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Court
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Monday, August 30, 2010
Sunday, August 29, 2010
An Exclusive Interview
We all know that the Yankee Texan wouldn't exist without the efforts of one man in particular. Mr. Andrew Beck, a Maryland native and aspiring scientist, was a key decision maker in the early stages of "Yankee" development. After months of discernment, Beck threw aside suggestions of more meager locations like State College, PA and Boston, MA and high tailed it to the Great Republic. We, at the Yankee Texan, had a chance to sit down with him recently on the year anniversary of his move. Here's what he had to say.
YT: Andrew, thank you so much for sitting down with us today. Its been a year since you packed up your Subaru and headed to Galveston. What are your impressions of your first year as a Yankee Texan.
AB: Texans have received me with open arms. That is to say, most seem to be heavily armed.
YT: So you're working towards a PhD. Tell us a little bit about your work. I would specifically like to know the title of a few journal articles that I can throw out at cocktail parties. As I am sure you can understand, I prefer to sound ridiculously intelligent and make everyone feel rather inferior when in these situations. What would you suggest?
AB: I study the pathology of viral infections. It's a fascinating topic from several dry-sounding perspectives. I'll leave it to say that every infectious disease process has many moving parts, and it's important to study each of them. In this manner, we gain insight into far-ranging topics like vaccine design, ecology, and public health policy. There's plenty of real-life application. If you're really in the mood to take a nap, try the link http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed and search "viral pathogenesis." You'll get back enough papers to fill a dump truck.
YT. Excellent! I look forward to putting these to good use. I also understand that you are going for a degree in "Texan Barbecue". Two degrees in just five years, Andrew! Not for the faint of heart. What are you working on in the "Barbecue Lab?"
AB: A successful rib smoke is my eventual goal. It requires exquisite control of a charcoal fire, to hold a 200 degree temperature for 5 hours. This is not for the weak or impatient. Let's just say I need some practice.
YT: So, whats on the horizon for the coming year, your second, both at UTMB and the School of Smokin' Hot Ribs?
AB: I'll have to design some type of independent research, on a reasonable topic. This is exciting because it's an opportunity to be creative, and maybe to answer an interesting research question. Hopefully I'll pass the qualifying exams at the end of this academic year. There will be lots of hoop jumping on the way to the end. As for the ribs, I'll be spending some time learning the complexities of temperature control.
YT: And your wife, Courtney. You two are quite the power couple. She is also going for her PhD at the prestigious "School of Martial Bliss." I was bummed she could not be here today but I know she is preparing to present to her colleagues on her recent publication - "Blood, Sweat and Tears. A Tasty Addition to Tonight's Chicken Cacciatore." How is she handling the pressures?
AB: She's handling it better than expected. This paper must be pretty significant. I saw it last month in The Journal of Why Your Wife Deserves Some Kind of Medal.
YT: She's quite a lady. Well, thanks so much for taking time with us today. We know you are a busy busy man. We look forward to talking again soon.
YT: Andrew, thank you so much for sitting down with us today. Its been a year since you packed up your Subaru and headed to Galveston. What are your impressions of your first year as a Yankee Texan.
AB: Texans have received me with open arms. That is to say, most seem to be heavily armed.
YT: So you're working towards a PhD. Tell us a little bit about your work. I would specifically like to know the title of a few journal articles that I can throw out at cocktail parties. As I am sure you can understand, I prefer to sound ridiculously intelligent and make everyone feel rather inferior when in these situations. What would you suggest?
AB: I study the pathology of viral infections. It's a fascinating topic from several dry-sounding perspectives. I'll leave it to say that every infectious disease process has many moving parts, and it's important to study each of them. In this manner, we gain insight into far-ranging topics like vaccine design, ecology, and public health policy. There's plenty of real-life application. If you're really in the mood to take a nap, try the link http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed and search "viral pathogenesis." You'll get back enough papers to fill a dump truck.
YT. Excellent! I look forward to putting these to good use. I also understand that you are going for a degree in "Texan Barbecue". Two degrees in just five years, Andrew! Not for the faint of heart. What are you working on in the "Barbecue Lab?"
AB: A successful rib smoke is my eventual goal. It requires exquisite control of a charcoal fire, to hold a 200 degree temperature for 5 hours. This is not for the weak or impatient. Let's just say I need some practice.
YT: So, whats on the horizon for the coming year, your second, both at UTMB and the School of Smokin' Hot Ribs?
