Though I know I'll never lose affection
For people and things that went before
I know I'll often stop and think about them
26 Facts:
1. A chrysalis is a pupa of a moth or butterfly enclosed in a cocoon.
2. Most people fear change. Some embrace it.
3. Spiders lay eggs under cover of darkness.
4. People do not like to be confronted with their shortcomings. (Subtitled: Constructive criticism is still criticism. No matter how it is phrased, people usually react poorly.)
5. Plants account for 80-90% of the grizzly bear's diet. The rest is primarily from insects and big game carcasses that did not survive the winter. They rarely hunt or fish, unless it is easy to catch.
6. My heart goes out to my former colleagues in the school district where I served as a board member for five years. A funding referendum was soundly defeated yesterday. The administrators I worked with are some of the most talented and dedicated people I have had the pleasure of knowing. Their job will be very difficult over the next few years.
7. The highest peak in Montana is Granite Peak, located in the Beartooths, at 12,799 feet. Lone Mountain, a/k/a Big Sky is the 46th tallest peak in Montana, at 11,166 feet.
8. Since we moved in June, I have had regular telephone contact with only two friends. Neither one of them live in Wisconsin.
9. Bozeman is surrounded by five mountain ranges: the Bridgers, the Gallatin Range, the Tobacco Root Range, the Madison Range, the Absaroka Range. The Spanish Peaks, the Beartooth Range and the Crazy Mountains are also nearby.
10. My television viewing habits have changed drastically over the last six months. I no longer watch any regularly programmed television. I catch the Daily Show every couple of weeks, and I watch some CNBC. My sports viewing has also drastically declined. I have watched only one NFL game (Green Bay's loss on Monday night), and I watched a total of 5 innings of MLB playoffs. My movie viewing, by contrast, has increased tenfold.
11. The three major rivers in this region- the Yellowstone, the Gallatin and the Madison- all flow North. That seems weird to me.
12. My exodus from the world of law has been far more complete than I imagined. I have only answered 3 or 4 questions from friends since I resigned. My old firm has asked nothing of me.
13. The extent of the 1988 Yellowstone fires is staggering. 793,000 acres burned within the park, and 1.3 million acres total. 36% of the park burned. For perspective, you can drive for forty straight miles through fire damage without a break. It is ugly, but healthy for the forest.
14. I listen to more music than I did 6 months ago. I also enjoy NPR.
15. Since June 12, I have run nearly 580 miles. All on the same pair of shoes.
16. Since June 12, I have gone on 24 hikes. Not a single one was less than "great." Most were "sublime."
17. I have kept an exercise calendar since 2001. That is how I know #15 and #16.
18. I am going to get myself some fly-fishing gear for Christmas and buy a year license in the spring. This will be a new hobby for me. The last new hobby I tried was disc golf, but, surprisingly, there are no courses here. (Oh, I forgot... this blog thing may qualify as a new hobby. Not sure how long this will last, but it has been fun so far.) India has taken up knitting as her new hobby.
19. We bought an annual National Park pass in July, and we have used it four times.
20. My wife is also my best friend. That is my favorite fact on this list.
21. A giraffe's tongue is 18-20 inches long. This is my second favorite fact on this list.
22. For eight years, we have steadfastly maintained that we are not having children. Despite this, people still seem convinced that: (a) We will change our minds; and/or (b) We're making a big mistake. They also inevitably say, by way of argument, "Oh, but you'd make such good parents."
23. I drink more coffee and far less alcohol (read: none) than I used to.
24. I miss the bluffs of the Mississippi, particularly at Trempealeau, which was "our spot" in Wisconsin.
25. We only had about 6 trick or treaters, but we had enough candy for 50. I am almost done with it, much to my disgust. One comment: Butterfinger Crisp candy bars absolutely rule.
26. P. writes the best emails of anyone I know.
1. A chrysalis is a pupa of a moth or butterfly enclosed in a cocoon.
2. Most people fear change. Some embrace it.
3. Spiders lay eggs under cover of darkness.
4. People do not like to be confronted with their shortcomings. (Subtitled: Constructive criticism is still criticism. No matter how it is phrased, people usually react poorly.)
5. Plants account for 80-90% of the grizzly bear's diet. The rest is primarily from insects and big game carcasses that did not survive the winter. They rarely hunt or fish, unless it is easy to catch.
