Memorial Day

Veterans Day
Originally uploaded by CoachCashMoney.

Thank you

I h8 computers

MacBook
Originally uploaded by Ricky Romero.

My computer is old. 6 years to be exact. We have a love hate relationship. I love it when it works, I hate it when it doesn't. When I bought it, it was a middle to high end computer. That was 6 years ago. I started cleaning up all my email on sunday and just generally a spring cleaning. I copied all my thumb drives to my hard drive and input all my contacts from last semester. I had outlook all updated. Then my computer crashed. And crashed, and crashed and crashed. A BSOD and a restart has been a daily occurrence for a while. My video card is old, and there are no drivers out there any more, so I sort of just got used to the restarts and a made sure to save documents frequently. So I freaked out. My last major update was in 2004 so I had backups cd's from then. Unfortunately, my backup from then had been on a university drive no longer accessible. I also don't have a dvd burner and my cd burner is a $50 replacement. Luckily, I think/hope after 3 days I have my documents/contacts/calendar/photos backed up. I had to use an ipod, cd-r's, and some network tools but I'm backed up onto the computer I had made for shellie. It's running ubuntu so I'm feeling a little safer. I don't have a back up of my music except for on my ipod so I'm hoping to last just a bit longer.

Though it the computer will probably die within the month, I am using synergy right now. It's a keyboard and mouse switch similar to a KVM switch. What that means is I have two video monitors in front of me, one running xp and one running ubuntu. I use one keyboard for both computers and one mouse. I just move my mouse over to either screen and that is the computer to use. It copies and pastes and does all that cool jazz. It's actually pretty cool. I just wish I didn't have to use it.

So, the plan is to get a new laptop. A new macbook, it will run mac and windows and will be a lot more reliable. It was time for an upgrade but I was hoping to make it until work had started. But I can't complain too much, I have all 6 years of photos, documents, and data. It could be worse right?!

Is it summer?

wet celebration
Originally uploaded by dcJohn.

It doesn't really seem like school is over. I ended up working the field hockey trials again this weekend. The weather was great and it's always fun to see outstanding hockey. I worked the NCAA softball regionals as well. Iowa didn't fair so well but at least the weather was great. This week the studying will be in full effect.

Google Notebook

19th February 2005
Originally uploaded by Paul Watson.

Google came out with a new service today. Google notebook, offers a bunch of services that are extremely easy to do on your home computer, but now you can access them anywhere and post them simply using a blogger account. I am wondering what is coming next or what google is planning on implementing this with.

The MacBook came out today as well. I was waiting for this and must say I am impressed with the specs. I have to see the screen in person to say how impressed I really am. I think this will be Shellie's new laptop as it really will be much more functional than a laptop that can serve only as an xp/vista or linux machine.

Update

I published part of my notebook. My "to-do" list. I think it will be more of a meeting point, collaboration tool, and possibly for researching articles, ideas, and coming up with content. Should be interesting

Tires and Repairs

Auto Graveyard
Originally uploaded by shadowplay.

Today was another day of repair. Shellie and I went biking yesterday and ended up with one flat tire. So today we went to Paul's Discount ot buy a set of wrenches and channel locks for repair. I ended up breaking the channel locks so I decided to just take it to World of Bikes to have them fix it. I also had to fix my bike which meant a new set of pedals after annihilating the bearings from the bike ride and new brakes. Upon returning the broken channel locks to Paul's I noticed clicking from my Jeep's tire. I was hoping for a rock and unfortunately got a nail. That means tomorrow morning I get a new tire. I'm hoping the barrage of destruction will end soon.

speech

commencement
Originally uploaded by jfravel.

I decided to post my valedictorian speech. So here it is in all its unedited glory.

Thank you all. Tonight has been a great night. It has been a celebration of the year and a celebration of the students. To truly keep this a celebration I will keep this brief. I just recently attended the Pharmacy graduation and hooding ceremony where the commencement speaker a young distinguished alumni noted that she herself could not remember the speech or the speaker at her ceremony and wished to keep it brief yet meaningful. I too will try this.

First thank you all for being here. You have come because you have been integral to this program in some way shape or form. Thank you all for making this event possible. Thank you to those who have come before me for this opportunity I am forever grateful.

I would like to thank my fellow students. We have made it through this program. Through both the academics and the service. We have challenged each other throughout this program but we have all made it thus far. We have made it through a very distinguished program. We made it through cadaver anatomy a class very few undergrads in the nation ever had the opportunity to take. A class that make us what we are today and a class whose exams still strike fear in us all. And I know Dr. Pizzimenti and Dr. Maynard aren’t here, but thanks, thanks a lot.

In turn I would like to thank the faculty, staff, and graduate assistants. We have a great thing going at the University of Iowa. We are surrounded by some of the greatest minds in sports medicine. We have the opportunity to be touched by great athletic trainers, physical therapists, physicians, physicians’ assistants, and orthopaedic surgeons. This opportunity does not go unnoticed and we thank you all for your time. There is a varied background, a varied style, and a varied methodology through out all that are here . But one things is true about all of you, you are all Hawkeyes and the compassion and sense of commitment to us as students and individuals is extremely strong. Thank you all. you have been integral to our development and we will be forever grateful. All the long hours, the hydration duties, and the small tasks all have made us what we are today so thank you. Thank you.

