What's been going on lately.

   Since the round robin, I have been doing a lot. I have been very busy with school and debate, and am slowly improving in my speaking skills. My partner and I have decided to change our case, but are still in the process of changing. I just hope that our new case will be more solid that our last.
   While researching, I came across an amazing article. It appears that the North Korea has discovered a Unicorn's Lair. http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2012/nov/30/unicorn-lair-discovered-north-korea
   Friday night, I went to a folk dance, and I learned how to dance. James has been going for several months, and finally got my family to come. (Except that Rosie wasn't able to find a sub for her life guarding shift, so she and my father weren't able to make it.) It was very fun, and I enjoyed it very much. Here's one of the dances that we did: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1sXthXa_IJ8. It's called the Rakes of Rochester. It was possibly my favorite dance that we danced.

I did well on Saturday

   Danny and I won 2 rounds out of 4, which is pretty good. Our first three rounds were against varsity/varsity teams and would very hard fought rounds. The last round we went against a varsity/novice team and won, because the negative team didn't have many arguments against us. Over all, though, I need to improve drastically, for I received 4th in speaker points for three of the rounds, while my partner, Danny, received 1st in speaker points in all four rounds. Tonight, I will be going to the club meeting and we will be debriefing the Round Robin.

Rainmakers' Round Robin

   Tomorrow will be my first debate tournament. I think that my partner and I are ready, but if we aren't, that's too bad, because we have no more time to research.
   I'm very excited because not only will all my friends from Rainmakers be there, but some friends that I made up in Bellingham at the EPIC debate camp.

Some news

I am afraid that I have again been neglecting this blog, so I will update what is going on in my family.

   First of all, James has been working for about a month after receiving training by the same company that he is now working for. James finished his basic computer training at the beginning of October.
   That brings me to the subject of the 31st of October. I am formally getting rid of the holiday of Holloween, and am replacing it with Reformation Day. On Reformation Day, we celebrate the great reformers like Luther and Calvin, and we also celebrate great theologins like Spurgeon and MacArthur.
   Ezra will be visiting again for Thanksgiving, and our whole family will be going to Seaside for Thanksgiving. It will be a great time!
   Debate. That is what has made my life so busy, and especially now because I am preparing for a Debate Tournament on Saturday.
   That is all for now, because I have to get back to researching.

David's Birthday

   Yesterday was David's birthday.
   Funny occurrence, David received a knife as one of his gifts, and when he showed my father, my father commented, "My grandfather once gave me a knife and told me, 'You can have this knife, but if you cut yourself, then you must give it back to me.' I cut myself with the knife, but never told my grandfather. I think that the reason he said this was to keep me from complaining about any cut that I received.
   David, during the events of the evening, cut himself on the finger, but kept it from my father. I couldn't keep myself from laughing.

   Also, I think that I forgot to announce James' birthday when it rolled past, so I'll have to post it now. James' birthday was on the 21st of September.

   So happy birthday David, and happy late-birthday James!

   I just realized that the cousins didn't call to sing happy birthday yesterday! That has been a tradition for them for quite a while, and I'm sure that once they realize that they've forgotten, (or Johanna reads this) that they will call.

Gresham Mafia

If you are a Greshamite, be alert! Gresham Mafia is back in business!

Debate

   I just learned who will be my debate partner; Danny Bello! I am very excited for the upcoming year. Next week we will be presenting our case next week, (right now it's to "Abolish the 'One China' policy and accept Taiwan into the UN") and are working to refine the 1AC. We haven't decide who will be the 1A and who will be the 2A, and the same with Negative position.
   I am suprised at how I am doing in my public speaking skills; I guess that I've been so concentrated on doing well, that I've broken though the total fear of getting up in front of people and making a speech.

   Rosie is gone right now, though she should be back sometime tonight; she went on a Creation Encounter field trip with Mr. Hayley. I was invited too, but was unable to go because of Debate and AWANA.

   Ezra is ahead of schedule and is due in late tomorrow; right now he's in Spokane visiting Nat.

Ezra!

   We got news from Ezra. Below is an excerpt from his e-mail:
   "I finally have my orders to San Diego! I will be going there for SWOS (surface warfare officer school) and then joining my crew...I should be passing through Portland on the 27th or 28th!"
   Yes! Ezra will be home for a few days, before he goes half-way across the world.

