Saturday, May 31, 2008

Sportswoman


I am a terrible shot, but from behind a Glock, Idaho looks ok.

I also shot a 9 mm and a 50 caliber black powder rifle.

Friday, May 30, 2008

Should Science Study Religion?


IF is in Bonneville County, which is sorta near the Bonneville Salt Flats speedway in Utah, made famous in several crappy movies. I could probably get my Yaris up to 100 mph out there.

In other exciting news, I got the key to my mailbox today, but I can't get a library card until I have proof of residence (my name isn't on the lease), so I need some mail. Mail me something, ya hear!

2381 Eagle Dr, #201
Idaho Falls, ID 83406

Thursday, May 29, 2008

World Without End


Continuing my magical journey, above is the big temple and some of the eponymous Idaho falls.

I walked around downtown today and saw a giant pile of antlers. That bodes well for any potential gun shooting I want to get involved with down the road. Also, there are many antique and consignment shops, and I think I've traveled back to the 1950s.



I really didn't want to write about it on here, but I can't resist: one of my roommates loves dragons and knights and Ren fairs; she makes capes and wears a hat with a feather in it. I'm just sayin'...

Wednesday, May 28, 2008

Used Books?

Look at me, I'm official.

It's been storming since I got here, and cold.

I went to the "largest used book store in Idaho" today, and the majority of the books were LDS-related. I feel the conversion coming on....

Tuesday, May 27, 2008

Atomic Idaho

I can't believe my little car actually made it up to Idaho. It chugged all the way through the scrub of Texas through El Paso, up to arid Albuquerque, over the Rockies and through the most hypnotic, alien landscape I've ever seen in Utah. We arrived in Idaho Falls after spending the night in Provo, and I am just getting accustomed to the local, um, culture.

Idaho Falls is a small city in desolate Southeast Idaho, situated on the Snake River, and comprised of a largely LDS population. Up until about 1950, the economy of the city was primarily agrarian, until the Atomic Energy Commission (precursor of the DOE) established the Reactor Testing Station and Idaho National Lab. Also, it is the birthplace of US Senator Mike Crapo, and they don't sell liquor on election days. (Disclaimer: the picture above is not of Idaho Falls, but the San Juan Mountains as viewed from Mesa Verde National Park in Colorado)

From what I can tell so far, there is a distinct palpable divide between lab employees and locals, the mix of several thousand nuclear engineers with many Mormons and the assorted hunting, fishing, wilderness people. I went to a bar yesterday and the hick threat level was very high, like at least orange, but today I was exploring the city a bit, and saw multitudinous spotlessly groomed excessively friendly LDS (LDSes?). I'm still not sure where the scientists are hiding.

A few nice things about Idaho Falls: lots of cheap Alaskan beer and fresh fish. Any big box store you could hope for along with some of the most absurd local businesses I've ever seen (more on that later). The city is the home of the first ever nuclear power reactor, and sits just on the edge of the Grand Teton Mountains and Yellowstone Park in Wyoming.

Things I'll have to learn to love: the movie theater really is an entertainment highlight of this city. Some of my colleagues at work achieve a dork quotient that I almost forgot existed. None of my nice friends are here (except Josh P), and I am hopelessly jaded about most things. I guess it's time for an attitude adjustment!