Thank god that month is over. In short, my mind may explode shortly. I’m uber busy; on top of classload, and reserach, and running the student talks, and planning for Italy, I did something a little foolish: I decided to run the Spring Break field trip.

Yup, I’m going back to Death Valley for the 3rd year in a row. Plus, we are going through Owens Valley. Here’s a short list of places we’re gonna go:

Shoshone and Tecopa Hot Springs
Ubehebe crater
Goler Wash (great Snowball Earth deposits)
Mesquite Dunes
Trona Pinnacles
Ridgecrest, CA (my home town)
Fossil Falls
Inyo Crater
Owens River Gorge
Obsidian Dome
Mono Lake

So, all I have to do is plan the route, order the vans, make/copy/distribute the field guide, and be in charge on the trip. Sure, I’ve got all the time in the world. All I know is there will certainly be some attractive females on the trip, and that keeps me motivated. Giggitty Giggitty Gig-git-ty.

If anyone is interested in attending, you can meet us out there. The trip is March 13th through March 17th.

Matt’s Stick Death

Sorry I don’t have more to say, but I had to post this. Ouch.

Lately I’ve been getting ready to do some crushing and min seps. I had to clean the whole crushing room because no one takes care of it. That was not easy. I also have had some interesting exchanges w/ my advisor. Here they are as best I can remember them (I forgot to take my brain medicine):

2/22
MA(me): So, the crushing room is ready to go?
CJ(my advisor): Yes, hopefully you will have all the samples processed in a few weeks.
MA: I hope so. But, you know, this is a very busy time in my class schedule right now…
CJ: Remember, research is priority number 1!
(pause)
CJ: …within reason.

2/10
MA: So, do you know about any new students you’ll be getting for next year?
CJ: (aggressively)Why, you want to know about field assistants?
MA: Well, yeah… (enthusiastically)but I really just want to know who’s joining our team!
CJ: I’m not on the selection committee, and I’m really not at liberty to divulge such information.

Can’t you feel the love?

By the way, if anyone is interested in joining my Yahoo! Fantasy Baseball League, just click here and type in “81639″ for the ID and “sylmar” for the password. It’s a 6×6 rotisserie league (w/ OPS and HLD added). If you’ve never done fantasy sports before, it’s a fun and easy way to get into a season!

Matt’s Stick Death

Let them eat cake, I always say. Oh, and beat $c.

P.S. I just ordered Split Lip Rayfield’s first two albums from their new online store. This band is so awesome. They have four members: guitar, mandilin, banjo, and one-stringed home-made bass (made out of a gas tank). If you have any affinity towards bluegrass or punk, you would love these guys! Even if you like neither, it is still all around good music. I would not be afraid to take my punk friends or my mother to see them live. They are in Iowa City tonight (2/23@Gabe’s Oasis, only $7)! Awesome live show and just 100% great music! If you or you go, you won’t regret it.

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It’s baaaaack…

Yup, I’m giving my *world famous* Mary handwriting talk on Friday. For those of you out of the know: I, along with countless other classmates, collected data on our prof to see why she used different styles of the letter “e” on the chalkboard. She uses both a blocky “E” and a curvy “epsilon”. We found a good correlation between several letters that proceded the “e” like H (mostly curvy), V, and C (mostly blocky).

Also, this week, I contacted a student of hers to ask him to collect more data. He agreed for a class he has next semester.

And now, it’s time for what you really want… No, not hard core nudity, it’s

Matt’s Stick Death

Just guess what the really deadly gas is… it’ll be fun!

P.S. You know, it wasen’t until I started imputing HTML code into my blog that I understood this explicit T-Shirt Hell T-Shirt.

This day makes me a sad, sad panda.

Not only did football officially end, but it’s a certain day. A day which for me, is not reminiscent of the commercially-driven, trite, and pathetic attempt at reviving millions of lost relationships and displaying general human kindness (which does far more to alienate and jade the masses that bring about love), but is much more reminiscent of the masacre which bares its name.

Whew. Let me catch my breath.