AB: I'll have to design some type of independent research, on a reasonable topic. This is exciting because it's an opportunity to be creative, and maybe to answer an interesting research question. Hopefully I'll pass the qualifying exams at the end of this academic year. There will be lots of hoop jumping on the way to the end. As for the ribs, I'll be spending some time learning the complexities of temperature control.
YT: And your wife, Courtney. You two are quite the power couple. She is also going for her PhD at the prestigious "School of Martial Bliss." I was bummed she could not be here today but I know she is preparing to present to her colleagues on her recent publication - "Blood, Sweat and Tears. A Tasty Addition to Tonight's Chicken Cacciatore." How is she handling the pressures?
AB: She's handling it better than expected. This paper must be pretty significant. I saw it last month in The Journal of Why Your Wife Deserves Some Kind of Medal.
YT: She's quite a lady. Well, thanks so much for taking time with us today. We know you are a busy busy man. We look forward to talking again soon.
Thursday, August 19, 2010
Off to the Races
G'day folks!
I am eagerly anticipating the close of this week as these two yankee texans have next week off of work without a thing planned. Wahoo! What shall we do with ourselves?
Here's one thing: Start looking at training plans for our first ever half marathon! How exciting :-) I know, I know - when I first revealed my List I was 100% sure to emphasize that marathons were not in my life plan. No mam. No Sir. This girl might have biked a couple thousand miles in a former lifetime but she has not and likely will not ever get the bug to run 26 miles in a row.
That said, a half marathon is certainly within reach. Even better yet, Sir Andrew, PhD, is game too.
We've been reading this book together over the past couple of weeks that I would love to recommend. We haven't finished it yet but we are already enjoying it. Its called "The Principle of the Path," By Andy Stanley. Now, if you are like me and read this title you will immediately be turned off. Read the back, and you might be turned off even more. The title sings too much of those cheesy self help books. Or, worse yet, one of those awful prosperity band wagons from a couple of years ago like "The Secret". You remember?
"The Secret to life is pure, unbridled optimism. Just say to yourself, there WILL be a parking space at the front of the mall, on a snowy day, 24 hours before Christmas day. Imagine it in your mind and consciously feel your car turning into the space directly in front of Macys. and Voila! it WILL happen"
Barf. I consider myself to be a relatively positive person, but even I know that the Secret to getting a good parking spot on Christmas eve lies only in parking my bum on the couch with a copy of Its a Wonderful Life and a cup of steaming hot chocolate.
For this particular book however, I did keep reading. I have alot of respect for Andy Stanley, the author, and just wanted to make sure he hadn't gone off the deep end. And, despite the title, he hasn't. The book is a walk through a principle that he has discovered as a minister over the past 20 something years. He suggests, that after years of hearing all too many tales of divorce, bankruptcy, broken friendships etc etc., that he has uncovered an underlying life principle that weaves its way through all of them. In fact, this principle, when properly leveraged, can lead us to be people who have wonderful marriages, pristine finances and a plethora of devoted friends.
His principle is this :
Direction, not intention, determines destination.
Think about it. You'll have to buy the book to learn more. Or, if you cozy on up to me I might just lend it to you when we finish. But consider this: People don't wake up one morning and say to themselves "I want to go into financial ruin today" Nor do they stand on the altar of their wedding day and say "I really want to screw this up." But, as we walk through life each day we take steps that lead us on a path. We snap at our spouse. We put it on the credit card even though we don't have the funds to pay it off. We continually ignore the phone call from a friend. add these activities up, day after day and year after year and that puts us on a path financially, relationally, etc. Conversely, if I save money each pay check, eat an apple each day instead of a bag of chips and take the time to call a relative I will likely be on a path in the right direction.
Its common sense, I know, but I never thought about it in this way. I don't intend to be 40 and unhealthy. But if I don't exercise, go for regular check ups, and eat more vegetables than I do chocolate cake, the doctors all guarantee us that I will most likely be seeing them more often than I would like to by the time I reach the big 4-0.
So, it seems we are taking this idea to heart. Its time to put on the running shoes. On November 20th (my 27th birthday, incidentally), Galveston will host its first annual running festival. Some friends have joined us and we are looking forward to getting healthier together. Stay tuned - we'll keep you updated on our progress!
I am eagerly anticipating the close of this week as these two yankee texans have next week off of work without a thing planned. Wahoo! What shall we do with ourselves?
