College Football chat....the BCS National Championship title hunt.

With college football onto week 11, and with the regular season near a close, debate and discussion about who should be in and who legitimately has a shot at going to the national championship title game is, and has already been, well under way. Having watched, admired, closely studied college football for well over 10 years now, I've seen many teams pass through and how these teams were built. I've come to understand and appreciate the skill, character, and strength that define many of the top teams in the nation. With the grandeur of age, as well as formidable schooling I received (I got my bachelor's in engineering from Michigan Tech), I've acquired a much better eye for figuring out and realizing the current potential for greatness in just about any top ranked team I watch (surely, I don't spend time watching mid-american or sun belt conference/ mid-major football ...and definitely nobody else considered much more "sub-par" than that. I'll stick with the power 6 conferences, thank you!).

So without further ado, I'll wheel down the top contenders who I find to have a legitimate shot at the BCS title picture, then address the various scenarios that may play out, and so finish by enlightening all reading who I currently believe should play in the national title game (like if it was to be played today!!).

[......Oh, and just like anyone else who has even had a remote interest in football or universities, I have a favorite team as well--actually I have two teams: U of Alabama and Ohio State. Regardless of that, since I am in fact quite open-minded, and more so look to logic and fairness, I have the ability to draw criticism to even those teams (and I surely will in the following feature!!).]

First, let's start out with numero uno:

#1 LSU . Everybody is aware that they just came off a HUGE, MEGA game with Alabama in a clash of #1 and #2. My thoughts on that game was that Alabama absolutely lost it on missed FGs (not quite sure how a top ranked team has a kicker that goes 1/4!!). As well though, McCarron really wasn't as productive as he needed to be by making a critical throw or play (i.e. the third down in overtime by just falling to the ground. Jefferson, on the other hand, did very well in the run/play action pass combo). I saw that Trent Richardson (Alabama RB) had a decent game getting some nice runs in which set Bama up for those FGs. A big hit came when Maze's pass was miraculously, and athletically so, intercepted just as the Alabama TE/WR was about to hit the turf in clear possession with the ball. It was just plain, good defense on their part. Overall, good defenses in the game of course as it was a low scoring game (LSU 9 - Bama 6 , FYI if you were living under a rock for the past week or so).

#2 Oklahoma State. I obviously didn't catch the game since LSU and Bama was on, like everybody else. However, since I was obviously dissatisfied with LSU coming away with the W, I shot over to ESPN3 to catch the end of that game. Luckily I did since I caught Kansas State deep in the red zone, down by a TD, with well under 1 min to go. With that, I saw Kansas State get several chances to get it into the end zone but saw those chances, one-by-one, go by the wayside and finding Oklahoma St. pull through. Although I haven't gotten the chance to see them at all this season (I sure will Dec. 3 when vs. Oklahoma), I've seen some of data and highlights that show me that this team really has an outstanding offense (2nd in nation to Houston). Their defense on the other hand is pretty lackluster giving up nearly 30 pts a game. I think this team is pretty good but I don't see them bypassing Oklahoma in December.

#3 Alabama. I've already discussed issues and successes of Alabama in LSU's section. Many agree that LSU and Alabama are the top two teams in the nation right now. I'll discuss more about Alabama later when talking about how they may find their way into the national champ title game.

#4 Stanford. The Cardinal. Stanford is well on their way to the national title game but first faces a stiff test against Oregon THIS weekend (11/12/11). If they can get through Oregon, they should be clear for landing! I strongly believe Stanford is much underrated. Jim Harbaugh's tough-nosed offense and strong defense is still evident in Stanford if you have seen the 49ers play this season --> FYI they are 7-1 in NFL. With Andrew Luck still at the helm, I really believe and like this smart playing football team playing against LSU, if they hold on, in the national championship game. They were pretty impressive last year against Virginia Tech in the Orange Bowl with only one fault against the high-octane Oregon of last year. They should defeat a weakened Oregon team (Oregon is playing a battered n bruised Lamichael and Darron Thomas).

