So I am totally slacking on the blog I know. What I am not slacking on is the website. I just spent a couple hours tonight sprucing up the entry page. Check it out! I am happy with it for now. I need to spice up the title with some word art or something. It works for now. So I am slowly moving along on the applications. I have been bogged down by several distractions- Lucas getting teeth apparently makes him cry a lot more- so that's a drag. I bought NBA Live 2006- although honestly I have only got to play it a few times. I installed the car stereo, took me a little over an hour. It was hard to get out and then I had to re-wire the harness so I ended up splicing like 12 wires. The stereo face is a little cheezy looking- but the sound is better and it is so much nicer to just plug the ipod in! I am very happy. I start teaching on Monday, should be fun. I have not taught for a few years now, I am looking forward to it. Spent most of today working out logistics, will have to write my lecture over the weekend. What else is this weekend? Sat morning- picking up reverend brian from the airplane and dropping him off on the train. Sat afternoon- being sick to my stomach watching a close USC-Arizona St game. Sat night- nothing yet... Sun morning Church, afternoon- hanging with the dads, night- youth group. Should be packed with excitement! The hanging with the dads thing should be cool. My friend Tony had the idea for the fathers to watch the kids while the women went to see a play (Little Women). Is pretty cool and honorable for the rest of the dads that actually have 9-5 jobs and leave the wife home with the kids. Since I stay home a ton with Lucas it will just be another day for me- but this time I will get to have beer and football! Hehe. Enough for now. Have a great weekend!

So today marks the day! The day I finally am able to solve a rubik's cube! Took me a while to figure it out, but I have finally mastered the cube. Fullfilled a childhood dream...
So with the money I saved on the mp3 player, I bought a car stereo that has an auxiliary port so I can play it in the car. Shouldn't be too hard to install- we'll see tomorrow when it arrives. The player still won't come for another week... grrr.
Yesterday I went and bought NBA Live 2006. Such a sweet game. It came out today, but EB games gets them a day early. I showed up at the store and had the guy open the morning shipment. There were tons in it, and I was the stores first sale of it! So awesome. I played a game online- so fun to play a real person somewhere around the world. I of course made a character modelled after me. I dominate...
Tomorrow is the lab meeting where we talk about our goals for the quarter, and list our failings at completing the goals from last quarter. It is always fun. Especially the part where we list goals and then we cut each other down on whether that is really a goal. At one point, there was going to be some competitive rating about who did the best- but I don't think that really motivates folks to do stuff. My goals are apparent this year...

Here is the token Lucas photo...

Today, was fun package day! I got an incredible new lens for my digital rebel, and the DVD set of the original star wars. So cool.

Went in today and dropped off a couple tiger salamanders into Rachel's classroom today. I gave my 15 minute talk to the class. They loved them. My favorite part was teaching them the word fossorial. Don't know what it means? Look it up.

Lastly, I bought my first slick deal today. So I was ranting about the creative zen micro photo earlier, but I got tired of waiting for it to come out so I started researching around. I found another player that does the same thing but got it for super cheap. Like $100 cheaper. Slick deals.com rules! I like the look of this one better anyway. I wanted it in red, but the deal was only on the gray one and for that kind of savings I am not passing it up. Downloaded subscription music will soon be mine! I am so excited! It will give me something to do while waiting in the courtroom during jury duty... Yes, got a jury summons in the mail today. First one ever. Well not really- I got them in college but I blew it off. There is probably some summons for my arrest somewhere. This time I better go. I'll have to just bring Lucas to court. It can be a learning experience for him on the judicial system. Keep him out of trouble at an early age. Speaking of, he has been asleep for like 2 hours now. This is where I start to fear that he has suffocated and is laying dead in the other room. Of course he is not, and of course when I go check on him he will awake. Reminds me- this morning when he woke up from a nap I let him bang on my computer. In the past it has been no big deal. But this morning, HE RIPPED OFF MY ? KEY!!!!! Like it was totally off. Luckily, I could fix it, and it seems to be working fine. Today marks the beginning of the struggle between baby lucas and daddy's technology...

So day 1 of the crazy schedule has begun. I get things done. Well today anyway. It is amazing how easy it is to work in the office when no one else is around in the early morning! And I have discovered that turning the TV off at night gives me an unprecedented focus to actually write. That bodes well, I am hopeful I can sustain it. Tonight I am working on the research statement for applications. Thought more about Westmont, seems a great place to be. Once I found out they had faculty housing, made me feel much better :) Otherwise, no way we can afford a house in beautiful Santa Barbara! This whole thought process about next year is quite a whirlwind. Anytime people ask me about it, I find myself listing out all the possible options for about 10 minutes. Talk about being in the hands of fate! It can be quite scary and intimidating at times, but on the other hand incredibly exhilerating. What are you going to be doing next year this time? To be able to honestly say, "I have no idea" is quite exciting! It really would be nice to be back down in Southern California to be near our family. To be able to do what I love for a living, and live where I would love, man Westmont is sounding more like a dream every minute. I guess I better stop dreaming about it and get back to work!
PS (I promise I will include a photo of Lucas in the next entry).