Here's one thing: Start looking at training plans for our first ever half marathon! How exciting :-) I know, I know - when I first revealed my List I was 100% sure to emphasize that marathons were not in my life plan. No mam. No Sir. This girl might have biked a couple thousand miles in a former lifetime but she has not and likely will not ever get the bug to run 26 miles in a row.
That said, a half marathon is certainly within reach. Even better yet, Sir Andrew, PhD, is game too.
We've been reading this book together over the past couple of weeks that I would love to recommend. We haven't finished it yet but we are already enjoying it. Its called "The Principle of the Path," By Andy Stanley. Now, if you are like me and read this title you will immediately be turned off. Read the back, and you might be turned off even more. The title sings too much of those cheesy self help books. Or, worse yet, one of those awful prosperity band wagons from a couple of years ago like "The Secret". You remember?
"The Secret to life is pure, unbridled optimism. Just say to yourself, there WILL be a parking space at the front of the mall, on a snowy day, 24 hours before Christmas day. Imagine it in your mind and consciously feel your car turning into the space directly in front of Macys. and Voila! it WILL happen"
Barf. I consider myself to be a relatively positive person, but even I know that the Secret to getting a good parking spot on Christmas eve lies only in parking my bum on the couch with a copy of Its a Wonderful Life and a cup of steaming hot chocolate.
For this particular book however, I did keep reading. I have alot of respect for Andy Stanley, the author, and just wanted to make sure he hadn't gone off the deep end. And, despite the title, he hasn't. The book is a walk through a principle that he has discovered as a minister over the past 20 something years. He suggests, that after years of hearing all too many tales of divorce, bankruptcy, broken friendships etc etc., that he has uncovered an underlying life principle that weaves its way through all of them. In fact, this principle, when properly leveraged, can lead us to be people who have wonderful marriages, pristine finances and a plethora of devoted friends.
His principle is this :
Direction, not intention, determines destination.
Think about it. You'll have to buy the book to learn more. Or, if you cozy on up to me I might just lend it to you when we finish. But consider this: People don't wake up one morning and say to themselves "I want to go into financial ruin today" Nor do they stand on the altar of their wedding day and say "I really want to screw this up." But, as we walk through life each day we take steps that lead us on a path. We snap at our spouse. We put it on the credit card even though we don't have the funds to pay it off. We continually ignore the phone call from a friend. add these activities up, day after day and year after year and that puts us on a path financially, relationally, etc. Conversely, if I save money each pay check, eat an apple each day instead of a bag of chips and take the time to call a relative I will likely be on a path in the right direction.
Its common sense, I know, but I never thought about it in this way. I don't intend to be 40 and unhealthy. But if I don't exercise, go for regular check ups, and eat more vegetables than I do chocolate cake, the doctors all guarantee us that I will most likely be seeing them more often than I would like to by the time I reach the big 4-0.
So, it seems we are taking this idea to heart. Its time to put on the running shoes. On November 20th (my 27th birthday, incidentally), Galveston will host its first annual running festival. Some friends have joined us and we are looking forward to getting healthier together. Stay tuned - we'll keep you updated on our progress!
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| new kicks :-) |
Monday, August 16, 2010
Welcome to "Maison Beck"
Welcome to Galveston!
When you visit (Emphasis on "when," not "if"), you can take part in the following, authentically Texan activities!
Thanks to the Beck family and the Parker family for kicking off the mass exodus. Come one, come all. You might just find you want to stay for good :-)
When you visit (Emphasis on "when," not "if"), you can take part in the following, authentically Texan activities!
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| Eat exorbidant amounts of Texan BBQ in inviting atmospheres Deer head = WELCOME! |
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| Take in a fiery red Texas sunset |
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| Discover how local restaurants keep a beer cold in 80% humidity and 100 degree heat Enter - the ziploc bag of ice? odd, but helpful! |
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| Copious Refreshment |
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| A comfy nights sleep |
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| Undying affection |
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| An authentic Texan Shower - complete with Texan flag |
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| Help the Becks discover a few perks to living on an island, in Texas, in the summer heat - crashing the resorts! |
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| Southern Entertainment: Gospel Brunch at the Houston House of Blues - GLORY! :-) |
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| mmmm. Andy's BBQ'd ribs |
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| And, most important, Good company! |
Thursday, August 5, 2010
My List
So I read a blog recently where a woman details what she calls "Her List". She got the idea from someone else's blog - thus clearly the world of viral idea sharing via the "blog nation" is now a reality for this Yankee Texan blogger too. I thought this was a great idea - how many of us have little things (or big things) in the back of our minds that we so badly want to do but stuff them back down because the often louder voices in our heads suggest that the bank account is not big enough, the dream is too big for my small life, or we just don't have the time.
