reality, we just have some people who were sent to Washington in the recent year who had a pledge to fix the problem. It's a great idea. I commend them for their efforts, but this is not how it should be.


"Get your ass in line," Speaker Boehner, R-Ohio, said Thursday to his Republican colleagues, speaking on the debt crisis and the debate to raise the debt ceiling. He's a fine one to talk, eh?


As it stands, we have two parties bashing each other and practically working against each other. There are two plans in the works. 


Boehner's plan will cause a short term debt ceiling increase of around $900 billion ($900,000,000,000) and something like $915 billion in spending cuts/deficit reduction. Another increase in the debt ceiling will be instituted around election time 2012. Hmmm... Wait for it...


House Minority Leader Harry Reid's, D-Nev., plan would cut $2.2 trillion in spending/deficit reduction and give the go-ahead for a one-time debt ceiling increase that should get us through 2013. Again, read on, it's coming...


I know this is just a quick summary that's almost headline-like. Here is my two cents. I urge you, if your still reading, to form your own opinion. But here's how I see it - grab a bar of soap; my mouth is going to  need to be washed out.


They are both idiots. I hesitate to say all 535 of them are idiots, but there's no way to be conclusive on that. If we had a responsible government, we would not all be sitting in our living rooms watching President Obama speak time and time again about the urgency and how we need to get out of this mess (something on this is coming up later in this post too. Wait for it..) Over the past decade or so, government spending has been way out of control. Now to the plans...


My thoughts on Boehner's plan are that its a bunch of politics. Think about it. He wants to have a short-term increase. Then consider what more to cut and raise it again around election time 2012. 1) This is only going to extend this bickering and crap longer. We will have to go through the whole ordeal again. Bad for America, bad for him. We are fed up. And, 2) extending it a year sounds like a little bit of political move. More debate around election time = more political turbulence = referendum on the president, because we always look to the head of state as being part of the blame (typically so, but not always). Of course, it will be a referendum on congressional elections as well. Looks like a win-lose situation. Good luck with that, Boehner.


Now for Reid: I really hate to say this (grab soap), but what if he has the better plan? The overall concept seems to be fine for what needs to be done. BUT... we can likely count on additional revenues where they don't need to come from and less push on entitlement cuts. So in that aspect, I can't think this is a good plan either. Besides, it sounds political as well: let's push it beyond the 2012 election so our butts and Mr. Obama's butt can be saved, then the debate can turn its ugly head and come back with a vengeance again. 


Wonder what they all plan to cut? Way to be transparent. Remember those promises of transparency? Amnesia? We'd like to know. 


Remember the Cut, Cap and Balance Act? Sure, it may not have been the greatest plan either, but that plan, which passed the House in a 234-190 vote, had a constitutional amendment: the Balanced Budget Amendment. It's a great idea! Forty-nine states have balanced budget amendments. Haven't heard of a failure yet.


While I was writing this, news came around that Boehner's revised bill that will go for a House vote eventually may have a the Balanced Budget Amendment approach to it and is gaining support from GOP members. ..just a news bit there.


Now: August 2. It's not doomsday. Refer back to the U.S. Debt Clock. Our country may be broke, but there's enough revenue to keep the government moving for a little while after August 2. So when President Obama says he can't guarantee the checks will go out (see video below) ...

... does he really know what he's saying? Apologies for being critical, but come on. This is doing nothing but scaring people and the elderly who have grown to depend on programs like Medicare (an understandably necessary program for the elderly, unlike certain other entitlement programs. Again, just my two cents, please have your own opinion.). Deal or no deal, those checks are going to go out. There will not be a default on August 2 or August 3. We have some borrowed time there. I stress the word "borrowed." And when the day comes that, under any circumstance, we can't pay the men and women who fight to protect our freedom, it will be a sad, dark day in history.