#5 Boise State. The National title picture for Boise State is looking pretty bleak right about now. They are contending with 3 undefeated teams and a weak popularity to get their shot at the title game. Besides that, if they get past TCU this week, they will go undefeated once again. The story on Boise State is very well known: A proven contender in BCS hunt (they beat Oklahoma in 2006 Fiesta Bowl) who, with senior Kellen Moore and a strong core of players, are a very good team needing many upsets in the next few weeks to get a jump ahead in the polls. You almost want to see it happen so we can have an indisputable argument for who should be in the title game. An unbeaten LSU/Stanford/Oklahoma State and Boise State.
ummm.....Houston, we have a problem! <--actually....NO! Houston may be undefeated as well...sure....but we aren't buying in!!...Boise has an outstanding track record over the past several years and proven competition against big name schools. For you critics, this is the dark side of college football that we can't see just one undefeated or none at all (with one/two loss champ) at the end of the season via having a playoff system.

I can go through and name off Oklahoma, Oregon, and Arkansas next but their national title hopes are all but dashed. (SEE WHY BELOW!!)




NOW, here is my take on the next couple weeks and who I like in the National Title game. This week hosts Stanford and Oregon. I see Stanford winning out with a battered Oregon team in LaMichael James and Darron Thomas. I see Oklahoma getting Oklahoma State on Dec. 3. LSU SHOULD beat Arkansas on Nov. 25th.

In fact, I'm going to have go out on a limb to say that #1 LSU IS GUARANTEED A SPOT AT THE NATIONAL TITLE GAME!...with a SOOOO seemingly imminent threat-for-losses against both Oklahoma State and Stanford from Oklahoma and Oregon respectively (or other teams?!?!...remember, it's college ball!!), even a one-loss LSU (by Arkansas) would still put them over the hump of Alabama (9-6 win), Boise State, and any other 1-loss teams. I clearly don't see voters putting Arkansas ahead of both LSU and Alabama in final BCS polls and SEC is the top conference right now.

#2 Oklahoma State is in the title game if they can hold off Oklahoma (thanks to #1 ranking in computers). If not, they must fall behind Oklahoma who is already out of the picture.

I think #3 Alabama is done since they need too many things to happen. They need Oklahoma State and Stanford to lose. Then they need to convince the media to play two teams from the same conference (LSU is in, remember) to play for the title game. They didn't do it with Ohio State and Michigan in 2006 since they voted on who they wanted to see in the game (a fresh matchup) versus the two best teams in the title game.

#4 Stanford need Oklahoma State to lose to get ahead in the polls since the computers are dragging them back. They first must jump that Oregon hurdle first. One step at a time, Stanford, one step at a time!

#5 Boise State is just simply out. They have a good argument if only one other undefeated team remains. If everybody loses a game, Boise State is going to have a field day!! (obviously, disregard Houston!!)

#6 Oklahoma is OUT!! A bad loss at Texas Tech is enough to make a argument that other 1-loss teams have a "better" loss. A win against Oklahoma State should help, but there is too much (as with Alabama) that needs to happen to get Oklahoma back into it...like getting Stanford to lose. In fact, I bet voters will keep Boise State ahead of Oklahoma just because of their 2006 Fiesta bowl accident.

#7 Oregon is OUT!! Yes, they do only have one loss to LSU, who is #1. That's supposed to give them the leg up if it's only LSU remaining undefeated at the end of the season. Both LaMichael James and Darron Thomas have been injured which severely hurts their chances against a powerful Stanford team which whom I've already considered they've lost to. Even though crazy does happen in college football, this is one time they are not going to make it!! End of story!

#8 Arkansas is another OUT!! Okay, so if they do beat LSU, they will go into a three-way tie with Alabama and LSU (if everybody wins except LSU against Arkansas...okay you get it!)...according to BCS protocol, I understand it is the highest ranked team who gets to play for SEC championship, and win there sending them to the title game! Voters are not going to put Arkansas ahead of LSU and Alabama, not since that EPIC defensive showdown between those two. Arkansas doesn't have that kind of showmanship of stretch and fortitude to capture the voters. They are out.

