Author: Bryan

This one of the coolest things i’ve seen in a while with common every day objects. When adding Mentos to Diet Coke, the soda shoot out of the bottle over 3 feet. I saw this on Mythbusters last night and had to check out the site.

http://www.eepybird.com/dcm1.html

Now I must go shopping… }:)

I know I’m not a usual post started, but I have info that I wanted to share. Most of this is because I just got back from a 9 day trip to Greece with my new fiancée last week. Rather than typing all the proposal details, I’ll steal Justin’s format from earlier this month and share 10 things I learned.

1) Engagement rings need at least 3 days to be sized. (oops) 2) Hiding a ring from your girlfriend is not as easy as you may think. 3) Airport security will let a ring in your jacket pocket go thru the x-ray machines without pulling it out. (whew) 4) It is possible to go thru customs and run across the Frankfurt airport in 15min. (barely) 5) Failure to make complete #4 can result in having to spend 11 hrs waiting for the next flight. (several members of our group) 6) Sidewalks in Greece are NOT level. 7) Tour directors will do anything to avoid Greek hospitals. (even if stitches may be needed) 8) Once you find the “perfect

Matt, Since you are still listed on the MIA list, this may be news to you. I’ve gotten several emails lately about the planning of QOHS class of 91 reunion. Its still a few months away.. But I just wanted to check to see in any of you guys, from 1991, were thinking about making the trip back.

Bryan

PS Matt, maybe we can find Jen Ward for a basket toss. 🙂

I got this in a email from my sister. Since religion is sometimes brought up here, I was interested in seeing how other do on the quiz. I’m actually embarrassed to say how badly I did.

This is a twenty-question quiz on the birth of Jesus. You might be surprised at what you know or don’t know about it. I know I was.

http://www.bible-trivia.com/Christmas_test.html

Don’t let Christmas Carols lead you astray.

Ok.. I like my Xterra alot. Its alot of fun off roading and in the snow. Compared to some other SUVs, the Xterra getting about 20mpg isnt too shabby. (can anyone guess what my complaint is about to be?)

I got gas last weekend for $2.54/gallon in Baltimore. Today the same gas station is up to $3.09/gallon and the station across the street is at $3.19.

I realize that the gas stations are trying to charge extra so that they can “afford” the next shipment which will be at a higher price.. But OUCH!!

I was reading today that gas prices are expected to go up 50 cents over the next 3 weeks. At this rate I may have to trade it in and get a Insight in order to be able to afford to go to work each day.

— Bryan

While bored at work I came across a link to Newsweek article about the top 1000 High Schools. I was happy to see that good old QOHS [editor: Quince Orchard High School] was number 314 out of 27,468.

Granted, there were 5 schools from Montgomery County in the top 100, 314 isnt too bad. I started looking thru the rest of the list to find several of(almost all) Montgomery County schools on the list. Other area schools were on the list too, most from Northern VA and other areas that are somewhat “rich” areas. Areas which even if i was able to afford a house in, I wouldnt be able to afford to have children. As some of you know, i am lived with just my father and he was able to support the two of us living in montgomery county. But now adays the townhouse he bought for $60k is going for almost $300k.

I don’t even want to think about how much Matt’s old house is worth.

So when I have kids (and a wife), looks like I would have to make a choice. If I want to give them a nice house that I can afford, they won’t get the best education.

Or I could live in an area with good schools but only be able to afford a condo.

Or hope to marry somone that is making as much if not more than myself to maybe be able to get close to both.

I know I’m behind on the baby making compared to others so I’m still in the “what if” thought process. But is this the problem that those who already have children are dealing with?

EDIT by matthew: Linked, tpyos corrected, small edits.