100th Post and BWCA Trip!

I got back from the BWCA yesterday (our trip). I've been on a few trips around the world and I think this was the greatest trip I've ever taken. One word: Amazing. Couldn't have asked for a better group of guys to adventure with (Quinn, Dan, Garlick, Matt, and Marcus).

We left Friday afternoon for Seagull Outfitters on the Gunflint Trail. We set out bright an early the next morning for Round Lake and our entry point, Missing Link. After leaving Missing Link Lake we had a huge (1.17 mile long) portage, "Tusc Portage," to Tuscarora Lake. I carried the equipment pack (70lbs) up and down rocks and through a swamp. There were times I wanted to give up and go home, but I persevered and learned about myself and what I can do if I put my mind to it.

Once in Tusc, we ventured to an island campsite only to find it was taken. Instead we made our way to the western shore to a point campsite. We stayed here through Wednesday, August 15. When the sun set on the first night we were given an impressive show as the Perseid Meteor shower started to heat up.

Sunday we started our DnD campaign. That's right, we played Dungeons & Dragons in the BWCA. Garlick created an incredible campaign in the Greyhawk realm.

Also, three of us stayed up late, spread out our camping chairs on the granite beach, and watched the Perseids put on an amazing show. We talked about life and astronomy. It got chilly but none of us wanted to leave the beach, there was too much beauty to take in.

Monday and Tuesday we played DnD, explored Tuscarora, talked about books, music, movies, politics, etc. We enjoyed singing and ad-libbing The Bloodhound Gang, Credence Clearwater Revival, "Never Gonna Give You Up", amongst others.

Wednesday morning we moved to Bat Lake. This campsite was literally a stone's throw away from an island. On that island we swam, collected water, watched the stars, etc. Also, the campsite was a five minute paddle from the 2006 Cavity Lake fire. Friday we took a morning trip to the North shore of Bat Lake to explore the fire. Later that afternoon we finished our DnD campaign. Our characters are going to take over a town and start our own adventuring guild. If/When we take this trip again next year we'll see what happens as we start our Guild.

Saturday we packed up and headed home. First stop: Dairy Queen in Grand Marais for burgers and ice cream. Second Stop: Backwoods Bar & Grill in Duluth for a beer. Third Stop: Super America in Duluth for cheese, Combos, Doritos, and Powerball tickets.

So that's the gist of the trip. Here are some pictures:








Here's the album with all the pictures I took:

BWCA 07

One more to go...

...this is post 99 so I'm going to say I'm back from the BWCA. More to come.

A Well-deserved Vacation is a Terrible Thing to Waste

...so I'm not going to waste it. This afternoon I leave for the great green north that is Northern Minnesota. Yep, a week of wilderness camping, canoing, fishing, swimming, DnDing, smelling, etc... the list goes on. Plus the Perseid meteor shower is Sunday night/Monday morning which will be pretty amazing.

Well, here's to camping and I'll be back next Sunday! (I'll probably look like Grizzly Adams, but I won't care).

Let hell month commence!

This week:

• Monday: Prepare updated image for manager (who is now in Austin, TX). Run the computer for a demo to a major research firm (I thought I was going to have a heart attack after I realized who the firm was).
  
• Tuesday: Test new MVWare image for manager. Monty Python's Spamalot! at the Ordway in St. Paul.
  
• Wednesday: Family arrives. Sign my leaese and begin moving.
• Thursday: Take family on IBM tour. Continue moving
• Friday: Yet more moving/cleaning. Manager gives demo in Denver.
  
• Saturday: Possible brewery tours in the Cities
• Sunday: BWCA/Dungeons & Dragons planning get together.

Observations on my trip to New York (so far)

1. The men's room at O'Hare, Terminal 3, Concourse G smells like black licorice.
2. O'Hare likes to cancel flights due to "air traffic" and "wind" (no effect to flights as of 7/10).
3. Wild turkeys run rampant at IBM HQ.
4. New York can be just as hot and humid as Minnesota.
5. I have a funny accent.
6. Just because your cellphone was smart and changed time zones, it doesn't mean your laptop does the same.

What I learned from "Transformers" the movie

1. General Motors == Good
   
2. All other cars == Bad
3. Armed forces == Good
4. Government == Pseudo-bad
5. Nokia cell phones have samurai skills (because they're from Japan [not really...they're from Finland]).
6. Mountain Dew is lethal
7. Nahnahnahnahnahnahnahnahnah Spider-Pig, Spider-Pig (ok, that's from "The Simpsons Movie" trailer, but worth it.
   

I'm a real employee!

Yep, today I became a "regular" employee although nothing has changed. I have the same serial number (that I've had since Jan. '05), same email address (since July '06), and same job (since Feb. '07). I even have the same directory listing (since July '06), although that will changed Wednesday or Thursday.