Also, when the President addresses the nation (July 25), it should be used as a chance to bring us together, not divide. So, he probably shouldn't have dropped this line:

"The only reason this balanced approach isn’t on its way to becoming law right now is because a significant number of Republicans in Congress are insisting on a cuts-only approach – an approach that doesn’t ask the wealthiest Americans or biggest corporations to contribute anything at all. And because nothing is asked of those at the top of the income scales, such an approach would close the deficit only with more severe cuts to programs we all care about – cuts that place a greater burden on working families." - President Barack Obama, July 25

To read the address in its entirety, click the hyperlink "President addresses the nation (July 25) above. I'm not saying the entire address was bad. It was good. I've never seen President Obama give a bad speech or address in his official capacity on national television. He can deliver a great speech. The beginning and ending of this address was good/satisfactory, in my opinion. Again... just my thoughts.

One final point... a downgrade of the national debt is lingering. It's inevitable. Some credit agencies have already done so. They aren't the big credit rating agencies that we care more about, like Moody's. But get ready, because it's coming. Probably solely based on this whole fiasco. It's ridiculous.

Bottom line: Cut the crap. Cut the "it's my way or no way"mentality, cut the campaigning and politics and do your job. Listen to the People, congress. We're your boss. We can and will fire you.

Sincerely,

An angry young conservative who is fed up with the lack of representation on both sides of the aisle.

A Day Outdoors Leads to Misadventures With Cargo Shorts

This is a post about how cargo shorts can ruin your day. – A personal experience.

Recently, I had a horrible experience with cargo shorts. It wasn’t like a “shoot, I outgrew my shorts” issue, and it certainly was not a deep, serious life or death situation (too much of a lead for a post about shorts? Apologies).

It’s funny, because last Sunday evening some friends and I were sitting outside enjoying some frozen yogurt downtown. Somehow we started talking about how ugly and unstylish cargo shorts are and why one should not wear them. We may have even touched on the conveniences of wearing them. Anyway...

Let’s start from the beginning.

It’s 11:30 a.m., July 16. I was wearing a Mizzou t-shirt and a pair of cargo shorts. I planned to use the Saturday to go walking around the trails the city of Columbia has in the nature areas. The heat and humidity was beginning to set in, but I thought ‘pfft, I walked 17.6 miles on the Katy Trail last week in that heat, I can certainly do it again today.’

I arrive at the Hinkson Creek trail at 11:52 a.m. I have my phone in my right pocket, my wallet in my rear right pocket, my car keys in my left pocket, and my digital camera and a piece of gum in the lower left pocket. As I started walking, I thought to myself, ‘I probably should not have put the gum in that pocket. I’ll forget about it and have a little bit of a mess when I wash my clothes.’

A Google Map of my hike down the Hinkson Creek and MKT trails.

As I walk, I see a bee on a flower alongside the trail. Later, I see a squirrel eating a nut in a tree. I seize both opportunities for a photograph. It was two of the three occasions I used my camera through the whole afternoon.

Needing water just over halfway through my trip, I stop at a building off of Forum Boulevard to see if there was a restaurant or vending machine. There was no water. I remove the gum from that lower left pocket and the thought crossed my mind that I would not need to worry about a mess.

The bee on the flower.

A little more than four hours and 13.6 long, hot miles after beginning the walk, I was tired, slightly dazed and parched. I drive back to my apartment. I remove my cell phone from my upper right pocket and my wallet from the rear right. I cool off and throw my sweat-drenched clothes in the washing machine with the rest of the laundry. I jump in the shower for relief.

Note: Public water fountains are disgusting, especially the ones in a park. Who knows what kind of germs and disease lurk on those things?  ...back to the story...

I make some EasyMac for dinner and change the clothes from the washer and put them in the dryer. It instantly begins to make a strange noise. I had no idea what it could have been and didn’t mind it, so I continued to devour my EasyMac while watching the news. – Macaroni and cheese and the news: they make the world go ‘round.

Squirrel in the tree. It had a nut before I took it's picture.

Later, I sit down to edit an assignment for my news writing class with the clanking noise of the dryer still going in the next room. Then it hit me: I forgot to remove MY CAMERA from the lower left pocket of my shorts.

I freaked.

My camera drowned. It’s dead. The pictures you see posted here are the final pictures taken by that camera. By the way, if you ever lose your camera in a water incident, you will be happy to know the SD card is salvageable.