9/11

   Let us never forget what happened on 9/11, 2001, and let us never let it happen again.

Design Science Association

   My father was just elected to the board of DSA, and my mother was just talked into being the secretary. Yes! more DSA involvement for our family.

Back from Camp

   I got back from the Bellingham Debate Camp, and am still processing all the information that I have received. I was literally drowned with knowledge. My cousin, Benjamin, came too; I think mostly to be with me than to learn the are of debate. He's in speech (apologetics) so he did well in the speech part. He was also a lot more familiar with it all, having timed numerous debates. We got to be debate partners, and won one debate out of two. After the "mock" tournament on Thursday, Benjamin's mother picked us both up and I spent the weekend at my cousins' house. Very enjoyable time, and had fun with parking lot greeting at their church and singing "The Foggy Dew" with Benjamin, accompanied by Johanna on the piano.
   When I got home, Benjamin and I sat down on the couch and "helped" James on a program that he was designing. This program is supposed to show what kind of word a word is. Let me explain it a little better. You write a sentence, and it detects it by color coding it if the words are nouns, verbs, adverbs, etc.
   One more thing, Debate is starting this week, so from now on I will be extremely busy.
   Also, please pray for me, that I will grow in the Lord, and that I will debate in such a way that will honor the Lord.
   Until next time,
       Go serve your King.

On with Debate!

   I have joined the Rainmakers Debate Club, and have yet to become affiliated with the NCFCA. I will also be going to a debate camp (doesn't that just sound so wonderful), and will not be able to communicate with the outside world until a week from now. I cannot say any more, because I have to get ready; TTFN, ta ta for now.

Of Monarchs and Painted Ladies

   At the fair, there was a "Butterfly Tent" where you could go in and feed butterflies. There were Monarchs and Painted Ladies. I went through the tent, and when I was going out, I noticed that there was a monarch in the garbage. I asked the guy if I could take it, and he said yes. When the fair closes they let all the butterflies go. with that in mind, I made sure that I was there on the last day, in the evening, so that I could catch some of the butterflies. I arrived there a little late, because all the butterflies had already been let out. Refusing to lose heart, I went around in search of these insects, and caught four. Three painted ladies and one monarch.

   When I got home, I moved the butterflies into a net cage (I had put them into a paper bag).
Several nights ago, in the middle of the night, I was asleep, and I was awakened by the sound of something falling; it sounded like in had come from the bathroom or the other side of the room. It was probably my cat knocking something down. Anyways, I wasn't going to let anything force me out of bed in the middle of the night.
   Suddenly I jumped out of bed with the thought that my cat had knocked down the net cage with my butterflies in it! Sure enough, it was lying on the ground with my cat sniffing it. Worst of all, the bowl of nectar (Honey+Water) that I had in the cage had been spilled. It had gotten all over the monarch butterfly, and another small butterfly that I had caught that day.
   Sleep being still in my mind, I cleaned up the mess quickly, and jumped into bed. When I got up, I took the butterflies out of the net cage, and transferred them to different cage. The monarch was dying, as far as I could tell. I cleaned its wings, rubbing them gently with a wet Q-tip, until most of the stickiness had been removed. My efforts were unable to keep the monarch alive, but it did save a great specimen. I'll have a monarch to add to my collection, when I get around to pinning.

How'd the Fair Go?

   This is what several people have asked me lately, and so I think that I should answer them. Mind you, that I'm not trying to brag, but only letting you know how I, and Susannah and David, did.

   David entered a clay beaver and bran muffins. They both got blue ribbons. He was also in a judging contest, made a monster cookie in front of a judge, and made a single dish in front of a judge. Some how his judging form was lost, and his results were not posted on the judging contest. He got a blue for the monster cookie contest, and a blue for his single dish that he made in front of the judge. This dish that he made was called "Ziploc Omelets." You actually make an omelet in a Ziploc. David also got an "Honorable Mention," which means that the judge thought that he deserved something, but the Champion and Reserve Champion had already been given out.