I'm glad for the change. I no longer track hours worked (yay!), but I no longer receive overtime (boo!). Plus I'm no longer paid weekly (bi-weekly after I receive last week's paycheck). I'm super excited for vacation and am looking forward to take some time off later this week. I still need to buy fishing equipment and supplies.

*EDIT*
Well, since I'm a regular employee I decided to leave work early today. As such, I bought four pounds of cherries (for a kickin' beer), made 10 liters of ginger ale/beer, and enjoyed some pretty damn good Hoegaarden.

"Dr. Strangehump or How I Heard a Neighbors Across the Street Have Sex"

I feel embarrassed for her.

While taking dogger out for his nightly poop, I heard a strange noise emanate from across the street. At first I thought someone had their washing machine on with their windows open.

Boy, was I mistaken.

As I encouraged Tyson to evacuate his bowels, the noise got louder and louder. I thought I could discern a human voice. I did.

It was my older (mid-forties) neighbor across the street doing the vertical mambo on a squeeky bed. At first I was frightened, but then I felt embarrassed for her, having left every window in her townhouse open.

Man, I got a good chuckle out of that humdinger (heh heh...humdinger).

Tonight is the night that I...

...clean out my keg! And sanitize some bottles!! And fill the bottles!!! And the keg!!!! With BEER!!!!!

That was fun :-)

But first I must procure some rubber bands from the workplace. I need to MacGuyver a way to separate 2ozs of hops from the beer.

Edit:

I decided to wait until tomorrow (at the earliest). When I cracked open the keg it gave off the wonderful (not really) odor of autolyzed yeast. Basically it means what yeast was in the keg went cannibal and started eating its fellow yeasties. I'm going to let it sit overnight to deodorize. Also, leaving the beer line (the part that connects the keg to the tap) uncleaned since the keg was last used in December/January means a very dirty beer line. Duh. I'll let that soak in some potassium hydroxide to get rid of the skankiness.

Oh, and I should probably lube up the o-rings. That sounds dirtier than it is. On second thought...no, it's not.

Time to get my Freakazoid! on.

Sunday is Wii-day!

That's right, I got a Wii. It rocks...hard. That is all.

12th Annual Midwestern Lumberjack Championships...

Will be in Rochester Saturday, June 16. Gates open at 10a.m. and competition starts at noon. Eight dollar entrance fee (for those adults out there). Who wants to go?

I did this one, too!

I made it myself

Empty Soju bottles. Taken in South Korea.
Cool, huh?

Beer!

Since this is my first weekend in a long while where I'm not traveling all over God's creation I've decided I'm making beer... Saturday AND Sunday!

I've been in a brewing drought. Last batch brewed: December. Yikes.

As you may or may not not, a new hobby developed in the meanwhile: infusing spirits. So far I've made kiwi vodka and am in the process of making triple-berry rum (of the black, rasp, and straw varieties) and raspberry gin. I think green tea something (rum? vodka? what do you think?) and rose pedal rum will be next. (For the right price, I can make anyone something)

But back to beer.

First, a historical style: Kellerbier. I'm sick of making wheat beers so this will replace it for the season. This brew will be straight to keg and straight into the fridge.

Second, an American barleywine. There's a metric shit ton of hops going into this brew. Cascade for aroma, bittering, and dry hopping (I've never dry hopped before, so here goes nothing). I'll bottle this bad boy and age it until Winter 2007.

Maybe I'll give mead another try, too....

It's that time of the year...

and I don't mean baseball season. It's moving time!

Well, it's not really moving time but it's time to start looking (damn two month warning period). By the end of the month I need to know where I'm living for the next 12 months.

Now, being a pet owner severely limits my options. Specifically, being a dog owner severely limits my options. In Rochester, there are three places I was considering: The Village at Essex, Quarry Ridge, and GrandeVille at Cascade Lake.

After talking with a friend about her experience at "The Village" (of the Damned) I realized that it's not a place I want to live. Turns out they also offer Section 8 housing at their property. That means one of her friends woke up to an arm coming through a cut in a screen window. No way will I live there.

Yesterday I cut out a bit early and went to Quarry Ridge. I learned there's one one bedroom available, a handicap unit. I looked at the place and for the price it isn't worth it. Sure there's underground parking and a pool, but still, it's a small overpriced apartment.

Which brings us to today and GrandeVille. Think townhouse meets apartment. I'm really digging "The Aspen" on first floor. Right now I have a two bedroom townhouse, and I hardly ever use my second bedroom. It sits empty as an office and a greenhouse for my pepper and rosemary, respectively. The particular unit I was shown is two doors down from the lake (sweet!) and in the back of the development. Nice and quiet.

Amenities: Pool with cabana (think grill, fridge, sink, prep area), exercise equipment, tanning, sauna, clubhouse, personal garage and private entrance. Oh and the unit I was shown had a fireplace.