It had such a sad ending to an extraordinary life. It’s captured images around Italy and France, good times with friends during my senior trip to Daytona Beach and Orlando, graduations, family events, Mizzou sporting events, many beautiful outdoor sceneries and so much more. All to end in the depths of a washing machine.

So, let’s blame the heat for my lapse in responsibility, shall we? Haha. This will be one of those things that I’ll look back on life and laugh at. I already have, actually.

Just remember this story the next time you go walking though the mall and you see a nice pair of cargo shorts and think they will be a good buy. Don’t do it. It’s a trap. Besides, I think my friend was right... they are rather ugly. Don’t you think? Haha.  

Another Summer Day has Come and Gone Away...

Deciding to stay in Columbia and take a summer journalism course was a great idea. It keeps me on track with a four-year dual major plan. But, there have been several moments – more than there should be – that makes me long for that nice place I call home.

With only around three or four people to talk to and have true social contact with on a consistent basis over the past seven weeks, it has been easy to get down. You know that weird, unexplainable feeling that sometimes comes around often without notice? A very good friend of mine calls this a “funk.” It’s come and gone quite a few times.

Don’t get me wrong. I really enjoy Mizzou and the city of Columbia. It’s a great place. Having a Walmart, ice cream place and a gas station within walking distance is awesome! It definitely beats having to drive 20 minutes to get to any of those. But the peace and quiet and family time at home is something that has not occurred much lately, especially without the stress of an assignment or deadline lingering. Not to mention a nice sunset in the countryside, watching the lightning bugs and looking up at the entire night sky filled with stars.

Let’s go back and redo the Fourth of July weekend. Only, this time without any worry. Bring back the fireworks, family time and homemade butterscotch ice cream (SO good).

The nostalgia is around a lot. That’s not a bad thing at all. I love thinking back on great memories, and I thank God for them. All the Law & Order: SVU’s I  watched with my mom, the Sunday taco nights that we would have in time for the 6:30 p.m. showing of Hannah Montana (Yes. You read that correctly. Sometimes it had an interesting plot. Haha. Why? I’m not sure. It was just our thing.) Playing the old school Tetris games on the Super Nintendo with my grandma. Taking and looking at pictures with my grandpa. Fixing supper at the other grandparents’ house and making greeting cards. And we haven’t even scratched the surface there. Yep, those are legit good times..

Even the small town of Lebanon, Mo. Like Mazzio’s or Taylor’s Dairy Joy. Oh, what I would give for a cheese bread and a slice of dessert pizza or a butterscotch milkshake right about now.

The “funk” will have to be kicked. And it will be once things are back to how they were during the fall and spring semesters when there are more people around.

So, here’s to the last Friday evening in this apartment. The last Friday evening I will have the displeasure of being awakened by loud drunk idiots climbing the stairwell. Yee haw.

(Title derived from Michael Bublé's "Home.")

Anticipating August 2: Politics as Usual in DC

U.S. Capitol, taken 6/2010

Note: It's just how I see it... an average-ordinary American attempting to make sense of it all. If you have input, please comment .. politely.

----

"Like sands through the hourglass," is a good way to sum up the time remaining and the dramatics in DC.

Over the past several years, American politics has become super polarized. It's either one side's way or no way. Sadly, that's not how many Americans think. Especially when it comes to matters of heath care or a poor economy.

So, as we sit at home and watch lawmakers scramble around trying to figure out a deal to raise the debt ceiling before August 2, one must think: what the heck? We (they) should have seen this coming.

The U.S. Debt limit is $14.3 trillion ($14,300,000,000,000 - or to put it in perspective 4,218,289,085,546 10-piece chicken McNuggets - that's roughly 622 10-pieces for each individual in the world.) However, we  blew through that back in May. Shocker.

The current U.S. debt stands at about $14.89 trillion.

Hope your hungry.

So, as the United States Government continues to spend like there is no tomorrow we are nearing what Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner says could be "catastrophic:" a default on the debt. Could it really be? Who knows. We won't know until the very last minute when lawmakers decide to get their act together.