   Susannah entered a few more thing than David. She entered a wooden box, which she had painted and stenciled on, a family of clay teddy bear figures, jellied biscuits, a chocolate cake, and a recipe collection. All of these got blue ribbons. Her recipe collection got Champion (she stole it from me!), and was selected to go to state; the same with her cake, except it got a Reserve Champion. She also competed in the three contests that David had done. First she got a red in judging, a blue with her monster cookie, and a blue with her Apple Puff Pancake in front of the judge. She later found out that she had received the Champion Ribbon for her monster cookie.

   Now for my entries. I entered an Artisan Bread, and My Recipe Collection. Both recieved blue ribbons, were selected to go to state, and both got a Reserve Champion. I also competed in the judging contest, but got a red. My greatest accomplishment was preparing a mini-meal in front of the judge. I earned a blue, was chosen to go to state, and then was given a Champion. It was a great way to finish out 4-H (did I mention that I will probably not do 4-H nest year?). Now of course I would have liked to get a little better of a score on judging, being Reserve Champion last year, but it was for my good; you see, when doing very well in certain things, it gets easy to let your pride take over. So, I'm glad that I received a red ribbon, it taught me a little humility.

Blogger Tag

I've been blogger tagged by James, who was tagged by Anna.
Here are the rules that were given to me:

Anna's rules:

If you are tagged/nominated, you must post eleven facts about yourself.

- Then, you must answer the eleven questions the tagger has given you and make eleven questions for the people you are going to tag.

- Next, tag eleven more bloggers.

- Tell the people you tagged that you have tagged them.

- No tagging back.

- The person you tagged must have less than 200 followers.

James' rules:
Now, I am bound to follow these rules.  However, there was nothing in these rules that said I couldn't change the rules for whomever I would tag.
So, here is the new set of rules.
If you are tagged:  You don't have to do anything!  However, here are some suggestions:
Follow Anna's rules, but loosely.  Feel free to tag back.  Feel free to tag Anna.
If you don't feel up to continuing the storm of blogger-tagging, you can always just leave a comment instead.

 Now just as James pointed out, There is no rule that says that you can't change the rules, so here are the new set of rules:
-If you are tagged, you mest post eleven facts about yourself.
-Then you must answer the eleven questions the tagger has given you and make eleven questions for the people you are going to tag, (you must also answer these).
-Next tag eleven (or as many as you can) bloggers. Make sure you hyperlink their names/blogs.
-Tell the people you tagged that you have tagged them.
-Yes, you can tag back.
-If you are tagged for a second time in a month, you do not have to tag anyone else. You are encouraged to answer the new questions though.
These are now the new set of rules.

 Eleven facts:
1. I'm an entomologist
2. I might be going into speech and debate this year.
3. I was recently the director of a movie, Treasure of the Mountains. It is still undergoing editing, but 
   I will post it when it is finished.
4. One of my brothers is getting married in a little less than a year.
5. I'm taller than my brother James. :P
6. I love to sing Celtic songs. I also like to sing Lyrical Science songs.
7. I always wonder what was going through Lee's mind during the Battle of Gettysburg.
8. Someday, I would love to visit Scotland, the home of the brave.
9. I love the names Joseth and Jeshua.
10. My insect collection is growing.
11. I am currently reading "Don't Waste Your Life" by John Piper. I highly recommend this book.

Here are the eleven questions that James asked:

1.  Who is your favorite well-known figure from American history who (a) never held office, (b) did not write any significant works and (c) died before the year 1850?
 Ah, you eliminated so many: Jonathan Edwards, Abraham Lincoln, Stonewall Jackson, etc,. 
I guess I'll pick Daniel Boone.
2.  If you could imitate any accent perfectly, which one would you enjoy imitating the most?
 Do you even have to ask me? A Scottish Brogue.
3.  Tau Ceti is the second closest star to the sun, and very similar to it in size, temperature and stability.  If if you had to write a work of science fiction centered on an earth-like planet around Tau Ceti, what would be the name of the book, and in two or more mid-length paragraphs, the basic gist of the story?  (Include names of characters.)
   I would write it about a small country that is in the middle of two larger countries that are at war with each other. The war would spill over into this small country, Elendith, and would turn it into a war torn wasteland. Laeyma, who has lost her family, is trying to get out without dying. She meets up with Resalna, a friend of hers, who is also trying to escape. They both are then captured and sent to a work camp. 
   There they meet someone from Elendith. His name is Melgath, and he used to be part of the Elendith army. He formulates a plan of escape, and the three of them along with two others, escape in a spaceship. They fly to the colony of Sumnad which was a colony of Elendith. It is on an outer moon. On this moon there are four seasons, but each only lasts for about a week. So the weather is constantly changing. At this the colony of Sumnad is in anarchy. Melgath gets involved with a group that is trying to restore peace, and then disappears. Meanwhile, Leyma and Resalna travel to the outskirts of the colony to some relatives of Leyma's.
   That's it. I guess it's somewhat of a cliffhanger, so I'd have to write another story to add to this one. But since I won't be writing this story anytime soon, I won't bother to think up that other story.
4.  If you were an Ent from Fangorn, what kind of tree would you resemble?
 Some kind of pine or fir. Probably a Ponderosa pine.
5.  If you had to travel through a dangerous wood, and you were allowed to carry a sword, a bow and quiver of arrows, and one other weapon of your choice, what weapon would you choose?
 A double edged axe.
6.  See the question above.  What kind of sword would you take? (Rapier, broadsword, etc.)
 A claymore.
7.  If you could go back in time and assist one of the Old Testament prophets with his ministry, which one would you choose?
 Elisha.
8.  If you were given command of a captured foreign enemy ship, and the privilege was yours to rename the ship, what would you name her?
 It matters what kind of ship it is, and in what condition it's in. If it's somewhat beat up, I'd name it the Grig. If it was in nice condition, I'd name it The Snowy Tree Cricket.
9.  What is your favorite poem?  By whom?
 Any poem by Isaac Watts.
10.  What is the best knock-knock joke you've ever heard?
 I know that you've already mentioned this, James, but this is the best."Knock! Knock!" "Who's There?" "To." "To Who?" "To Whom."
11.  Finally, choose any acoustic stringed instrument (besides the 6 string guitar) and do a character sketch.
 I'm not sure if I quiet get what you mean, but here it goes.
   The bass (violin) is a sophisticated instrument, who wears spectacles, and a tailed coat. He reads books on philosophy, and is a professor of history at some pristine university. He is an elder at his church, and fills the pulpit every once in awhile. He is married to a cello, and they have three violas and six violins. He has his own website, on which he debunks heretical statements with sound theology. He also has written a few books himself.

Here are the eleven questions that I'm asking:

 1. What is your favorite not-especially-Christian song?

That's hard. I'll just give you several: "Oh Flower of Scotland," "All Living Things," "Scots Wha Hae," "St. Brenden's Fair Isle," "Invertebrates," and "Far Over The Misty Mountains Cold."

 2. If you were from Middle Earth, and you were either an elf or a dwarf, which would you be?

Of course I'd be a dwarf.

 3. What is your favorite kind of Insect?

This has got to be the hardest question of all, I don't think that I can narrow it down to one, so I'll give you two: Beetles, and Crickets.

 4. Many people don't like tomatoes. Are you one of these people?

No, I am not one of those people. I love tomatoes.
 5. You're walking down a road that you've never traversed. The trees are thick on either side of this road. You think you might of heard something in the trees ahead, what would you do?

I'd have my sword ready in hand, and progress forward.
 6. (See question 5) You suspicions were correct, because out steps a fearsome looking man who reminds you of a bandit. If in your previous answer you hid or ran, what would you do? If in you previous answer you continued forward, the bandit advanced, and demanded that you hand over anything of value that you had. What would you do?

I wouldn't let the man lay a hand on me. First he'd get a sword through his stomach.
 7. If you were held at gun point, and told to write a story where the main character had to be an older man (60 years or older), what would the main plot be in one sentence?

He would be a wise man who is mentoring three young men who were born in secular families.
 8. If you had a dark blue car/truck, what would you name it?

Klicnizlak. No that's not a typo.
 9. Out of all the kings of Israel in the Old Testament, which is you favorite?

Josiah. Close runners up would be David and Hezekiah.
 10. Who was your favorite Disciples out of all 13?

John.
 11. Name one of your favorite presidents?