Price: It's more than what I pay now, but I'll be paying less in utilities.

Other: It's in Rochester and not PI. It's close to a kick-ass sledding hill and a produce market (yes, they belong in the same sentence). The daily commute will be 10 minutes instead of 25. Oh, and they like pets.

So, yeah. I really like this place. What do you guys think?

That was fun...

So today after I dropped my car off at the dealer for an oil change something red caught my eye. I thought it had a familiar body style, but since it was a Honda dealership I ignored it.

When the dealership picked my up at three I had a better look at the red car.


That's right a 2005 MINI Cooper S. Six-speed transmission, GPS/Computer, CD, sunroof, leather heated seats. The whole caboodle.

After I picked up my car, I decided (on a whim) to stop at the Honda dealership to take a look. As I looked, a crafty car salesman wander over and told me about the car. Then he asked, "Do you want to take it for a test drive?"

Image my consternation. I've never driven a stick in my life. When I told the salesman this, he replied, "Do you want to learn?"

A jerky start later we were off on a drive around NW Rochester. This is a hella fun car to drive. I killed it only once (at a stop light), otherwise I was jetting around with the 198hp this MINI has to offer. Tight and responsive, a welcome change from the Pontiac Grand Prix.

When we got back to the dealership I asked the damage: $23,550. I don't think this car is in my future, but maybe one of it's other Oxford-born twins will be.

Cool wHip

Curling

I thought I would pass along this nugget of information:

This is a reminder that the Dakota Curling Club has an Open Ice session scheduled for this Sunday, April 1st, from 1:30 to 3:30. If you are new to the game, come give it a try!

Members may practice or makeup games at no charge. Guests will be charged $10 per person. Club members will be on hand to work with guests who come to check out the game.

We play at the Burnsville Ice Center at 251 Civic Center Parkway in Burnsville. See you on the ice!

Let me know if you're interested and we'll plan something. I will be there fo'sho.

So there we were...

standing in the pasta line at Cossetta in St. Paul after a disappointing Swarm loss, when I told T of my master curling plan.

You see, as a member of the Dakota Curling Club I can register for bonspiels (tournament for those curling noobs) at clubs around Minnesota. As a mater of fact, the St. Paul Curling Club (on fantastic Selby Ave. next to the glorious Happy Gnome) is hosting just such an occasion April 13-15. Those of you in the Cities should stop by one, or all, of these days to see us in action. Granted, I think we have a total of -0.5 years experience in curling, but really, who gives a damn?

Curling and Ages

Tuesday is the Social/Skip's Meeting for the Dakota Curling Club's spring league. Now, when I first registered/paid member dues, I was going to play in the Single's Learning to Curl league. A few weeks later the club lost it's clubhouse and postponed all leagues until after hokey season finished so we could return to the Burnsville Ice Center.

In preparation for season's start I learned that the single's league consisted of four people: two males and two females. That's it. So the club canceled/merged the single's league into Instruction League II, and made the four of us into a rink (team). Now here's the cool part: What's the team's name? That's right, it's Team Claussen.

As time went on someone on the team decided to send an email giving some information about who they are, their skill level, etc. Before I go any further, remember, this was supposed to be a singles league and I'm 23 years old.

Here's her email:

Fellow curlers,

I wanted to introduce myself as I am on your team for the upcoming league. I am the Lower School Principal at St. Paul Academy having just moved to Minnesota in July after having lived the last 2o years overseas, the last 8 in Spain.
...

Hmm, 20 years overseas and a principal. Probably way out of my age range. Not exactly what I'm looking for.

Oh well. It's curling and will be fun. Oh, and there are still lots of open spots in the instruction leagues if anyone is interested. For $150 you get a club membership, a Learn to Curl class, six curling sessions, and a name pin! Wooo! Do you have anything better to do Sunday afternoons?

Harold Crick

I just finished "Stranger than Fiction."

Wow.

This is the best movie I've seen in a long time. Better than "Children of Men." You can't help but be drawn in by the many different stories taking place concurrently throughout the movie; stringing them together into a coherent whole. The characters are so vivid that you actually care what happens to each of them as the movie progresses.

When the movie comes out on Tuesday, I will buy it and I suggest you do the same.

New name for Tyson

Poopy McPoop-Maker...his mom wanted to keep her maiden name.

It's just like...it's just like...

Be on the lookout...

Number One on our Threat Down is KP. Beware!

Whee!

While I was ditzing around on Wikipedia today, I discovered that Jack's Mannequin is playing at Myth on February 12. ROCK! I am going to be there and not be square. Are you?

TGIF...maybe not

Ok, so this afternoon has been the most infuriatingly long afternoon I've had since my (not so) triumph return to Rchland. I've just spent the last three hours on the corporate IM client talking with my project mentor. He's pulling edge cases out of the woodwork while saying "What if this happens? We need to plan if the customer modifies this file."