Check this chart out from ABC News: http://abcnews.go.com/Business/Politics/anatomy-debt-default-united-states/story?id=13940811

In what now looks like a failed attempt at the "grand bargain" to cut out $4 trillion in spending, Republicans want to cut spending on programs like social security, medicare and medicaid. Democrats want tax hikes. Of course, there's the general ideological split there.

Speaker John Boehner has ducked out of this deal. He, and other Republicans will not compromise on the debt angle of the issue.

Now, it looks as if there will be a plan for a half-as-grand bargain. A plan now for a $2 trillion reduction miiiiight be in the works. We shall see.

Here's what probably needs to happen: Not tax hikes. I invite you to check out the Fair Tax, instead. Get rid of that nasty income tax, payroll tax and the rest of the nasty taxes - for social security and such - and replace it with a 23% national sales tax. Pay taxes on what you go for, not what you earn - keep your paycheck.

After all, nowadays it's all about redistribution of wealth, right? The fact of the matter is: there is no need for redistribution. That's socialist. Contrary to what some in Washington believe, the United States of America is not a socialist country, it is a nation that has thrived on capitalism (up until, oh about 5 years or so ago). Success and ingenuity brings its benefits.

An individual who makes $250,000+ per year. Great! That individual has likely earned every penny they made. It was not just handed to them. They will pay their share of taxes. Don't punish success by tax hikes. Let there be a fair way of doing that. Don't turn around and give that hard-earned money to those who sit on the couch all day and watch soap operas and talk shows with their bag of chips and buying their dog food with their government handouts.

(Note: That is an example of two extremes and is not the case in every situation)

Besides, with the way things are going in the country right now, tax hikes are not the best thing for any American in any tax bracket. I think President Obama knows that - especially now that unemployment is back up to 9.2 percent.

Back to the debt talks. It's now time to be critical of Republicans: The Democrats bicker among themselves on whether or not to make cuts on their long-championed projects and programs, now is not the time to back away. It's time to cut the tax deductions. Stand your ground on no tax hikes, but take what's on the table and talk. Don't be hypocrites.

At least this is how I see it.

In the mean time, we will have to watch the drama in Washington. But, forget the popcorn! You have 6,220 chicken nuggets to eat.

Unless, of course, the genius working the deep fryers in the back can't count and puts only 9 nuggets in the 10 piece box. Now that's another topic for another time! haha.

So Long, Space Shuttle Program!

Tomorrow (Friday, July 8, 2011) will mark the ending of an era in American history. Space Shuttle Atlantis is on it's pad ready for lunch at the Kennedy Space Center, weather permitting. As it rockets off into space, so will the program itself.

Personally, I have grown up very interested in the space program. I remember watching my first space shuttle launch in 1998 in the library of Donnelly Elementary School in Lebanon, Mo. I was only in first grade.

It's sad to see it go. And it's even worse that the future is uncertain. Little in the way of funding is bringing bad news to the iconic NASA space program. It's just an opinion, but the U.S. government, more notably the Obama Administration, kind of failed the program.

President Bush announced the ending of the fleet in 2004. However, he said that there would be a replacement, and a more advanced way to rocket Americans into space. This project was called the Constellation Program. The program would have built a new space vehicle and made it possible for humans to make it to the moon and Mars sometime in the future. Nonetheless, development from NASA will manage to continue on - just not quite the same way.

In 2008, Americans elected President Obama to lead the country. He elected to lead Americans out of the space race, or at least slow us way down, by cutting NASA's budget and ultimately bringing a negative change to the famed American space program, and prematurely ending the Constellation Program.

I guess pushing for a social take over of health care was way more important, right? Oh, hey, how about saving all the jobs and keeping Americans employed?

Looks like to shoot for the stars, the U.S. will now have look to Russia to make it happen. Apparently, according to a report from a Houston ABC affiliate, the Russians are even a little surprised by our move.

However, there is an upside. Even though NASA has to end manned space flight for some time into the future, there are future plans for unmanned space flights to study the heavens. So we aren't out of it yet. Just a set back.