Well, in better news, I’ve been even more enthralled by the Ute BBall team and Andrew Bogut. His stat line tonight: 31 and 13. By the way, it was the 17th straight win for the #13 ranked Utes. Even more amazing was Saturday: career high 33 points, 16 reb (6 offensive), 5 blocks, 3 assists, 3 charges taken, and 1 foul in 39 (out of 40) minutes. Oh, and he fouled out 2 of there big men, including their star player.

Anyways, as you can tell, my friend Joe is a big CSU fan. He wore that getup in the MUSS (student section), and got laughed at and heckeled all night. It was pretty funny. And yes, those are REAL ram’s horns that he bought on ebay and screwed onto a gold and green motercycle helmet. Oh yeah, and we had a big party after the game at my place, which was fun. Not as fun as the party we had 3 weeks ago, but fun.

So, I have been feeling strange lately, so I wrote a couple of sonnets. These have been swishing around in my head for about a week. You’ll notice they are different in tone and subject than any I have ever written (if you care). In honor of this “special” day, here they are:

Sonnet 31
Matt Affolter
2-13-5

With all of my love, I want you tonight,
As we dare to chase world’s greatest pleasure,
Our union will be passionate, despite,
Its time, a little to short to measure.

It is not by any fault of your own,
But our two paths must diverge tomorrow,
Do not blame this on wild oats not sown,
My reluctance is based on what I know.

One night is great, a second can bring pain,
Because as the break of dawn approaches,
Our fervor falls and expectations gain,
My only hope is separate coaches.

Nothing in this life can beat a woman’s touch,
But nothing can hurt like a woman’s clutch.

Sonnet 32 – Thermal
Matt Affotler
2-13-5

I am nothing but fuel, waiting to burn,
A book of matches sitting in the sun,
Gasoline and kindling—of no consern,
My passion flares up before you’ve begun.

My fire rages all thoughout the night,
A blaze which could enlighten worlds from dark,
I search the land for someone to ignight,
To simply give to me the smallest spark.

Tough love for you could scorch past history,
With a flame to topple the tallest tree,
This heat can not be aleatory,
Because our combined smole I fail to see.

Even with your warming glow, I refrain,
The desire for fire will regain.

Oh, and in case you want a romantic one, here you go. Read it to you significant other or the person you are cheating on them with.

Sonnet 23
Matt Affolter 12-22-1

The time in which my mind is the most clear,
Is the moment when your lips press to mine.
When my mind is the most cluttered, my dear,
Is after its completion, so benign.

Your kisses float me to a distant cloud,
Sailing a continual see of bliss,
And at the time at which I am most proud,
I learn that your affections I will miss.

And now, the time in which we are apart,
My mind and soul see no pain and sorrow.
My focus is on the path to your heart
I will venture some distant tomorrow.

Although between us both lies the sunset,
A thought, and you’re as near as our lips met.

Now that’s over with, let’s get to the blood and gore:

Matt’s Stick Death

This just might be my favorite one. That outta chear anyone up!

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Well, as it coninues to be winter in the SLC, my thoughts continuously turn to future world travels. Not because I dislike the winter here, it’s awesome; the real reason is the planning is in full swing. I have been very busy with my two intercontinental trips.

This morning, I got an email from Minjin, the Mongolian prof who will help with my trip this summer to Mongolia to continue my thesis work. I don’t know why, but I am a big fan of broken English. In case you are too, here’s a sample from the email:

I think that we may to arrenge Matt;s and your field trip in South Mongolia and I or Sersmaa will attend in this trip in short time, and Monchuk plus one our theacher will be participate all time.

I have one question. For you and for Matt need or no need official Mongolia visa for research in field work or need for you onle tourist visa OK?

Oh, that’s great. Of course, I am not in a position to make fun. Bi oilgokhgüi bain Mongol, you know.

In other news, we are in full swing for GIAC: the Geologic Italian Adventure Consortium (named after Utah’s head bball coach). 12 of us are going into Italy this early summer. We are actively fundraising and planning right now. We stand to pay $500-$750 for 2+ weeks. Above are 9 of the twelve.