Then he comes up with these ridiculous solutions that will eat up weeks of time. When I try to contribute something, he dismisses it, and then thinks of a solution that incorporations what I just said.

Now it's 5:30 on a Friday afternoon and I'm still at work. Hell, it isn't even afternoon anymore: It's evening. Fuck.

hmm

Don't trust dentists from Eagan. When they say two, they actually mean five.

Two years...

While out at a bar last night, one of my friends mentioned this week was his two-year IBM anniversary. Two years. I'm feeling a bit nostalgic, so let's see what happened over those two years (in no order):

• Turned 21 (boy was that fun)
• Lived in three different apartments
• Traveled to Missouri
• Blew out my knee
• Ginger & Peter married
• Dusty & Jackie married
• Angela & Chad married
• Chris & Melissa married
• Quinn & Kari married
• AJ & Maria married
• Blew my ankle
• Had foot surgery
• Graduated
• Visited South Korea
• Visited Purdue
• Cursed the University of Minnesota
• Left IBM
• Came back to IBM
• Had a spring break experience
• A dog appeared in my life
  
• Lost a grandpa
• Saw my dad drunk as a skunk
• Had a case day
• Showed Edward Forty-hands who's boss
• Realized, as fed up with State as I am, that Brookings was home
• Graduated
• Applied to grad school for the second time
• Wondered, what can I do with a B.S. in Physics?
• Graduated
• Visited the SPAM Museum
• Visited Watertown
• Accidentally ran three-quarters of a half-marathon
• Brewed five batches of beer and two batches of mead

Hmm, another 2006 review?

I suppose so. So what happened last year in the "Year o'Claus?" (I'll even go in order!)

• Went on my first ski trip
• Made hard alcohol (mmm, super-strong amaretto)
• Drank bum wine
  
• Went on my first spring break trip
• Went to Watertown for the first time (I remember a lot of drinking when we got back)
• Case Day
• The brownie scavenger hunt
• I graduated! (party number one)
• Went to South Korea
• Got screwed out of an easy summer graduation
  
• Graduation party two
• Moved back across Minnesota
• Starred in two SDSU Commercials
• Saw RENT!
  
• Got a dog!
• Started a new job
  
• Graduated for real
• Visited Purdue
• Took the shitty subject GRE
• Applied to graduate schools
• Tried to organize my life (it semi-worked)
  
• Experienced a funeral and a wedding within three days of each other

What does 2007 hold?

• Graduate school?
• Government service?
• Brewing school?

As I fill out applications I'm starting to realize how scary the next few months will be. Most people can look at their lives and say, Hey, I'll be doing this a year from now. I, on the other hand, have no clue where I'll be or what I'll be doing.

I'll take strength in these words:

Life is an opportunity, benefit from it.
Life is beauty, admire it.
Life is bliss, taste it.
Life is a dream, realize it.
Life is a challenge, meet it.
Life is a duty, complete it.
Life is a game, play it.
Life is a promise, fulfill it.
Life is sorrow, overcome it.
Life is a song, sing it.
Life is a struggle, accept it.
Life is a tragedy, confront it.
Life is an adventure, dare it.
Life is luck, make it.
Life is too precious, do not destroy it.
Life is life, fight for it.

-Mother Teresa

Oh, and I have a New Year's resolution to go the entire month of January (sans-birthday) without drinking. So far so good.

Mmm

You know what goes with beer?

That's right, Kimchi (or Kimchee or Gimchi). It takes a little getting used to, but it gets you where you wanna go.

Heehee

How much do I hate my job?

A lot. Instead of working on my graduate school entrance essays, I've been at work since 2pm and won't get out of here until 8pm. Sure I'll have overtime money but I still won't have any completed essays.

This job sucks.

*EDIT*
This just in, I'm still not done with the stupid ISMP project. IT NEVER ENDS.

*EDIT*
Fuck it, I'm going home to have supper and work on my essay. This shitty project can wait. I need to get my priorities in order.

...go back to sleep...

"Hey Claus, what'd you do last night?"

"I slept. A lot."

"When did you go to bed?"

"Six...pm."

"Holy crap! When did you get up?"

"Seven-thirty...am."

"Wow."

Guess what I saw this morning...

Yep. A baldie. It was pecking at a carcass along side the road while I drove to work. It was pretty flipping sweet.

InstallShield

I hate fucking InstallShield Multi-fucking-Platform. Dammit. This could get very interesting (by interesting, I mean complex).

Raspberry Apple Cider

Here it is before transfer:
and in the hydrometer container:
and in the glass:


It's almost ready. It's in tertiary right now reducing it's rocket fuel flavor. It will need some calcium carbonate (to reduce acidity) and quite a bit of lactose (unfermentable sugar to sweeten). I'm still debating a vanilla bean or two.