What I'm getting at here, is that we cannot let this program die. Sure, we can look to the future. Manned space flights from the United Sates will return someday ... at least we can hope, right? That is as optimistic as this pessimist is going to be.

After all, it is in times of hardships and turmoil when Americans look to little pick-me-ups like seeing a shuttle blast off into the sky. It is what truly gives people the hope for the future. Margaret Mead put it well when she said: "

We are at a point in history where a proper attention to space, and especially near space, maybe absolutely crucial to bringing the world together."

So tomorrow morning, at 10:26 a.m. central time, grab a bowl of Cheerios, sit down, and watch an important moment in American history, when we will place the period at the end of the sentence.

Some June Flower Pictures

Here are just a few pictures taken at my grandparent's house in late June. 

I don't get to go over there often, but try to every time I get the chance to return home for the weekend. It's always great spending the time there. 

Enjoy.

Not sure what this is. But, the sun shining through gives it a nice touch.

Attempting from a low angle.

Summertime College Courses - Killer, but Rewarding

Hey, look: Post No. 2. Who would have guessed.

What a great Independence Day. I was happy to be able to spend the weekend at home with my family. Sad to return to the norm.

Today started just like any other Tuesday or Thursday this summer. Woke up at 6:56 a.m., grabbed my bowl for some honey nut cheerios, showered, studied for this morning's current events quiz in my J2100 news class and drove off for the university. Yee haw.

Sat through two and a half hours of "this is how a lead should be written" along with a quiz and a writers workshop.

Rushed for time due to an interview I had with a Rocheport business owner an hour after I left class, I made a Starbucks run across the street from the J-School, ate two cookies, frantically changed into my nice shirt and tie, and drove like my mother 20 miles to Rocheport.

By the way, traffic lights in Columbia are ridiculous.

That's the killer. BUT...

There, I met the Luraas' of Rocheport Graphix Design. I had spoken to Mrs. Luraas on the phone for a previous assignment and was anticipating a great interview. I was not, however, expecting to spend nearly an hour and 45 minutes with her and her husband. .. I enjoyed every minute of it. There was never a dull moment, never a "please let this end" thought. They are truly genuine people running an above quality business.

Mrs. Luraas and I talked about the business and the lives of her and her husband while sitting in their gallery - with pictures of waterfalls, sunsets, and other nature scenes on the wall. Mr Luraas and I even got off on a tangent about the economy and politics - which, I thought was pretty awesome.

It was strange, had that typical feeling of stress and "oh gosh, I'm going to be behind on the schedule for the day if I don't get back and start writing this," yet I still wanted to stay and talk.

...That's the reward.

I can hope that I come across people like the Luraas' in my future career as a journalist. It's going to be hard to beat that. I walked away with not only a story to write, but a memory. I think that's what it is all about. - or at least that's what it should be all about.

Why? That's a Great Question

Hello.

I am sure no one will ever see this. But that's okay. For some reason, I've always wanted to have a blog, like it would be a cool thing. So, whether this will be the only post ever on here or not, I'm going to give it a shot.

Should I continue to write on this, the posts will be informal. So don't critique. haha.

I am a student at the University of Missouri in Columbia, majoring in Broadcast Journalism and will soon do the same in Political Science. It's a great place. I cannot see myself anywhere else. It's the right size and the right fit. There are so many great people at MU, from the best of friends - both old and new - and even the faculty and staff. Quality. That's what it is.

But home will always be in the small town of Lebanon, Mo. That's where the family is. That's where I've grown up.

Anyway, if you are still reading I should probably explain what I'm going to do on here... I don't know. Facebook is really the place to go. However if I ever feel a nice post that's more than 435 characters long - it happens often - I guess this would be a good place to go. Whether it will be a nice thing to share or a political rant, it might be on here.

That is, if I post again. haha.

Klog is the title because it's the only thing I could think of. My last name starts with K and the -log is just there. like a Web - log, a blog, or a Klog.

That's probably good enough for a first post. Especially for one that is being written at 2:01 a.m. after a long day/night at a racetrack.

Stay connected for the next post!