I can list off Clemson, Virginia Tech, and others but they 99.9% have no way into the title discussion.

Who I like in the title match is easy: LSU vs. Alabama! That was the title game we saw!!! It's not going to happen because I don't think both Stanford and Oklahoma St. are BOTH going to lose. Probably one of them; PLACE NO MONEY THAT THEY BOTH WIN OUT!




So with that, it's not who I like in the title match, but who I see in the national championship title match:

LSU vs. Stanford.



LSU is not going to lose the rest of the way and Stanford is going to win against Oregon...you can't be serious!! to say they lose to Cal or Notre Dame; That's like saying LSU loses to Ole Miss!


If you've read this far, THANK YOU!! PLEASE SEE MY OTHER POSTS IN COLLEGE FOOTBALL!!

Review of Internet Security Software

I find the lack of reviews on internet security software online, in fact, dismal. Only TopTenREVIEWS effectively communicates which internet security software they believe to be the best. Here is a screenshot from TopTenREVIEWS.com on their review of the....lemme guess, "Top Ten"....internet security software available on the market today.



They do a really nice job comparing ALL TEN at once! This is quite UNLIKE what you would...and WILL....run into when you go to reference another source (as your inner-educated self should do). I came across PC Mag and PC World in my search and figured that since their magazines are pretty good reads, perhaps the sites would be very helpful. Well, I was pretty disappointed when having found that PC World had the worst! looking review site I have ever ran into! When I clicked onto their antivirus and security software review webpage, I dove into mess filled with random chatter which pertained NOTHING to Antivirus software or REVIEWS AT ALL!!!! I just couldn't really figure out what was being communicated so I scrammed out of there! It was pretty scary. I dug diligently find my way to where the info should be but ran into a deadend saying the webpage was removed (i can't even remember how to get back to that). I really wanted PC World to have this info but oh well. PC Mag had individual webpages for some of the software I researched but, as it matters most, it was not very well communicated and organized so that I can simultaneously compare all of them to find which one is the best. CNET tried to do a good job with this but failed at a critical juncture: Outdated reviews! When I sorted the listing to list reviews from best to worst, I got several Norton's in a row from 2010 version down to 2004!! When I sorted the listing to show "most recent" reviews, I just got jabbed with randomly mixed good and bad reviews, in fact with the most recent one being from 2009!! A review listing for the antivirus software wasn't much better: all outdated the same. It is only at TopTenReviews where I could get my REVIEW!!!!!!

Beyond what editors's rate the products, I read personal reviews from all the top security suites you can download at CNET (unbiased download site) that showed me that perhaps none of the suites can do the top superior job for me in order to get elected. In that case, with everyone (security suites) rated all poorly (by user reviews) and excellent (editors' reviews), I figured there may be some excitement in it if I can personally trial each of the internet security suites (but not their COMPLETE, PURE, OR TOTAL suites, just the basic internet security suite).

Onwards from here, I'll give you guys my 4-1-1 on what I thought of the security suite and how it worked for me.

The first one I tested was Norton Internet Security 2011/2012 (NIS for short).

NORTON INTERNET SECURITY 2012
RATING: 9.5/10
ANTIVIRUS: 10
FIREWALL: 10
BULKINESS: 9
NON-SECRECY: 12
INTERFACE/COOLNESS/UserFriendly: 9
BRANDING: 7.5

It came with one of my laptops I got earlier in the year and then redid the trial (upgrade to 2012) since I didn't get to fully use it the first time (too busy).
I'll have to admit that this Norton IS 2012, or otherwise called Norton 360, did a STAND-UP job. One unique category I list is "secrecy". That means do they share info with you about what they are doing. In fact, for Norton, the detailed listing they have of what they were scanning, the threat level, and all the info they were sharing with me was pretty sickly awesome since you never get to see that kind of stuff. The overall interface was pretty nice and comfortable (the murky orange and black isn't too nice and pleasant but that's okay I guess). I had zero problems with false positives or anything real so that's good. It wasn't too heavy on system processes so that was another bonus. I thought it was pretty wicked that they put a little module up in the upper right hand corner which is usable for all your mobile devices/backup/parental and other ecetra items. The Branding category is another unique item I forged up since it should be known that essentially everybody subconsciously chooses between items/products based on the likability of its brand. Norton is a brand that was once infamously bad but which I believe is on a strong uprise!!!! Since human trustworthiness is hard to regain (you know that saying "heals with time"), the numbers are slowly working there way back up, but still a bit down.