Hoboween Savings Rodeo Weekend!

This weekend is going to be INSANE. Hedonisnm to the extreme. More later

Ow my foot (and some pretty pictures)

Yep, I had foot surgery yesterday to remove a ganglion cyst from the sole of my foot. No weight bearing (or showers!) until at least Monday, when I have my post-surgery checkup. I hope I get a handicap decal because last year's crutch experience really sucked the big one.

To calm you back down, enjoy some pretty pictures I took a few weekends ago at the Douglas Trail. They've been GIMP'd (or Photoshopped) to make them even better. Enjoy!

Best Beer...Ever

This beer cost me a trip to Wisconsin, a dog-puke-filled kennel, and eight bucks. It was worth it.

This cherry "stout" is aged in oak barrels to promote spontaneous fermentation. It is made with eight Wisconsin malts and Wisconsin Montgomery cherries.

The pour produced a brown-red head that quickly disappeared. Heavy chocolate and light cherry notes in the nose. The ruddy brown brew tastes of milk chocolate, lots of vanilla, and some bourbon. Finishes sour and dry. Leaves a coconut aftertaste. As beer warms, sourness accentuates to the front.

I'd classify this as a mix between a kriek and a brown porter. (Check the BJCP. This is a PDF.)

I MUST MAKE THIS BEER

Ew

Puppy farts are the worst.

Just sayin'.

Watch Ty Buy His Way Into Heaven

As I was watching the crock that is "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition," I wondered two things.

First, Why are the houses always so big? The families on EM:HE always have some sort of special need and one could reason that they probably have a tight family budget because of medical bills or other necessary expenses. Then you would think the families would have a difficult time paying for the increased heating/cooling/electrical costs and greatly increased property taxes resulting from their new and improved house. I guess Newsweek says it best.

Second, why do the producers always pick families? There are plenty of widow(ers)/singles/childless couples in America with tragedies that equal or surpass those shown on EM. It's like they're saying "Sorry you have cancer in every organ of your body ma'am, your husband was killed by an IED in Iraq, and you have not family left, but since you don't have kids... good luck with that cancer!"

*EDIT: Here's another site that discusses the increased tax impact on families.

Oh what fun

I found out today that I have a ganglion cyst in the sole of my right foot. I'm scheduled for surgery October 20 and it sounds like I'll have crutches for a few weeks. Could make Hobo Day quite interesting.

Consolation prize: no work the 20th or the 23rd. Doctor's orders. Sounds like the "Perfect Storm" of movies/DVDs. So what should I download?

And it doesn't hurt that I'll have Tylenol w/Codeine to ease the pain. :)

Autumn is Here Again

I love autumn. I'm really proud of the grapes and Tyson.

Oh No!

I GRADUATED!

As Always...

...there are pictures of Tyson in the Gallery.

Can I take a nap?

I survived the trip to Indy/Purdue...and I'm exhausted. Who knew sitting on your ass for hours and hours could take so much out of you.

On a positive note, I talked to a few schools and am thoroughly impressed by the University of Arizona in Tucson. They have a top astrophysics program that allows interdisciplinary research between the Physics, Astronomy, and Planetary Science Departments. So here is my new-and-improved school preference list:

1. University of Arizona
2. Purdue
3. University of Minnesota

I was not impressed by the UofM's presence at the conference. Maybe they were trying to recover from their loss to Purdue Saturday night. The guy at the info told me, in fewer words, to go online and look at the department webpage. Thanks, I could have done that at home. I pressed for more information, getting nowhere each time.

I didn't realize how many more steps I have to take before I apply to schools. Sure I have to take the GRE in November, but I should start applying for fellowships. I learned that simply applying for fellowships greatly increases your chance of acceptance.

Hooray, more applications.

Then you have to contact professors in your potential area of interest so they will champion for you when your application comes across the graduate admission committee.

I wish I could pay someone to do this stuff for me....hmmm.

Leaving on a Jetplane

Headed to Purdue this weekend for the Big 10+ Graduate School Expo in West Lafayette, IN.

Things I'll be doing for the first time:

• Flying out of MSP (as a terminus)
• Flying to Indinapolis
• Staying in a Hilton suite (king-sized bed with a sitting room! Thank you discounts.)
• Renting a car

Tyson is staying with his kitty cousins Maria & Mittens in Woodbury while I'm away. This should prove interesting.

That Magical Season Has Returned

CURLING!

That's right kiddies, curling season has returned to the great state of Minnesota. Xmas and I are entering the 2+2 Fall Bonspiel with my aunt and uncle on October 7 at the St. Paul Curling Club. It should prove to be a great time and hopefully we'll improve upon last year's record of 1-1 (granted we only had three team members last year). Maybe some people from B-town would like to come, too?