Lastly, I would like to thank my parents. I was going to thank my parents first, but I didn’t know if I was going to make it through this part. My parents are both educators. One a 1st grade teacher and the other a high school science teacher and soon to be vice principal, I actually took an honors chemistry course from him. I have always had the world of academia around me. From an early age my parents taught me to read and write and to love learning. I always had books read to me and was given guidance on all sorts of science experiments. They taught me to be honest to myself and to others. With this honesty and hard work you can accomplish anything. In today’s society of it’s not what you know it’s who you know, they instilled the idea that you must know before you truly can accomplish. My parents have continued to learn throughout their lives both continuing and getting their master’s degrees. They have also continued to enjoy life and live it to its fullest. I look to them as an inspiration and as mentors. Thank you.

I came to Iowa interested in health sciences. I took the long road to get to where I am but have truly learned along the way. I have tried to challenge myself along the way taking unique courses and trying to find people who can really challenge me. I looked to Faye Thompson a people person for a 3rd year preceptor, who takes a systems approach to people and their injuries, a far cry to the scientific ideals I started with coming from my fathers chemistry courses. So I thank you all. Thank you all for coming. I challenge my classmates and the others in the program to follow a quote by Adlai Stevenson who said “When you leave here don’t forget why you came.” Everyone have a great night. Younger students, please challenge yourself and take the opportunities to learn and experience athletic training, you have opportunities here that very few will ever have the chance to experience. And 1st years good luck this summer cadaver anatomy is only a couple weeks away.

finished

graduation
Originally uploaded by foreversouls.

Now the fun begins. Last night we had the sports medicine banquet with speeches and food being great. After that we hit downtown. Today we said goodbye to everyone who stayed here, all 8 of them, and then cleaned up the destruction after this weekends storm.

Dr. O'Connor

pharmacist
Originally uploaded by Enmicropedias.

Congratulations Dr. O'Connor! Shellie I am truly impressed you are an inspiration. Go on, and conquer the world.

Steve Jobs; Vegetarian, stops relationship with Happy Meals

Please God....Send me a Happy Meal
Originally uploaded by taylorkoa22.

Apparently Steve Jobs doesn't care too much for the food at McDonald's or at minimum he wants to stop using it to promote Disney/Pixar films to kids. According to a story in the L.A. Times, Disney is not renewing a 10-year agreement with McDonald's to include plastic toys in its Happy Meals

Finals = Over

swimming upstream
Originally uploaded by rrrichard.

I finished the neuroscience exam today. Shellie and I ran literally a dozen errands. On the way home we decided to stop at this restaurant that had just opened up to see if they had takeout. It's called Jade Sisters, a Japanese/Sushi place (i know the link isn't working but they told me it would be up soon). They said they opened up 3 days ago but they have a huge menu. I ordered sushi and Shellie had a chicken/vegetable dish. We also split a pad thai dish. It was very reasonably priced at $18 for all three dishes, and was outstanding. I plan on going back, but I happen to have leftovers for at least two meals.

Update

sushi
Originally uploaded by jfravel.

I uploaded a picture of the sushi. Outstanding

Last test

Grandpa's Beer
Originally uploaded by Goondock Jeff.

Last test tomorrow. 2:15 Motor Control Priciples of Neural Science. May I do well and conquer.

Invisible bookshelf - floating stacks of books for your walls

Invisible bookshelf - floating stacks of books for your walls: "Someone has invented a bookshelf that appears to be hidden behind the stack of books upon it. Check out the pics, the books really do look like they're floating!"

These are awesome. I am seriously thinking about getting these at $11 dollars.

France

paris
Originally uploaded by jfravel.

Matt O'Connor loves the French. He loves it so much he made a website about France. I think he should stick to studying basketball. And stick to studying his true heritage... being Irish.

Fresh Made, With Salt

Fresh Made, With Salt
Originally uploaded by Linus Gelber.

Shellbell is done with all school. I on the other hand have a presentation tomorrow morning at 8. She is celebrating cinco de mayo for the both of us tonight.

Bypass

heart_disease_Page_25
Originally uploaded by Chang Sheng.

My prayers are with you Kenny. Hope things go well tomorrow morning.

she's smart

shellie rules school
Originally uploaded by U of Iowa College of Pharmacy.

Shellie is famous. She won the Research Award for her work on "Pharmacokinetics of OSI-774 in Patients with Hepatic and Renal Dysfunction." I've seen the certificate so I can vouch that the picture isn't photoshopped. Believe it or not I actually helped with her poster a 6x3 foot poster as far as the graphics were concerned. If you asked me to tell you anything about the drug, I'd have to refer you to her. I was trying to finish up that last paper last night and realized I had to meet for the presentation. So that didn't get finished but I promise tonight it will.

the end is near

erica's pilates instructions
Originally uploaded by laurenarcissus.

Only two more papers left which should be finished by tonight. I have a presentation over the research we covered on syndesmosis ankle sprains. And two final exams, then I am long gone. I still have to prepare a photo slideshow and a valedictorian speech for the sports medicine banquet but that should take care of itself. Of great importance is getting a hotel for Tony and Christy's wedding in July.