Okay, the next suite which I am currently on is AVG Internet Security 2012. It is just day 2 for me so this info will be updated shortly!!

AVG INTERNET SECURITY 2012
RATING: BILLION/10 (just because I hope it is for the next several days protecting my PC....LOL!!)
ANTIVIRUS: 9 (SO FAR I THINK)
FIREWALL: 10 (BASED ON PREVIOUS REVIEW)
BULKINESS: 9 (They pretty much forced me to download another software piece)
NON-SECRECY: 8 (about on average...location of infections spotted as usual)
INTERFACE/COOLNESS/UserFriendly: 9
BRANDING: 9


So far, I am liking the interface and coolness of the security suite. Everything is about on par so there is nothing to complain or cheer about yet. Well, one thing is that they did a PC tune up and then had me download their AVG PC tune up software for a one-time use trial so i did it anyways but felt pretty compelled to do so. I guess it helped me out but will have to uninstall that software later (*sarcastic*: GREAT!). The branding on this is high because AVG is VERY WELL KNOWN as a freeware antivirus program. There have now been more that 300 million downloads for it and it is well liked. The internet security version is actually VERY WELL priced on ebay so it is there for the taking (which now currently has me there checking out prices and putting a little $ up for grabs; cheapest is < $10! (1-yr use))

MORE TO COME!!

Corporate and You!...= BRAND PROMISE!

What do you have in common with Coca-Cola, Walmart, AND Nike???
Well it more than you think!...seriously, not just some distant connection like you both manage goods and inventory or that you shop there.
I'm talking about something at the heart of these companies: a Brand Promise!
A Brand Promise is essentially a promise that you or a company make to your customer or who you are working for which you are expected to deliver on. Breaking a brand promise can scar the reputation of an entity for live!
Let's start with Corporate America:

1) Walmart. Walmart's brand promise is to provide the customer with EVERYDAY, LOW prices.
2) Coca-Cola. Coke's brand promise is to provide the customer with easy access to coca-cola and provide for a great tasting cool beverage.
3) Nike. Nike's brand promise would be to provide the customer with the BEST athletic gear possible.

...okay, so you get the point....but how do and could YOU have a brand promise. You're probably not a large reputable seller like these companies but your brand promise would probably come in the form of your services to a company. You are telling a company what YOU will offer to the company. It's basically your catch-phrase appealing to their potential need for hiring.

Here's an example:
MY BRAND PROMISE: Delivering careful and detailed examination of data
and data analysis in work; preparing well communicated technical reports;
making keen observations about work and group dynamics.

So basically, you are telling a company you are guaranteed to deliver on this work. If you have a proven brand promise like Coca-Cola, Walmart, and Nike, YOUR STOCK (like a company) will rise and corporations/companies/industry will either be looking to hire you or will be very/more persuasive to bring you on board to their company.

It's easy to make up any Brand Promise you like (which is like bait to a fish) but failing, or more like continuing to fail....usually one "hiccup" is not very serious but chronic conditions are critical, can forever demote you.

The one big ticket company in my mind that is still in business (pun at Enron) is actually Internet Explorer or IE. Back in its early days, IE was a new brand to the market. Nobody really knew much about the internet and they were discovering. However soon, some several years later around the millenium or sooner, IE had SEVERE Security and stability issues. It was an easy gateway for internet hackers, malware and adware to infiltrate users computers. The customers obviously saw that IE had broke it's promise to provide customers with an enjoyable, fun, fast, and safe utility for browsing. I just learned recently that IE came out with a SUPER fast brower (IE 9) for windows 7. It's supposed to be a HUGE TICKET ITEM. However, customers are still unsure about IE and they are simply just sticking with either Mozilla or Google Chrome, even though IE 9 should rip those two alternative browsers away. This is because IE failed to keep its brand promise. It was just one big screw up that they fixed up; it is and until recently been having major stability issues and underscores in security safeguarding.