In other curling-related news I think I'll join the Dakota Curling Club for their "Singles Fun League" starting in December. There's also an Instructional League starting in April which would be fun, too *cough* Theresa *cough*.

Oops, I guess I caught her cold.

Hehehe

Aww

As you can see, his ears are FINALLY starting to flop back to normal. The other one should come around by the end of the week. Here's hoping.

Updates

So it's been a while since my last post so here's what's been going on:

Dorn moved back to the ATL (get'em up, get'em up, get'em up!) and I have a townhouse all to myself. It rocks your socks off. I'll prolly look for a roommate come November for the spring/summer 2007 to pick up the slack.

Tyson dogger is doing well. He's been working on his tricks: sit, lay down, shake, scoot, stand, up, ring the bell, and jump. What a smart doggy!

My online radio station is back up at claussen dyndns org 8000. I'm going to add a song request feature in the near future, but in the mean time send me an IM or email and I'll add it/play it and let you know when it will play.

Oh...did I mention I'm going to RENT this weekend! WHOOO!

Sleepy Time!

The Boys

Meet Tyson!

Here he is, all tuckered out after a long night of driving, meeting Brodie (the other Jack Russell Terrier), getting his claws trimmed, and trying to potty.
Isn't he amazing!?

There are those puppy blues!

Tyson is 7 weeks old and was born May 22, 2006. We're heading to Brookings, SD tomorrow so be on the lookout for a cute dogger!

*MORE PICS*He just crawled under my pillow to sleep. That's not gonna last long...

Lots of updates

Ok, so here's what we have going on: sat around for a few weeks, planted some Sweet Basil, Lemon Balm, Thyme, Rosemary, and Oregano, I've been in two commercials for SDSU's new advertising campaign (look for them this fall!), started work at IBM, and been to Quinn's bachelor party. I'll add more to this post tomorrow, but let me get to the point.

So I think I'm going to get a dog this weekend...this dog if I can.

His name is Tyson, a Westie and should be well suited to the apartment life he'll have for a few years. If things go well, I could have him sometime Sunday afternoon (with help from Jess).

So I filled out my adoption application this afternoon at work wih the hopes of adopting Tyson this weekend. Hopes were running high until about 8pm. Dorn asked for Tyson's link on petfinder.com and discovered Tyson was marked as adopted. A few minutes later I recieved an email saying Tyson was indeed adopted. So much for a westie.

Anyway, I'm going to call a family in Spring Valley, MN to inquire about some Jack Russell Terriers, like what my roomate has. I'll keep the poll open, but will add more if/when I get a dogger.

So my question is: What should I name him? See the sidebar to vote.

Multimedia message

Fuck you Dorn... Fuck you

Damn it Dorn...it was sleep paralysis... not fucking alien abduction. It fits perfectly with the sleep paralysis.

Edit
This fits perfectly... to the T.

I'm back... And it's starting to suck

Well, I've survived Korea without catching the Bird Flu or SARS or Gonorrhea. I did get hella hungover one day, but that's another story (ask me about it sometime).

The great migration from B-town to PI nearly complete. I'm heading back to B-town tomorrow morning to get the last load of stuff and clean my room. There is, however, a small wrinkle in these plans. I talked with my department head today and he told me I'm missing three credits.

For a regular student this isn't a big deal, but I've moved a state away from my school, will start work soon, and am graduating in August. Tell me when this starts making sense. How am I going to make this work?

Speaking of work, I talked to my manager today to ask when my start date will be. His response: "Enjoy your summer break before you start."

I asked: "Can you give me a rough estimate of a start date?"

"Roughly... two weeks. Roughly."

Gar. We've been discussing this job for almost three months and it still hasn't gone through the bureaucracy. Looks like I'll be puppy sitting and unpacking for a while.

Top of the World!

 

More Korea Pics

Bottles of Soju we drank at supper (sweet potato "vodka")

The DMZ
Gungdong or Bartown in Daejeon
Climbing Mt. Sorak

 

Some Pics from Korea

Here I'm dressed in traditional clothing for a student who has taken a national exam and received first place in the country.

This is a small piece of dried fish that you eat like jerky. It's a little bit bigger than the size of your thumb.

This is the Ginseng Man. He is in Geunsam where the 2006 World Ginseng Expo will be held this fall.

This is what one of our tables looked like after we had lunch. One main dish (beef in this case) and lots of side dishes. Delicious.

 

Congrats to Chris & Melissa!

Now that graduation is over, this coming weekend brings Chris & Melissa's wedding. They've waited 6+ years for this day to come and it's finally here.

Cross your fingers that everything will go well...the weather will be beautiful, the photographer gets to the church on time, the flowers aren't dead on delivery, the DJ has (or hasn't) remembered the "Chicken Dance," and anything else that could go wrong doesn't.

Here's hoping they have a wonderful and magical day they'll remember for the rest of their lives.

Congratulations!