And now,
Matt’s Stick Death

In this instalment, the midterm is actually is doing the killing. I believe I got a 55 on that one (lower right corner).

P.S. I offically fucking HATE all music that plays on websites. Look, I’m playing my own music on my computer; I don’t need your music playing as well. The quickest way to get me from not looking at your site is by playing some music or video clip. I’ll stick to my own 695 artists and 2438 songs.

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You scored as Earth. Earth is the predominating element in your life. Earth rules the signs of Taurus, Virgo and Capricorn. Earth 80% Air 70% Water 55% Fire 30% Spirit 20% Which of the Five Elements are you? created with QuizFarm.com

No wonder I’m a geologist.

This is, perhaps, the saddest day in the saddest month of the year. Why? Because my true love, football, is gone. It is bitter sweet because my favorite player ever just got elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

That’s right, Dan the Man will be in Canton. This makes me very happy.

So, here in the SLC, we got our first snow storm in a while. Another few inches are due to fall before it’s over. That’s my car under the snow.

I’m not sure if I mentioned this before, but I recently had a crazy idea. I wanted a Jacob Staff this summer for the field, but I wanted to beable to pack it on a plane (i.e. collapseable). So I got the idea to email several pool cue companies and asking them if they would make a “very” custom cue, a Jacob Staff that would screw apart. Well, J. Pechauer responded and made me one. It’s 1.54 m (59″) long, 1 3/8″ thick in diameter, and screws apart in 3 pieces. It is maple and has the rubber endstops on both sides.

Here it is 3 pieces, all disconbobulated. It was pricey (a C-note), but I’ll be the envy of stratigraphers from Hartford to Back Bay! I decided to color it with all kinds of crazy designs. My questions for you all is: Should I leave it this way or do the traditional black/not black?

And now, from the person who brought you last week’s Stick Death, it’s this week’s
Stick Death

In honor of the Superbowl…

So, is anyone interested in my research? No? Well, check it out anyways:

http://www.mines.utah.edu/basins/Minjin/Su2005Proposal.htm

This is a webpage directed at our Mongolian counterparts on the project, for the purpose of planning this summer. Yeah, it’s crazy research. No, not crazy like Liz Taylor, crazy like the glue. It sticks to things.

And now, what you’ve all been waiting for:

Matt’s Stick Death

Can anyone figure out the motivation behind these killings? Go way back, to your childhood…

This past weekend is one of the grandest traditions of the UU G&G dept: The Wasatch Mountain Club. It’s not really a club, but a cabin above the world famous Brighton ski area.

Here’s the cabin. This is also what 118″ of base looks like.

This too (backpack for scale).

I got there late on Saturday (after watching my Bruins kill ‘sc). We had a great dinner with ample deserts, and indoor activities included poker,

Piano playing (I figured out how to play the main riff of Rachmaninoff’s Op. 3 no. 2 in C#m)

And general drunken craziness (not pictured: jenga).

One of the funnest outdoor activites was the sled run we built off the roof of the cabin. Here’s a pic in the daytime, though most of it happened…

…at night.

You can’t imagine how hard it is to take a picture of someone flying down a roof at night on a sled.

Of course, some things are harder. This was one of many spills. My roommates actually went down this on skis and a snowboard. Let’s just say that they got a little fucked up by that. They tried their best and failed miserably, the lesson is: never try. I followed that, I did not go down. My joy was found in being on the “grooming” crew.

On Sunday, while everyone else went skiing, I read some papers and walked around taking pictures. here are some on the best:

Overall, it was a fun time, though I think I hate the whole ski culture even more now. I am now officially never going to ski (unless a girl I like is going).

And now, it’s time for

Matt’s Stick Death

This is easily one of my all time favorites. If you have to die, death by music might be the way to go.

Well, we here at rooney’s Xanga site are always looking out for you, the reader. So today, we introduce 2 new series! So step right up, folks, and witness the magnificent medicinal miracle of rooney’s patented revitalizing features. [takes deep breath] Put some ardor in your larder with our energizing, moisturizing, tantalizing, romanticizing, surprising, her-prizing, revitalizing features!

