College Happenings

This weekend my perfect man and I went to Wyoming.

My man and my little brother and a bunch of friends went out to some land in the country and went shooting. My man said it was fun and scary. Most of the guys were drinking and that made it a bit scary. I wasn’t suprised by the mix. Maybe it is just a Wyoming thing, I am not sure.

The only thing that freaked me out was when my little brother said, “Hopefully no one will pull a Dick Cheney.”

When was air conditioning invented?

It must have been after most of the buildings at the University of Montana were built.

Holy crap do the classrooms get hot! The LA building is the worst and I have two classes in it. One at 9:30 am and one at 1:30. Wouldn’t you think it would be ok in the morning? It isn’t. Today the lawn mowers were out so my teacher shut the window! I had to open it as soon as the lawn mowers were away from the building.

Why is a hot class room such a big deal you may ask? Well, I am a puker. When I get to hot, I throw up. Glamorous I know.

It is true though. My first year in the Journalism program I got sick in my editing class, it was too hot.

No one wanted to sit by me after that.

I am not alone as a puker. My sister-in-law also pukes when she gets too hot. One time she and my brother took the tram in Aspen to the top of the mountain. I think that is where it was, it may have been some caves somewhere around there. Anyway, She got to hot and threw up in her very nice coat. My brother made her ditch the coat out of fear that the smell might make them both sick.

Consider yourself lucky if the heat doesn’t bother you.

Untill two days ago I had never experienced summer school. I always thought it would be like a horrible punishment. It isn’t too bad after all.

There is ample parking on campus, a great plus and very few people at school.

I have three classes. They are two hours each and run back to back. It makes for a long day, but it only lasts five weeks and we have Fridays off. One of my classes requires a lot of reading, but the class discussion is pretty good.

Actually the class discussion has so far consisted of me and one other girl answering the teachers questions. The other four people in the class must be intimidated by my obviously huge intellect. (just kidding)

Tomorrow I go back to school. I had a wonderful week off. Well, it wasn’t much of a week off. I worked pretty much every day. But I didn’t really have to employ my brain much.

I had to use some patience at work, but not much brain power.

The weather this past week was wonderful. It was 80+ degrees most of the week. The only bad thing about that is that it melted the snow pack and now the rivers are all about to come over thier banks.

Being from Wyoming and having one little creek run through town doesn’t prepare you for the awesome power of a raging river.

Everyday I go down to the river and just look. I am amazed everytime I see that muddy water eating away at the banks and pulling down trees. It really is impressive.

From the Ravalli Republic

A district court judge ruled Tuesday that the public has no legal access to Mitchell Slough.

The long-awaited ruling, handed down by Powell County District Judge Ted Mizner, concluded that “the Mitchell Slough is no longer a natural water bodyâ€? and therefore not open to recreational use by the public under Montana’s Stream Access Law.

The case pitted the Bitterroot River Protection Association and Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks - both of which believe the Mitchell is a natural water body and therefore subject to public access - against the Bitterroot Conservation District and a number of landowners along the slough - all of whom believe the waterway is diverted water running through private property.

The trial took place in Hamilton in July 2005 and featured a week’s worth of testimony on both sides. Afterward, Mizner reviewed volumes of documentary and testimonial evidence, along with legal briefs, proposed findings and conclusions.

The judge hinted at this week’s ruling in January when he affirmed a 2003 Bitterroot Conservation District ruling that said the slough isn’t a natural or perennial stream for permitting purposes.

Filed Wednesday, Mizner’s 10-page opinion concluded “by a clear preponderance of the evidence, under the unique facts of this case, that the Mitchell Slough is no longer a natural water body.â€?

“Perhaps as early as 130 years ago the Mitchell Slough may well have been considered a natural water body under the Stream Access Law,� the opinion reads. “However, it cannot be seriously disputed that through natural processes the Bitterroot River has migrated to the west and its bed is substantially lower than the bed of the Mitchell Slough.

The ruling also cited “clear and convincing evidence that if man had not manipulated the waters of the Bitterroot River with the Tucker Headgate and other diversions and also excavated the channel of the Mitchell Slough, the Mitchell would no longer flow and it would most likely be a series of ancient, paleo channels connected by man.�

Mizner’s opinion also commented on testimony at the trial of the Mitchell’s “vibrant fishery.â€?

“Clearly there is a healthy, breeding fish population in the Mitchell …,â€? the judge stated. “However, … prior to the (artificial) stream renovation work done by the [landowners] the fish populations were not doing nearly as well as they are today.â€?

Ken Siebel, who purchased property along the Mitchell in the mid-1970s, was predictably pleased with the ruling, saying it affirmed what he and his neighbors had been saying all along.

“It’s about privacy and the resource,â€? he said. “The resource has been the beneficiary. The landowners have improved the resource and improved the fishery, and I think they should be applauded.â€?

But while Siebel is happy about the decision that he said protects his private property rights, he doesn’t believe the fight is over.