Gradiation

Whelp, today was Graduation Day here in sunny Brookings, South Dakota. It'll be bittersweet, but I am most definetly ready for a permanent change. It's been fun, but I don't want to be here anymore. Get me out of here.

The first highlight of what lies ahead is South Korea. Yep, South Korea. I'll be there for ten days experiencing all that the Far East has to offer (in the southern half of the Korean peninsula).

After that, I'm leaving B-town for good and moving to Pine Island. A nicer place awaits me there. I'll be there for 15 months working at IBM in Rochester until I countinue my journey to graduate school in 2007.

It's kind of like "Bigger and Better", but for the real world. Go ahead world, bring it on.

Everybody's a Comedian...

Except when they're not. Did you ever know someone who thought they were funny, when in reality the closest they'll ever get to being funny is slipping on the ice and falling down? Stupid jokes that are retold over and over again. Jokes that aren't even close to being funny.

Discuss.

Sping Bake

Spring Break Quotes ‘06

It smells like Auschwitz in here. ~Kris

I should take Collin,. . .he’s fat. Fat kids love twine ~Jess

Get ROWDY!!! Hey. . .hey. . . . . .NO!!! Don’t!!!!! Those are folded!!!!! ~Kris

You just got hit in the head with a slimy banana peel. . .UGH!! ~Claus

What’s the word? THUNDERBIRD!! ~Claus and Kris

It’s Spring BAKE!! ~Kris

We’re segregated. SHHHH!!!! They’re black! ~Suzy and Bobbie

Jess has hairy nipples!! ~Bobbie

Phones have phone sex. . .how do you think we get other phones? ~Unknown

What if I have to go to the hopsicle? ~Jess

Jess’ hairy tassels ~ Bobbie

I haven’t pukes in, like, 10 minutes! ~ Jess

I haven’t been this drunk in TWO DAYS! ~unknown

I’ve peed on that couch when I was little. Thank about that! ~Claus

I have a snuggy like you wouldn’t believe ~unknown

Fwasted! ~Unknown

Erected cock ~Unknown

Eat poop and rye? ~Jess

What’s the opposite of Kris P.? Soggy ~Bobbie

My mom is stacked.~ Suzy

Tell him about the Kripy Hook! ~Bobbie

Who loves the cock? Soggy loves the cock! ~unknown

Butt biscuits ~Claus

Commence mounting ~unknown

Hey, Jess. . .it’s past 11:00 we can go to the liquor store!

*groan*

But, it’s Spring Bake!!!

FUCK SPRING BAKE!! ~ Suzy and Jess

Get in the fucking shower, you God damn APE! ~Claus

I am X-Mas!

My arms are flexy

The girls thinks I’m SEXY!! ~ X-Mas

I want to be able to use my spork!

*crack*

I broke my spork. . . ~Jess

Words that start with “IM”

Embarrass! ~Kris

Oh. . .my Jucy’s already erupted. . .  ~Claus

Fuck you! ~everyone

X-MASSSSSSSSSSS!!!!! KRISPYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY!!!! ~X-Mas and Kris

Do you know what an Eiffel tower is?? Huh??? Do ya??? ~Kris

She had on a black thong. . .

Um, Claus, it was red. .

No, it was black. . .

No, sweetie, it was red. . .

IT WAS BLACK!!

Okay! ~Claus, Jess, and Suzy

Here, have some stripper make-up. . .oh, and you too ~Claus

We're allowed back to the NORMANDY INN!!!!~ Claus

This had better be one fucking spectacular ball of twine. . . ~Kris

Oh!! The ape is horny!!!

Ace?

NO!!! aPe!!!! ~Kris and Jess

Claussen’s taking us to the zoo tomorrow, zoo tomorrow, zoo tomorrow. Claussen’s taking us to the zoo tomorrow. We can stay til 4!! ~ Jess and Suzy

I think I peed a little. . .

I’m sleeping on that bed!!! ~Bobbie and Claus

Mommy. . .I think they’re breeding ~Kid at the zoo

Housekeeping!!!

No, we just want towels. .

No, I clean your room. . . It free!!

TOWELS!! ~Housekeeping and Claus

Hello?

Um, hi.

Are you looking for a cell phone?

Yeah.

Yeah, well, I have it. But, I think the better question is: Where and who am I? ~Theresa and front desk guy.

By the way, nice picture. . . ~Front desk guy

Oh no!! It’s hailing on your fort!!!

OW!! MY EYE!!!! ~Claus and Jess

First of all: Fuck you! Second of all: No. . . ~Suzy

I think we’re lost. . .

We are not fucking lost!

Kris is probably wondering what the Hell we are doing. . .

We are not lost! Just get the directions!

Don’t turn there!! That’s wrong!!!

Well, what do you expect me to do?!? I’m already in the fucking turn lane!!

Kris is probably wondering what the Hell we are doing. . .