Been awhile since I have updated this, too busy. Found another great school to apply to: Westmont University in Santa Barbara- I am guessing that my sister-in-law (or out-law as I call her) is the holiest one out there since she was praying for a job to open up and it did! Her brother went there so I am depending on her to make some calls to make it happen... I think I got a decent chance. My credentials are good, but I know I will not be competing with 300 other applications there. They ask you to sign a statement of faith, and it is pretty extensive. Fits with everything I believe about Christianity, but this is when it is an advantage that most biologists are NOT Christian. So we'll see what happens. Working hard on the applications...
I had a meeting with my advisor today to discuss this next years plans. He told me that it was going to be quite a year for me to get it done and apply for jobs and write several post doc grants and raise a son. I love the challenge. I also am satisfied knowing that if things don't work out this year, I can quite easily stay another year in Davis. Although I must admit, walking on to campus today it felt a lot like walking onto my high school campus senior year. Something about a last year that gets you going.
Final note: I played basketball with my lab outside from 4-5:15. It was so hot outside! When I got in my air conditioned car, I started feeling much better- so I headed over to the church to play from 5:30-6:30. I am so freaking exhausted...

Play-doh Madness!

Annie and Nate Playing...

Continued from below- read that first.
So from there we headed out to the funeral. It was a great ceremony- many family members spoke (Rachel doing it spur of the moment) speaking of the great life he led. I meanwhile was changing Lucas' diaper in the back. He decided to crap his pants at the end- I just know Grandpa Krueger was laughing his ass off in heaven watching me. From there to the burial site. It was real nice, Rachel's dad read some stories from his military record. Apparently he saw some serious action in WWII. His claim to fame was tracking (he was a radar operator) Roosevelt's plane to the peace summit. Hit me the hardest when the color guard played taps. Flashed me back to my grandfather's funeral- he was in the marines- Staff Sargeant I think. He had a 21 gun salute. I am wondering if my grandfather was a war hero. Don't know much about his military service. Probably a reason most serviceman don't talk about whichever war they were in. Anyway, from the funeral I decided to head back up to Davis. On the way home we stopped to celebrate my birthday. Yeah sharing a birthday with a funeral... I got a lot of birthday wishes, and most people were like, "sucks to have a birthday today eh?" Oddly enough, and those that know me know I am a fanatic about my birthday, I wasn't bummed at all. In fact, I really enjoyed the time it gave me to think about life and aging. Being a parent, seeing the many generations present- thinking about what kind of life I lead and what will be said at my funeral. It was probably one of the most introspective birthdays I have had. I enjoyed it. I did not enjoy the drive home. We got in at 1:30am. So that was my weekend. Still have the past two days to discuss! The blog is lagging!

So much to tell... an intense and long "weekend." Started out with the Friday night drive down, Lucas + 6 hours in the car = Plane ticket next time. Too much unhappiness. Saturday, my cousins wedding. A CRAZY day. Drove from my parents house to pick up my brother in Northridge (which involved me ringing the doorbell obnoxiously at his neighbor's house- oops wrong house). From there to Rachel's parents house to drop off her sister (which we picked up from LAX) and have Rachel fitted for her dress for her sis' wedding. Rushing from there to the wedding which started at 2pm, we showed up at 2:30pm which was no big deal because apparently the actual ceremony didn't start until 3:15pm (good tactic for our family). Lucas was a complete mess beginning to end. Turns out the bag pipe guy that played for an hour straight pretty much did him in, and there was no escaping him. Like some bad horror film. We stayed only until 8pm which was not nearly enough time to hang out with my cousins, but entirely too much time for Rachel to be stuck with our screaming child. From there we stayed the night at Rachel's parents house. Left the next morning for my parents house and the birthday party. Lots of fun sent the pictures via my cell phone in the previous blogs. It was a 4 time celebration- my brother and I (as always) my cousin Josh, and my brother's girlfriend's boy (get that?). I loved it. At one point there were 4 laptops going in the living room- geek fest! The online gift list worked like a charm- got mostly money to buy everything I want on it! So I will have the NBA pass, the new game, the new star wars movie, and money for the mp3 player! I love it. I did get some actual gifts- my brother broke the bank and bought me a box of El Rey Del Mundos (what we are smoking in the photo below). Lucas bought me the Star Wars trilogy on DVD which was fitting because he and I watched it together when he was first born and keeping me up all night. Monday morning we headed out to Hemet for the funeral. The viewing was that night. I have sadly been to enough now that it no longer freaks me out. I actually enjoy being able to see the person one last time for closure. Seems freakish, since most folks hate that sort of thing but I will never forget kissing my grandma goodbye on the cheek- perhaps the most healing thing. It seemed to have the same effect on Rachel as well. She was a little freaked about having to go to it, but really thought it was a good thing in the end. If I had a camera and was bold enough to use it, the photo of the night would have been when Rachel's dad took his two grandchildren (Lucas being one of them) to say goodbye to his dad. The juxtaposition of two such lively and happy babies next to their passed on great grandfather showed the amazing power of life. That was a tough night for many. We left early to put the kids to bed. We all hung out (I, Rachel her brother and sister and sister-in-law) in the hotel room for awhile while we locked the kids into the other room to sleep for a few hours. It was kind of funny when their aunts pulled up and we told them we were going to have dinner and left the kids in the room- they were relieved to know we meant we ordered pizza and were not actually abandoning our children. The next morning (my actual birthday) I was awoken by Lucas at 4am. (speak of the devil he is waking up right now). I will have to continue this later...

