2-3 Inches Of Rain An Hour

Milwaukee just got seven inches of rain in two and a half hours and multiple tornado warnings. This is something I will miss about the Midwest...it sure does know how to throw a thunderstorm. It was a good send-off.

Plays With Sparklers

I attended a wedding over the 4th and there were sparklers at the reception. This is proof.

Just Do It

Proof that there are good ads on TV. I love this commercial. It gives me goosebumps.

NatGeo Photo Update

I found my photo on NatGeo's Daily Dozen. I thought it had been lost or taken down or determined to be unworthy. It has magically reappeared in June - Week 5. I know some of you went looking for it and probably determined I was lying. Be sure to look through all the photos and keep coming back because there are some amazing shots.

Inception, Lost, LeBron and Le Tour

The movie I can’t wait to see…Inception. I can’t wait to see this on the big screen. Seeing previews for it is exactly like seeing previews for The Matrix back in 1999. You didn’t really know what the hell the movie was about, but it looked so damn cool. Don’t let me down Inception.

The TV show I can’t stop watching…Lost. For six years I had this conversation with people. It always started and ended the same way.

Friend: Do you watch Lost?

Bryce: No.

Friend: Oh, it is so good. You would like it.

Bryce: I bet I would, but I just don’t want to get into it now.

Friend: You should. You would get hooked.

Bryce: I don’t want to watch another series on TV. When Lost is done, I’ll watch the series straight through. It will be better that way and besides, I have never seen an episode and am so far behind.

Well, Lost is done and I am blazing my way through the series on Hulu. I am almost done with season 3 (only 5 more episodes). At this point, I can confidently say that Lost is the best produced suspenseful/Sci-Fi television I have ever seen. Nothing I have seen on TV compares to it. In terms of the plot, I feel like season three has been one of those low points I heard Lost fans talking about toward the end of the series. They would say things like, “Lost lost its way in the middle for a little bit, but it’s better now.” Sometimes I think Lost is a little evil experiment on its viewers by the writers and producers. Let’s see how many people we can get to watch this show without ever really answering any questions or taking them anywhere. The show sometimes feels like the first hatch and it’s 108-minute timer, where the question was: How long will someone commit to pushing the button before they stop or begin to question its purpose? How long will people watch Lost before they realize it is just a cheap trick, that they have been taken for a ride in an endless loop, which disguises old tricks for new, cheap thrills? But then during other episodes I will feel completely different, like the writers are geniuses. I’ll notice the smart injections of philosophy and politics. The writers are excellent at making me hate everyone on the damn island. First it was Sawyer, then it was Anna Lucia, and now it is Juliet. Oh, Lost. You’re so great, but I can’t wait until you are gone.

The professional athlete I am currently most disappointed in…LeBron James. “The Decision.” Seriously? You haven’t won anything LeBron. I was so happy to see David Stern criticizing LeBron’s method of marketing himself and the decision. For me, LeBron isn’t in the Michael/Kobe conversation right now. His ego is unjustifiably enormous. Where are the rings, LeBron? He is more a jester now than a king.

The sporting event I am watching now…Le Tour de France. I’m rooting for Andy Schleck. Not a big Contador fan, especially after the exchange of words with Armstrong during and after last years Tour. Go get ‘em, Schleck.

It's Good To Be Out Of Canoga Park

I consider Colorado to be home, but before that there was Princeton, New Jersey. Before that there was Canoga Park, where I lived from 1983 to 1988. A lot in LA has changed since '88, including Canoga Park. It is now the subject of this video on YouTube and I must share it.

Going Back To Cali

Leaving tonight on an airplane to Cali. There is a wedding to attend. There is family to visit. Back in one week.

Moving to Denver in 27 days.

"Proffessoring"

I am sure I am breaking some sort of rule/s by putting this up on the web, but the answers are from anonymous students. Thus, the class shall remain anonymous. These are just my favorite answers to questions on the teacher evaluations for the class I taught this year. I didn't correct any spelling and grammar errors in these answers.

What aspects of the teaching or content of this course do you feel were especially valuable?

1. I believe Mr. Perica did a fine job explaining the proper techniques of swimming and showed us what to do correctly.

2. The aspects of the teaching of this course that were especially valuable to me were the professors comedic approach to proffessoring.

3. To be prepared when swimming is required.

What changes could be made to strengthen the teaching or the content of this course?

1. The lifeguards need to be accountable and need to show up on time or at least call in to let us know how long we will wait.

2. Add more absence credits (5).

3. Possibly the addition of lifeguards that don’t make patrons feel unwelcome.

What other constructive comments would you like to make about the instructor and course? Please provide specific illustrations and examples supporting your comments, as they help us to better understand your evaluation.

1. It was fine to have actual swimmers in the class. He did NOT neglect the rest of the class! He was always there for help.

2. Get lifeguards that don’t suck.

3. Have lifeguards be nicer.

4. Big dog is awesome.

Missing Photo

I am not exactly sure where my photo on NatGeo's website went, but I swear it was up there. I can't find it now. Not in Week 3, 4 or 5. Odd.