Oh. . .look. It’s our hotel!!

How the Hell. . . .?

HIZZAH!!!! ~Jess, Claus, and Suzy

Those are fake. . .

Yup. . .

But, I like her dress.

Yeah, it’s really pretty ~Suzy and Jess

How many pints of blood are you?

Wow, that’s bloody ~Suzy and Jess

Frat boys!! FUCK YEAH!! ~Everyone

It’s official. . . Spring Bake kicked my ass! ~Jess and Suzy

Hello? Yeah, I was wondering if you delivered to the Normandy Inn? Out of your range? Okay, I’ll call that number, thank you. Yeah, hi. I was wondering if you delivered to the Normandy Inn? Out of range? Okay, I’ll call that number, thank you. Hi, I was wondering if you delivered to the Normandy Inn? Call this number? Okay. Um, guys, they’ve already given me that number. Fuck it, let’s call Dominoes. ~Kris

And I was like. . .oh gross! Someone wiped their shit on the bathmat!!! But, then I realized that it my own vomit. . . ~Jess

Hmm...

What do you guys I should do during my year off?

Claus

Case Day: Beer 24

Approximate BAC: .???
Weight: 174.5 lbs
Pizzas eaten: One
Red Bulls Drank: One
Trips to Walmart: 1
Movies "watched": 7
Trips to SuFu: 1
Beers Bonged: 3

How did I lose weight doing this?

Drunk at 4 in the afternoon. I've been drinking since 10:24. On a sunday. I'm going to hell


Sweet.

Case Day: Beer 12

Approximate BAC: .???
Weight: 176.5 lbs
Pizzas eaten: One
Red Bulls Drank: One
Trips to Walmart: 1
Movies "watched": 2.5
Trips to SuFu: 1

Case Day: Beer 9

Approximate BAC: .09
Weight: 177.0 lbs (before peeing, 175 after)
Pizzas eaten: One
Red Bulls Drank: One
Trips to Walmart: 1
Movies "watched": 1.75
Trips to Sioux Falls: 1

Case Day: Beer 6.5

Went to Sioux Falls to Cold Stone Creamery

Case Day: Beer 6

Approximate BAC: .076
Weight: 177.0 lbs
Pizzas eaten: 1
Red Bulls Drank: None
Trips to Walmart: 1
Movies "watched": 1.5

Case Day: Beer 3.5 -> If your cat is in heat

• Grab wailing, squirming cat and place it on your lap with its hind quarters readily accessible. Chances are the cat will freely offer them, if not the first time this procedure is followed, then certainly each time afterward.
• Insert the Q-tip into the cat's vagina. It will be exposed and puffy. Do not insert the Q-tip into the other orifice. Either way the cat will begin to scream, but there is a subtle and audible difference in the scream of satisfaction and the scream of rectal pain. Experiment a little until you can distinguish the two.
• Move the Q-tip in and out of the cat's vagina slowly at first, then more rapidly. No need to be gentle, no matter what you do with the Q-tip it beats a barbed cat penis digging around in there.
• You are finished when the cat is finished. You will know when the cat is finished because it will either begin immediately to have a cat orgasm, or it will run away with the Q-tip sticking out of its ass. If this happens let it enjoy itself for a few minutes before attempting to retrieve your Q-tip.
• That is it, you are done. Enjoy the peace and quiet until the cat flares up again.
  
  What to look for: The cat orgasm that follows this procedure is something the likes of which I have never seen elsewhere. It is a wriggling, leaping, moaning dance of ecstasy that defies any experience of pleasure my mind can even begin to grasp. If humans had orgasms with the intensity of a cat serviced in this way there would be no such thing as war, hunger, capitalism or God.
  
  Background: A cat in heat is, with few exceptions, one of the most irritating things to have living in your home. A cat in heat will follow you around and howl at you in a bone chilling, hideous wail until you are ready just to toss it outside and let it get pounded by the local tom's. After a few days of this torture having to drown a few kittens sounds relaxing. This cat-saving technique was first demonstrated to me by a terminally un-squeemish roomate of years past.

  
  

Case Day: Beer 3

Approximate BAC: .035
Weight: 175.0 lbs
Pizzas eaten: None
Red Bulls Drank: None
Trips to Walmart: 1
Movies "watched": 1

Chicken Fucker

If you see this guy on campus (he lives in The Annex, Room 120). Make sure you call him a "[poultry type]-fucker" and kick him in the junk.

Also, if you know me and the story behind this assclown, make sure you kick him again when he's down.

This fool is also in Facebook, address jrbuchanan@jacks.sdstate.edu

Have fun!

Pictures

I know some of you want me to post the link to my picture server so here you go:

claussen dot dyndns dot org

There you go. Have a good time and leave lots of comments. If you're a friend, feel free to join up and post your own pictures, too!

claus