First off, there is…

The Body Acoustic

What’s good, what’s new, what you need to hear in the world of music

Our album this time is Tiger Army’s III: Ghost Tigers Rise

Overview

This album, as the title says, is the third from Tiger Army. Led by Nick 13, former member of AFI, Tiger Army’s sound is best classified as Psycobilly, a genre popularized by bands like the Rev. Horton Heat and the Necromantix. Psycobilly is a combination of punk and rockabilly, with occasional country overtones. Psycobilly is also accustomed to a scary and dark thematic material, but is still distinct from goth. Usually, death is a central part of the music, but also mystical themes like darkness, religious figures, and holloweenish things are common.

Tiger Army is no exception, with songs entitled “Through the Darkness” and “Sea of Fire” on this album. This album is certainly a strong statement to Tiger Army’s sound, which in the past was somewhat wondering. It lacks some of the intensity of the past two albums, but still retains the distinctive nature of what is now Tiger Army’s sound.

Strengths
This album certainly is highlighted by it’s strong and creative rhythmic tone. Every song is unique and highly varied in the rhythm category, which created an interesting dynamic for the listener as they try to track the interplay between the bass and drums. Despite the drastic changes rhythmically, the album maintains a strong base, with a constant unifying ambiance. Musically, the skills of the band have certainly progressed from the last album, which has lead to a less harsh and more palatable feel.

Weaknesses
This album certainly is not the genre-bending effort that II:The Power of Moonlight is, which somewhat a disappointment. Lyrically, it is certainly a step backward, especially with the lack of classical poetic references that have been used in the past. Long time fans will be disappointed in the lack of emotional/hard/fast songs that was a calling card of the band.

Grade
B

I can’t say that this is the best Tiger Army album, that distinction may still belong to II:The Power of Moonlight, but it is the album that I would recommend to a first time listener. By sacrificing some of the melodic and timbre variation that made the second great, Tiger Army has infused this album with an overall mood that may make the album as a whole the most listenable and cohesive work yet.

Every so often, I will review album that I enjoy and let you know my expert opinion. If there is an album you want reviewed (especially one I own), I’ll be happy to oblige.

Feature #2 is…

Matt’s Stick Death

Inspired by pezzam’s recent entry, I decided to post and display some of my greatest stick figure death scenes I ever drew in my notes during class. This is mainly from Chem 20B, which I hated. The only way I could manage to survive that class is by drawing my prof (Dr. Harakas) killing me over and over.

Here is a classic. Like the good ol’ days.

Here’s a more modern rendition. Bazooka to the face, that’s gotta hurt. Not half as much as chem, though.

So, there’s the new series to the site. Tell me what you think!

By the way, I can’t get in trouble from drawing people killing me, can I?

Wow. I think that I act older than that.

So, I’m really getting into Ute basketball. They are good, mainly Andrew Bogut. On Saturday: 11-14 for 26 pts (including 18 of the first 19), 20 rbs, 3 blks, 2 charges taken, and 2 defences on consecuative out-of-bounds plays. On Monday, he had 11-12 for 25 pts, 3 asst (including one behind the back over the head for an amazing alley-oop reverse dunk to Byant Markson), 9 rbs, 1 blk. Oh, and the team shot a school record 80% (24-30) from the field. We are finally ranked, and it is well deserved.

Halftime of Saturday’s game, the football team came out to a standing ovation. I’ve never seen no-one leave their seats for halftime. It was crazy. Not like Elizabeth Taylor, but like the glue. I just hope the Football team can be respectable next year. Luckily, I did not need to leave my seat, because I caught a an ice cream that was thrown into the stands.

I do like Utah’s Huntsman Center (it’s no Pauly), but I do think it is strange to have a UFO over center court.

Fernando just told me how much he is loving Split Lip. They are awesome. If you can get over the bluegrass twang, I highly recomend checking them out.