There are often legitimate reasons not to shoot for the moon in one fell swoop (see $126.32.) but I think its important to dream big. You never know what doors will open up for us to walk through where we might check off some of these boxes along the way.
So here's my list so far. A little intro: I didn't want to just put things on there just for sake of putting another item on there. Like "run a marathon." Yea, thats a pretty big feat...but this is NOT on my life "dream" list. I run to stay in shape. I do not like running dozens upon dozens of miles. I have no desire to run 26.2 miles all at the same time. on the same day. So I just ain't gonna do it, dag nabbit! Running a marathon did not make the cut.
I tried to choose a few things that have been on my heart for sometime, and a few things that I think would be really cool to do. Some of them are long term goals. Some of them are things I could do with relative ease when the opportunity arises or when I choose to make them happen. I may add to this if and when something comes to mind that sticks. I also put a few things that I did in the past on there that were things I really wanted to accomplish and did successfully! Its helpful to look at a list that already has a few check marks on it, doesn't it? :-)
Anyway, I think this is a really good start! It will be fun to update along the way if and when I get things struck off the list.
1.Do a Triathlon May 2010! Combat Triathlon, Texas City Texas.
2.Bicycle Across the United States Bike and Build, Central US Tour, Summer 2005. VA Beach, VA to Cannon Beach, OR.
3. Adopt a Child
4. Travel to Central and South America
5. Spend a day on a real operational shrimp boat.
6. Renovate a historic home or build our own home. (depends on if we settle urban or rural. and if the Andy man is game for it. ha!)
7. Write a Book.
8. Become conversational in another language
9. Finger pick a beautiful song on the guitar
10. Do a long hike - Appalacian Trail? Who knows. Something like that.
11. Go to Alaska
12.Wash someone's feet. June 7, 2008. Our wedding day! And still washing... :-) (John 13:1-16)
13. See U2 in concert
14. Own a business. either a coffee shop or a bookstore.
15. Own a house that is powered completely by either solar panels or a windmill.
16.Be a Collegiate Rower/Row competitively at the Head of the Charles Rowed 2002 - 2006. Head of the Charles competitor in 2003, 2004, 2005. AWESOME.
17. Deep fry a turkey
18. Learn to Scull with skill. (Row a single)
19.Adopt a dog that worships the ground I walk on. :-) Adopted Nellie in August 2009.
20. Ski/Snowboard in Colorado or New England.
Do any of you out there have a bucket list? Any of you done anything on my list?
There are often legitimate reasons not to shoot for the moon in one fell swoop (see $126.32.) but I think its important to dream big. You never know what doors will open up for us to walk through where we might check off some of these boxes along the way.
I tried to choose a few things that have been on my heart for sometime, and a few things that I think would be really cool to do. Some of them are long term goals. Some of them are things I could do with relative ease when the opportunity arises or when I choose to make them happen. I may add to this if and when something comes to mind that sticks. I also put a few things that I did in the past on there that were things I really wanted to accomplish and did successfully! Its helpful to look at a list that already has a few check marks on it, doesn't it? :-)
Anyway, I think this is a really good start! It will be fun to update along the way if and when I get things struck off the list.
1.
2.
3. Adopt a Child
4. Travel to Central and South America
5. Spend a day on a real operational shrimp boat.
6. Renovate a historic home or build our own home. (depends on if we settle urban or rural. and if the Andy man is game for it. ha!)
7. Write a Book.
8. Become conversational in another language
9. Finger pick a beautiful song on the guitar
10. Do a long hike - Appalacian Trail? Who knows. Something like that.
11. Go to Alaska
12.
13. See U2 in concert
14. Own a business. either a coffee shop or a bookstore.
15. Own a house that is powered completely by either solar panels or a windmill.
16.
17. Deep fry a turkey
18. Learn to Scull with skill. (Row a single)
19.
20. Ski/Snowboard in Colorado or New England.
Do any of you out there have a bucket list? Any of you done anything on my list?
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