Cigars

Brother bought me a box of cigars!

birthday party

Here is my cousin art - live from the Bday Party.

Bad news... Rachel's grandpa passed away tonight. He was ready to go, I am not sure if the rest of us were. Tonight, a Romeo y Julietacigar and a tall glass of whiskey. Only the finest in remembrance of him. I am sure he is having much better...

So today I am now listing out all the jobs I am applying to for next year. So far I am at 13! And they are all over the country! One is in Nebraska (where I know Rachel would never want to move) but I have to apply at least! One is at the University of Tennessee- Flemings love that! Although I just found a new one that really excites me- Seattle University! It is in a terrific location (rain= amphibians) and at a school with a spiritual base (Jesuit). This may be may new favorite that I feel I have a shot at. I also have family up there (my long lost favorite uncle)! So get excited and start praying for my favorite new school- or selfishly your nearest city: (Greensboro NC, Geneva NY, Syracuse NY, San Marcos, TX, Santa Cruz CA, Houghton MI, Lubbock, TX, Knoxville, TN, St. Louis, MO, Bloomington, IN, Lincoln, NE, Washington, PA or Seattle, WA!) The photo has nothing to do with this, but it is so awesome.

Okay, so the deal has been altered. Instead of the 6GB Micro Zen, I am waiting for the 8GB Micro Zen photo. It is a better version with a color screen for only $30 more. The word is it will come out this month or next, so I am patiently waiting... I'll let you know the progress on my geeky front.

I have started the application process. Today I worked on my CV and cover letter for Guilford University in Greensboro, North Carolina. I feel like it is a pretty strong CV, but I have no idea what the competition will be. I would absolutely love to get an interview there. I sent it around to my lab for comments. Already got some good feedback. Got a month to work on it.

Getting excited about going home this weekend. Always good to see the family. They are going to freak out about Lucas. He is SO MUCH BIGGER than when they last saw him. He totally can sit up on his own, grab things, we even started feeding him rice cereal. I will have to put up the photos of that... too awesome. He eats like a champ. Seriously, the first time I fed him he totally knew what to do. Opened his mouth, sucked it down, and grabbed for more. He has eaten pretty much every day since Saturday. What's next!?!

Deal's going down (see entry below)! So sweet...

USC clobbered Hawaii, not suprising- but makes me happy. I am grateful the Trojans are on top as the Lakers rebuild. Tough to 3peat, but I am pulling for them. USC vs Tennessee- what do you think Flemings?

Bad news, my dad's cousin died of brain cancer last weekend (51). She was always nice and sunshiney. Couldn't make the funeral in SoCal, but my prayers are with my family. We actually know my dad's cousins fairly well- hung out with them when I was younger and we have a family picnic with them every year (although there has not been one in a few years).

Found even worse news if you can believe that- won't discuss it here though...
Sorry to leave you hanging, but too sad to tell.

Here is my latest goal. You know me and my toys. So here's the deal. I got this sweet Yahoo Music Engine program where I can play over a million songs on my laptop when its hooked up to the internet. The sweet thing about Yahoo (over the others) is that you can download these songs to an mp3 player and take it with you anywhere. The bad thing is that this feature only works with certain players- this one being one of them, ipod not being one. So since I have two ipods, I am negotiating a trade. My ipod for a creative zen micro. I think it is a fair deal. To buy both new my ipod is at least $40 more, typically $70 more so used it ends up being a good deal for both of us. Not finalized yet, we'll see if it falls through, but if not I will be stoked. That's all for now. Now that the printer is fixed, Rachel is begging me to print out photos...

So here is where my new job will be at- yep a castle in Italy. I was just looking at a job in North Carolina at a small teaching school. Looks like a pretty nice school, and they have a sweet study abroad program. And of course they'll need professors to go and teach there... And hence I will be living in a castle. Now that is cool.
Thumb healing up, it was just really swollen that day- after a tough regime of icing it is much better. Even played some bball with it today. I was a little timid on defense because I didn't want to reinjure it. Apparently, I am now in charge of bball on Tuesday, rumor is I am getting a key even. The responsibility is overwhelming... We are hoping to get more folks involved and playing in there more often. Lord knows I need it.
Last night I smoked one of my new cigars- a Romeo y Julieta Madera Reserve. It was a beautiful cigar. Had a tight draw in the beginning, but loosened up to quite a good smoke. I read an excerpt from the imitation of christ during the smoke. Good read, inspiring in fact.
Lastly, we made a donation to the Red Cross today for the Hurricane victims. Brutal. I cannot watch the coverage for more than a few minutes. I take for granted so much in my life.
Lucas is sick and he's crying, I better go console him. "Look at our castle Luke!"