“I think the science and facts are clear,â€? he said, “but I suspect we haven’t seen the last of the BRPA and FWP on this issue.â€?

Ira Holt, chairman of the BRPA, said he had not yet seen read the judge’s opinion, but he was disappointed with the ruling.

“I feel extremely disappointed,â€? he said. “I can’t say what we’ll do, not having seen the decision or talked to our attorney.â€?

Holt plans to meet soon with BRPA’s attorney to see if there are reasons to appeal. Regardless, he said, the issue of public access on the slough is far from over.

“Even if BRPA would fold up tomorrow licking our wounds, I don’t think this will be the end of it,â€? he said. “I’m 75, an at the rate it’s going, I don’t think it’ll be over in my lifetime.â€?

Bob Lane, chief legal counsel for FWP, also had not seen the decision Wednesday. But he guessed the plaintiffs in the case probably would appeal.

“We all thought we would appeal if the ruling went against us, but I really can’t say now,â€? Lane said. “I need to first read the ruling and then brief my client. I would assume our department head would meet with the governor on this, so I’m sure it will be some time before we decide on how to go forward.â€?

For Siebel, the irony of the Mitchell controversy is that it arose from good, sound conservation work.

“The sad thing is if we hadn’t have fixed up the Mitchell, this whole thing would have never happened,â€? he said. “When we bought our property in the mid-70s, you couldn’t fish it. It was only when we improved the resource that access even became an issue.â€?

My thoughts on this are…wouldn’t it be nice if we were all well off and could buy some property with a chunk of the river on it and then say, this is mine, you can’t use it. I cleaned it up and that’s that. Maybe Huey and George could get together and privatize everything.

Public lands…who needs em?

Well, for a week at least.

I turned in my final two papers today. They were for History. I think I did pretty good one one and not so much on the either.

Usually something like that would kill me. But right now I care more about just being done. This was definately not my favorite semester. In fact I think it was my least favorite of all semesters.

I am looking forward to summer classes though. That is nuts. Isn’t it?

I think I am just excited because I only have 10 more weeks of school…ever. I will be completely done. Unless I decide I want to get my masters.

My summer classes will be good I think. They look interesting.

For now, for a week, I can take a break.

I love this!

I just discovered a great new blog. I was visiting Dragon Girl. A wonderful little Aussie chick’s blog. She has a list of good blogs. I clicked on the girl who and was immediatly intrigued.

This is what her about page says.

I am The Girl Who grew up in the Mormon capital of the world, Provo Utah. I am The Girl Who managed to save my sanity from the yawning maws of saintly suburbia by voraciously reading any book I could get my hands on. Whether stolen from the school library or filched from friends’ bookshelves, I hungrily read them all.

I am The Girl Who escaped my Mormon confines to Salt Lake City to become a journalist. I am The Girl Who was dying an apathetic death of silent suffocation in the Utah desert until I met The Surge whilst he was touring with his band Marah. I am The Girl Who fell in love at first sight when I never thought it possible. I am The Girl Who married The Surge on the sly, a scant two months after meeting him, my dog Max’s collar encircling my thigh in lieu of a garter.

I am The Girl Who packed up a moving truck and busted through The Zion Curtain, vehicle pointed eastward, in search of the fantasies that I always imagined awaited me somewhere within the skins of The Big Apple. And man have I bit off a big mouthful of apple, worm and all!

To pay back the countless authors whose written dreams saved me from becoming complacent I am The Girl Who has written a book called The Girl Who, which is what this blog is all about.

If you would like to read more of her click here.

I love girls who break out of the shells other people have created for them.

Going against the grain is a wonderful thing.

Aaaahhhhhhh!

I hate finals week. Who doesn’t?

My week is actually not to bad. I only have two five page papers. I am almost done with one.

What really bugs me about finals week is how all that information swims around in my head until I am done.

Last night I dreamed about the NAACP and equal protection vs seperate but equal. When I went to sleep I thought I knew the difference. Now I am confused again.

One of my papers is comparing “Black Power” with “Soul on Ice.”

I am not looking forward to that one.

I had better get crackin!