Abraham Lincoln.

I tag:

James of Jimmy Boone

Ezra of Shadow And Glory.
Nat of Megatron's Digital Archives.

Rosie of My Life Through a Lens

Danny of Behind the Camera

Kyleigh of A Thousand Daily Deaths.

I may tag a few more latter on.

The Fair

   Next week is the Clackamas County Fair. David, Susannah, and I all have something that will be exhibited and we will all be cooking in front of the judge. Susannah and I will be competing with each other, because we are both intermediates. One contest in particular, Th recipe collection contest is somewhat tense between us. I am a veteran in this, having gotten a Champion ribbon at the state fair two years ago, and a Reserve Champion last year. But Susannah puts all her scrap booking knowledge into it so that I wouldn't be surprised if she beats me out. It will be fun whether or not I win. I will post the results when I get them (which should be on Tuesday).

Swimming Cricket

   Now this is my dream!

http://www.bbc.co.uk/nature/19102700

   I need to get myself one of those.
   If you think about what they say enough, you can figure out that they are making up some of the facts. For example they say,

"Isolation in the caves has made the swimming cricket an apex predator"

   How do they know that the cricket is an apex predator? They would have had to spend a lot of time in the cave observing this cricket, and searching for other creatures that could possibly be able to kill the cricket. If they had done this then they would have almost definitely come across several more crickets. And anyways, how do they know that it preys on anything but very small creatures? Just because an insect has a painful bite in defense doesn't mean that they use that for hunting other prey. I have caught a long-horn beetle before, and it bit me, that still doesn't mean that it is a predator. That is only a defense.

I am so very sorry for neglecting.

   I am sorry for neglecting this blog for so long.
   A lot has taken place in life since my last post; Rosie and I helped at a camp one weedend, I helped at several day camps, I went on a DSA rafting trip with Rosie, my family went on our annual vacation up to our Grandparent's cabin up in the Cascades in Washington, and several other things.
   One important thing is that me and a few of my friends have started a Bible study thing. The reason I call it a Bible study thing is because we aren't going through the Bible, but a book; I Kissed Dating Goodbye. We plan to go on to other books when we finish this one. Please pray for me that I will be able to learn from this, and that I would be able to encourage my friends to continue in the walk.
   Another thing is, that I am debating whether or not I should join a speech and debate club this year. If you have anything to say about this, whether to encourage me to join or to discourage me, please comment.

As ever,
    Follow the King.

Australian Quiche

Yum! Australian Quiche is very, very good. I made this tonight for my Recipe Collection.

Master's Chorale

Last night our family went to Battleground to hear the Master's Chorale. It was beautiful music and singing, I regret having to leave. James introduced us to Dr. Plew who was the conductor (James used to be in the Master's Chorale). I got a picture with him (see below). A somewhat humorous story from last night, Dr. Plew snatched a bulletin from my hand, and handed me another. He had apparently messed up on an autograph and needed a new bulletin. I am keeping the bulletin with the messed-up autograph just to tell this story.

Flowers

Here are some flowers that are blooming in our yard right now.

Cake

Beautiful Homemade Cake

Hike up the Klickitat Rail Trail

 

 Pungent Desert Parsley

The Creek

Red Winged Blackbird

Interesting Rocks

Frog

Coyote on the other side of the Creek

Lupine

I found this group of four butterflies soaking up the sun, and took a few pictures.

Closer up of the four Silvery Blues

Killdeer

These rocks looked like they were ready to topple down on us.

Fence Lizzard

Balsamroot

Looking ahead at Susannah

Columbia Desert Parsley

A few treasures that I found on the trip. Railroad track nails, and a Quartzite.

The trail

The hills on our right. Beautiful, and smooth.

Precariously balanced rocks above us. It looked like a fortress.

Some sort of Woolly Bear.

Gopher snake under rock.

Gopher snake's head

Empty Caddisfly larva case

Waterfall

A peaceful pond we ate lunch by.

Dead carcass of a deer

Another Gopher Snake

I encountered a rattlesnake, but he quickly slithered off under the brush.

Another Silvery Blue

Fence Lizzard

Pinacate Beetle 

The wind rippling the stream.

 Marmots