Thesis is DONE.

Yep, all accepted by the library and everything. I'll be having a few copies printed, so let me know if you want one. If you can't wait for that, you can see it online at the MSU ETD website.

Here's how (can't seem to direct link it)!
- go to http://www.msstate.edu
- click on "Libraries" (just below the search box)
- in the middle (blue) column, click on "Search for Materials"
- click on "Electronic Theses/Dissertations"
- enter "waterstrat" in the last name field, click search.
- that'll take you to a link with my full name, click it
- read the abstract. If it doesn't put you to sleep, click on the file at the bottom to download, it's a PDF.
- laugh and joke about my pitiful attempt at science.

Seriously though, this is what I've spent a good part of the last two years working on. Let me know what you think. It's obviously not going to be the most exciting reading, but there's plenty of pretty pictures, most of which I took myself. Lots of cave maps too...

For Kristen:

Thought you might like to seem some recent pictures of Zephyr...









:)

Some neat stuff...

Recently came across this site:
http://thrillingwonder.blogspot.com
It's full of all sorts of random really interesting stuff. For example: Cool murals and painted buildings.

I also found a really neat free software thingy that is basically a planetarium for your computer. It's really neat, especially if you like looking at the stars like I do...
http://www.stellarium.org
Screenshot:

24 Hours later...

It burned from the inside out and fell over...

It was still smoldering in a few places...

But I took a look inside anyway. Neat texture I thought.

And Zephyr was along teasing the cows...

Holy crap!

Weather forecast predicted rain for today, probably severe thunderstorms. I woke up around 8, and it looked like it had just rained, so I thought I might have a couple hour window of decent weather. So I went out riding. Started raining before I even made it out to Southfarm, but not too bad, so I kept going. Not long after getting out there, it just opened up. Not to mention the thunder and lightning. The kind where you see the flash and hear the thunder at the same time. Not too far off! Talk about motivation to get up and over the hills quickly! Anywho, about halfway around it let up a bit. I was thinking of going around again, since I was already wet and dirty. However, I came upon an interesting sight... a nice big old oak that was on fire! Apparently, it'd been struck by lightning. Wow, lucky that wasn't me. And this tree was down in a low area too. Eek! Anywho, I took a few pictures, and booked it home, even though the rain was pretty much done. Since then, it's been alternating between heavy downpours and steady drizzle. Here's a few pictures...

What's this? Hmm...

Lightning victim. Can't wait to see how this turned out...

This is actually 2 pictures stitched together.

Me all muddy at home...

Ticks

Hey mom and dad, if you haven't already, you might want to check yourselves for ticks. I found one on my waistline on my backside a few days ago, and one on the back of my calf this morning. Too bad about that, hope they're not always that bad out there (Dorman Lake) nowadays...

Some pictures with Mom/Dad...

Me and the old man on the Woodpecker Trail at the refuge.

Caterpillar at Dorman Lake. I think it's a monarch...

Crane fly at Dorman Lake.

Cypress at the refuge. Too cold for the turtles to be out...

Zephyr and the old man on the Goose Overlook at the refuge.

Bluff Lake at the refuge. It was unseasonably cold and windy.

"The Great Jungle River" at Dorman Lake. Remember that? :)

Some Pictures.

Sorry about the delay Kristen. :)

Pretty green scenery at Southfarm.

Mooo! Notice Zephyr hauling ass along the fence.

Whatchyoulookinat?

Buttercup.

Educational signs. And it's patriotic!

The kitty finally let me pet it.

It was purring like crazy...