1. EVER BEEN GIVEN AN ENGAGEMENT RING?
Heck no!

2. LONGEST RELATIONSHIP?
two plus years

3. LAST GIFT YOU RECEIVED?
don’t remember

4. HOW MANY TIMES HAVE YOU DROPPED YOUR CELL?
1 million times!!!!

5. WHEN’S THE LAST TIME YOU WORKED OUT?
Saturday

6. LAST THING YOU SPENT ALOT OF MONEY ON?
Dansko’s

7. LAST FOOD YOU ATE?
apple jax

8. FIRST THING YOU LOOK FOR IN THE OPPOSITE SEX?
Is he Chris?

9.ONE FAVORITE SONG?
Into the mystic - Van Morrison

10. WHERE DO YOU LIVE?
Stevensville, Montana

11. HIGH SCHOOL YOU ATTENDED?
Sheridan High School

12. CELL PHONE SERVICE PROVIDER?
verizon

13. FAVORITE MALL STORE?
??????

14. LONGEST JOB YOU HAD?
Fireside?

15. DO YOU OWN A PAIR OF DICE?
no

16. DO YOU PRANK CALL PEOPLE?
am I 12?

17. LAST WEDDING ATTENDED?
Chris’s sisters
18. FIRST PERSON YOU’D CALL IF YOU WON THE LOTTERY?
Chris & then mom

19. LAST TIME YOU ATTENDED CHURCH?
Ummm

20. FAVORITE FAST FOOD RESTAURANT?
Yuk

21. WHERE’S YOUR FAVORITE PLACE TO EAT?
Olive Garden

22. CAN YOU COOK?
HECK YES

24. LAST TIME YOU CRIED?
Sunday

25. MOST DISLIKED FOOD?
brussel sprouts

26. THING YOU LIKE MOST ABOUT YOURSELF?
That I am not afraid to try new things

27. THING YOU DISLIKE MOST ABOUT YOURSELF?
That I am to forward

28. LONGEST SHIFT YOU HAVE WORKED AT A JOB?
12 hours

29. FAVORITE MOVIE?
Love Actually

30. CAN YOU SING?
NO! but i do it anyway

31. LAST CONCERT ATTENDED?
Johnny Lang

33. THING YOU NEVER LEAVE HOME WITHOUT?
my keys

34. FAVORITE VACATION SPOT?
what is a vacation?

35. DO YOU LIKE CHINESE FOOD?
sure

36. IS YOUR ROOM CLEAN?
not really

37. LAPTOP OR DESKTOP COMPUTER?
Desktop

38. FAVORITE COMEDIAN?
Mitch Hedeberg

39. SLEEP WITH OR WITHOUT CLOTHES?
depends

40. LONG DISTANCE RELATIONSHIPS WORK?
not for me

41. HAVE YOU BEEN PULLED OVER?
Yes, but i’m really good at the blinky eyes thing and the tears

42. PANCAKES OR FRENCH TOAST?
i like the French toast

43. DO YOU LIKE COFFEE?
yep

44. HOW DO YOU LIKE YOUR EGGS?
Eggs benedict

45. DO YOU BELIEVE IN ASTROLOGY?
not so much

46. LAST PERSON ON YOUR MISSED CALL LIST?
Liz P.

47. WHO WAS THE LAST TEXT YOU GOT FROM?
Ashley

48. MCDONALDS OR BURGER KING?
Yuck and Yuck

49. NUMBER OF PILLOWS?
1

50. WHAT ARE YOU HEARING NOW?
Chris talk on the phone about cars. Blah blah blah

51. PICK ANY LYRIC?
you can’t always get what you want…but if you try sometimes you get what you need.
52. WHAT KIND OF JELLY DO YOU LIKE?
I like jam

53. CAN YOU PLAY POOL?
I pretend I can

54. DO YOU KNOW HOW TO SWIM?
yeah

55. FAVORITE ICE CREAM?
icky

56. DO YOU LIKE MAPS?
Yes. They’re fascinating.

57. TELL ME A RANDOM FACT ABOUT YOURSELF?
my mom used to let me dress myself for kindergarten…it makes for interesting photos….what was she thinking?!!

58. EVER ATTEND A THEME PARTY?
a few times

59. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE SEASON?
spring

60. LAST TIME YOU LAUGHED AT SOMETHING STUPID?
Sunday…with Chris…

61. WHAT TIME DID YOU WAKE UP THIS MORNING?
7:30 am

62. BEST THING ABOUT WINTER?
the way the snow muffles the sound of everything

63. LAST TIME A COP GAVE YOU A TICKET?
August 2000

64. NAME OF YOUR FIRST PET?
Fang Chang … a perfect Siamese

65. DO YOU LIKE GETTING FLOWERS?
Of course!

66. WHAT ARE YOU DOING THIS WEEKEND?
working and painting

67. WHAT IS THE THIRD LETTER OF YOUR NAME?
I

68. HOW OLD ARE YOUR PET(S)?
Daryl is 3 and Gary and Gary’s wife are stupid…I mean 1.

69. WHAT COLOR IS YOUR BACKPACK?
white and blue

70. ARE YOU SICK?
are you?

71. DO YOU GO TO SCHOOL?
yep

72. IS THE BATHROOM OPEN?
huh?

73. ARE YOU ON A LAPTOP?
nope

74. ARE YOU SMILING?
sure

75. DO YOU HAVE ON EYELINER?
yes

76. DO YOU MISS SOMEONE RIGHT NOW?
sure…my mom

77. IF YOU COULD GO ANYWHERE WHERE WOULD YOU GO?
Colorado or Sheridan

78. ARE YOU IN SCHOOL?
wha… didn’t you just ask that?

79. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE NAME?
Coolio

80. DID YOU GO ON VACATION LAST MONTH?
Nope.

81. HAVE YOU EVER BEEN ON A CRUISE?
nope

82. DO YOU HAVE A SISTER?
no

83. ARE YOU UPSTAIRS?
nope