Make an impressionable Brand Promise that is built entirely on what you do and who you are, or as well what you know you can do from experience. If you can then show a first few professionals that you uphold the principles you've set out in your brand promise, you will gain instant credibility and getting that job will be a lot easier. Tell the hiring manager your brand promise, back it up with professionals names for companies and people you've worked with and your career path should stay golden (as long as you continue to uphold your promise!!!)!!!!

The Glitch Mob!

The Glitch Mob....I'm not sure how I didn't find out about them earlier!!!!!!!!!!!
Okay so like they play this really funky style of electrorock....actually, i think they've just created electrorap! That's really how it feels. They are composed of three guys from LA who just showed up recently (within the last year!) and now they've got something good going.
Okay, so here is like their title song, and music video for that matter, in my opinion:



Wasn't that jibe-in'!?!?...plus they have another sweet hit called "Drive it Like You Stole It". I mean you can, AND SHOULD, seriously be blasting this while you're hitting the streets (and people, a real car!...with GOOD speakers!)...I also picked up "Animal Vox" and "Fortune Days"...I mean I just hit ALL the good ones! I'll be looking for more.

I can't understand why people like this trash music they play now that has no real vibe...who's picking this stuff out. I KNOW COOL MUSIC! This is good, MGMT is pretty good, Green Day is decent, Nine inch nails...?.....OH TRON SOUNDTRACK (Daft Punk! YES) (...and trying to remember other current stuff but can't...) and well just the music from '80s, '70s and '60s.

Yah, I'd like to see what you think...maybe I missed something. I'll DEFINITELY add it in if it belongs!...otherwise I might say its pretty okay...or else lol, you think that's good!?!?

Finding Our Passion

Passion. What is passion? The Merriam-Webster dictionary defines passion as an intense, driving, or overmastering feeling or conviction. It's simply that one thing you naturally love to do and learn more about. There's nobody who is pushing you to do it. You simply gravitate towards it! For example, for a lot of people in my family, its cars. Or perhaps it is teaching. I know a select few teachers that are extremely passionate about it; its the sole reason why they wake up in the morning. It's legitimately comparable to an addiction! Passionate people just can't go very long without doing it.
For me, I really can't say for sure right now. However, I have felt a strong sensation for learning more about meteorology, in particular severe weather. I go into a happy frenzy when severe weather is hitting the area. I immediately MUST/HAVE TO watch the news/weather report, check online at weather.com and weather.gov, and then get connected with other forms of media.
It goes to a whole new level if I know that the storm is going to hit my area. I track it until it goes live in my area (first hit) when then I run outside. I would then possibly take valuable footage of a possible storm if it has good appeal.
The level of excitement exponentially increases with increasing storm strength.
For a regular thunderstorm (non-severe), i'll track it but won't be too excited about to run outside.
If is severe (part of a squall line (long line of storms interconnected), i'll briefly be outside to see it come at us with the major threat of wind. However, if it is a severe pocket storm (my term for single-cell strong severe storm), i'll be on the look out for hail, wind and other severe characteristics.