6. My heart goes out to my former colleagues in the school district where I served as a board member for five years. A funding referendum was soundly defeated yesterday. The administrators I worked with are some of the most talented and dedicated people I have had the pleasure of knowing. Their job will be very difficult over the next few years.
7. The highest peak in Montana is Granite Peak, located in the Beartooths, at 12,799 feet. Lone Mountain, a/k/a Big Sky is the 46th tallest peak in Montana, at 11,166 feet.
8. Since we moved in June, I have had regular telephone contact with only two friends. Neither one of them live in Wisconsin.
9. Bozeman is surrounded by five mountain ranges: the Bridgers, the Gallatin Range, the Tobacco Root Range, the Madison Range, the Absaroka Range. The Spanish Peaks, the Beartooth Range and the Crazy Mountains are also nearby.
10. My television viewing habits have changed drastically over the last six months. I no longer watch any regularly programmed television. I catch the Daily Show every couple of weeks, and I watch some CNBC. My sports viewing has also drastically declined. I have watched only one NFL game (Green Bay's loss on Monday night), and I watched a total of 5 innings of MLB playoffs. My movie viewing, by contrast, has increased tenfold.
11. The three major rivers in this region- the Yellowstone, the Gallatin and the Madison- all flow North. That seems weird to me.
12. My exodus from the world of law has been far more complete than I imagined. I have only answered 3 or 4 questions from friends since I resigned. My old firm has asked nothing of me.
13. The extent of the 1988 Yellowstone fires is staggering. 793,000 acres burned within the park, and 1.3 million acres total. 36% of the park burned. For perspective, you can drive for forty straight miles through fire damage without a break. It is ugly, but healthy for the forest.
14. I listen to more music than I did 6 months ago. I also enjoy NPR.
15. Since June 12, I have run nearly 580 miles. All on the same pair of shoes.
16. Since June 12, I have gone on 24 hikes. Not a single one was less than "great." Most were "sublime."
17. I have kept an exercise calendar since 2001. That is how I know #15 and #16.
18. I am going to get myself some fly-fishing gear for Christmas and buy a year license in the spring. This will be a new hobby for me. The last new hobby I tried was disc golf, but, surprisingly, there are no courses here. (Oh, I forgot... this blog thing may qualify as a new hobby. Not sure how long this will last, but it has been fun so far.) India has taken up knitting as her new hobby.
19. We bought an annual National Park pass in July, and we have used it four times.
20. My wife is also my best friend. That is my favorite fact on this list.
21. A giraffe's tongue is 18-20 inches long. This is my second favorite fact on this list.
22. For eight years, we have steadfastly maintained that we are not having children. Despite this, people still seem convinced that: (a) We will change our minds; and/or (b) We're making a big mistake. They also inevitably say, by way of argument, "Oh, but you'd make such good parents."
23. I drink more coffee and far less alcohol (read: none) than I used to.
24. I miss the bluffs of the Mississippi, particularly at Trempealeau, which was "our spot" in Wisconsin.
25. We only had about 6 trick or treaters, but we had enough candy for 50. I am almost done with it, much to my disgust. One comment: Butterfinger Crisp candy bars absolutely rule.
26. P. writes the best emails of anyone I know.
posted by Joe at
11:47 AM
4 Comments:
Interesting, all of them.
8. Surprising.
12. Why am I not surprised? Though I have suggested a certain newbie contact you.
20. Completely awesome.
25. They fucking rule.
26. *blush* Gracias.
I voted & am sad the ref was defeated. People thought only as far as their pocketbooks.
4. Rings true to me.
8. I would be upset, it seems surprising to me.
12. Are you a bit disappointed, or relieved?
#8 is surprising... that is why I included it. I am not casting aspersions, as phone line run both ways. Also, oddly, I have had three different friends say (in so many words) that they were angry with me for moving. Perhaps that is a subject for another post.
#12- I am happy about that, but it was unexpected. I assumed that I would be assisting quite a bit on my old files. I am sure, however, that pride played a role, and that they were probably also less than pleased that I left.
Keep up the good posts.
Not sure why the referendum thing surprises you. All around the state here school $$$$ is being cut and slashed.
If you give me you phone number Antwon Randall El and I will call you from our next Lunch Meeting.
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