Just to note, I've unfortunately (with a ?--probably more like fortunately) never experienced a tornado threat in my county or vicinity. In fact, the last time my county was under a tornado watch was like in 2002 or 2003 or probably earlier. It's just been too long. This is obviously a good thing but it would be a mind-blowing experience to go through having a tornado warning in my county. Better yet, I would love to see a tornado out on the horizon from where I live (luckily, on a hill with a nice long clear view of the northeast). It would be ever-so scary but exciting. In fact, I've had probably at least a HUNDRED dreams involving tornadoes, many of which I can still recall (I can still envision that tornado bearing down on my house). I even remember where I hid in the basement!
My closest experience with this type of occurrence was in fact last year on June 4, 2010 (see I even remember the date!!)....there was a thunderstorm approaching from the northwest and it obviously showed that it was getting a strong updraft from it easterly side. Below is a video clip I recorded for that storm. During this time, it looked as though it was trying to form a tornado when I believed I saw some rotation. It ran east along the north horizon from where I live and eventually became a severe thunderstorm. It was one of the most thrilling experiences I had with a thunderstorm. I think my mind really wanted a tornado to form but I definitely got to see the full-development of a severe thunderstorm which I will definitely take with me. I think this obviously tells you that I need to be a part of some storm chasers in the coming future which is an EXCELLENT idea and suggestion. There is currently not a program set up here at Michigan Tech for doing that. However, that sentence right there says it all: start up a club or program for students interesting in meteorology. There is not a very good network here at tech for this however there are definitely a number of professors who have good experience in atmospheric chemistry or physics. In that regard, there is potential. Geographically, Tech is not well position for severe weather although the Upper midwest ( Minnesota and Wisconsin ) provide nice pathways for finding severe weather.



As you can see, your passion will fill you with enjoyment and excitement. I do have to warn, it should not be the only thing you do! If it is the only thing you are doing, it can lead to boredom since you begin to feel to singularly bound to it. The perfect harmony of working with your passion is to fulfill it with other hobbies. For instance, a number of professors and top graduate students love to fish. While their prime interest is in learning and working with water, fishing provides some diversity in what they do.
When this style of living is coupled with the right diligence and self-discipline in life, one will find that their lives are essentially complete...no matter where they stand in the financial world or in their popularity of the majority. They have something they love and it is life-fulfilling.

Michigan Tech: Winner of USTA Midwest Regional Sportsmanship Award!

From Steve Wise, USTA Tennis On Campus Midwest Championship Director:

"Every year we offer a Sportsmanship Award to the team most deserving of this prestigous team award. They are voted on by their peers, and when it’s too close to call we get feedback from the officials as well. It has not been announced until now. Drum roll please…….…………… the winner is Michigan Tech University!!! Michigan Tech University’s club team demonstrated outstanding sportsmanship and heart throughout the event. They represented their University very well and they will receive a $350 stipend award (as well as a beautiful glass award) to offset their costs associated with travel to the National Campus Championship (if they have an at-large bid) or the Spring Invitational in Tucson, AZ!"

AMAZING!! 32 teams showed up to the event in Madison, WI for the tennis tournament and there were so many that were nice. I really feel that it is a result of my action to talk and interact with others schools. For instance, when I related to another school about their academic determination in finishing homework or when I ran up to the net after I lost a match to congratulate the guy in a fun spirited mood. The rest of our team was kind as well and they also were courteous and interactive (I know Nate was with ferris state for sure!). This is just extremely good news to find out about ON TOP of winning our very first match ever against another university. With the funds, a trip out to Arizona is now possible and a beautiful plaque will be on display.

February 16 HIGH TEMPS!!

Okay, just completely scratch off, scratch out, and incinerate my first post as completely irrelevant (the Feb 3 post)....all from February 13 until February 18 absolutely abominated my idea of what is 'warm' considering this time of year (February). A high pressure system originally just halted north of north dakota drawing in warm temps all across the upper midwest. Everybody achieved about mid-30s and much better into montana and dakotas up to the 50s around Sat. Feb 12. Eventually, by monday Feb 14, a complex low pressure system had developed out from near Wyoming beginning a pattern that would continue to draw in very warm air from the south. By the time Wednesday, February 16 hit, we hit 58F!!!..it SHATTERED the old daily record of 47 and ANNIHILATED the MONTHLY HIGH (highest temperature EVER recorded in the month) of 55F...that day truly felt like spring....I mean we had students snowboarding IN THEIR BATHING SUITS, for crying out loud!!! (there is still obviously snow on the ground in February for all upper midwestern states, especially here in Houghton!). After Wednesday, the low had passed by underneath us and was drawing the air in a more easterly direction. However, it only bugged the temps down to around the mid-40s because the air got so warm. By Friday though, the low had moved east enough to draw down a strong north breeze. By Friday, the low 30s made their way back in (with some snow) but at the cost of a HUMONGOUS wind factor. Winds CONSISTENTLY blew down on us at about 50 mph with gusts up to 70 MPH!!! The reason for this was because of the instability caused in the cold air undertaking and replacing the warm air mass that was present.



So afterward, reality had now set back in as the 30s and 20s dominated the rest of the following weeks. However, looking back, I'm starting to see a pretty interesting winter phenomenon settle in over the last few years here. In my first and second years of college, it was obviously the typical winter for all...a consistent snowpack and COLD temperatures all the way into April! I do mean there were some warm days (like 35F haha lol (compared to this year!)). The winter's were exactly as you would expect them to be and everybody was happy (well not really me, just the snow lovers :/). Last year, things started to get a little strange. It was during spring break March 6 (well, after when I got back to tech march 15) when it was evident that spring had arrived early. There were only a couple days afterward when the temperatures fell BELOW 32F!!!!!...the snow had melted in RECORD TIME (unofficially) by late march. For myself, it was the greatest present EVER! I was so happy about it that I had to push the Intramural department to hold softball again since they had canceled it after many years of failing due to still melting snowpack in mid-april. Our ground had been cleared off, dried, and ready for play!
This year (although not officially through winter), warm spells like this have been semi-constant. I can easily imagine (and SUPER HOPEFUL!!) that we will get another EARLY SPRING so that i can hit the baseball field again and enjoy the beautiful outdoors, making my trip to class a little easier....and so with that, I REALLY hope that the weather gives us our warmth...especially this this is my FINAL year here. So I say: "next year, you have it snow in June for all I care! I'll already be outta here!! :D". Of course, I'd only be back on visiting terms possibly next year, but that means I don't have to sit through the cold for several months worth and face all this homework.

Mini-Autobiography

Kevin Vayko is a Spring 2011 alumni student from Michigan Technological University. He studied and received a Bachelor's of Science in Environmental Engineering along with completing an International Minor in French. Throughout high school and college, he worked for his school regularly tutoring and assisting other students. Kevin is very observational in general life (i.e. politics, environment, and societal practices) and has a passion for work in the tech, sciences, and engineering fields were he wants to put his researching desires and skills to the test. Along with that, he is quite intelligent and very athletically gifted. He is a great example of a "lifetime learner". He knows and works to achieve being better. He works well with just about everybody because he is a very kind person, is open-minded, works diligently, and contributes meaningful and valuable input to discussion.

In summary:
Kevin Vayko is a Michigan Tech engineering alum who not only has a good heart, but has all the qualities and attributes to contribute greatly in the scientific or engineering field of work.

LinkedIn.com--the Facebook for professionals

Hey Followers, I've recently discovered a place called LinkedIn. It is your professors' equivalent of facebook. Here, you can and should absolutely join (LINK!) with other people you know like current and previous classmates, professors, staff, business or school associates, and other professionals that you've met, know and are good friends with. Once you get a good and numerous network of people, this provides you the opportunity to not only keep in touch with them (perhaps and for sure many of these professional people are not on facebook!) and more importantly use them as a resource for job employment or company/corporate contact. The same would apply vice-versa. You can also get in contact with professional/academic organizations/societies where you can further expand your professional network, associate and interact with professional groups within your field of interest/study, and potentially expand your career opportunities. I highly recommend it's use as a tool for you to use in your career development and professional life.

February 3 weekend weather

WOW!! I can't believe just how high the temperatures jumped up like this in the midwest. Myself, I did not anticipate that the weather pattern would turn out to feed a strong low system sweeping eastward in canada that would heat up the entire midwest. It was 37F in International Falls, ~30F in Fargo, ND and 33F here in the U.P. ...then on top of that, the system transformed before it decided to drop a chilly blast of cold air down from the arctic onto us. What happened is that another strong low developed around Colorado so that strong winds could not push down from the north where a low in the midwest would push air up from the south. So now the temperatures in the midwest are hanging on pretty beautifully in the mid-twenties!!! Lets keep it this way for the rest of February and March PLEASE!!!