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I heard Travis was re-taking the Quantitative Section of the GMAT, so I looked up some sample questions. (HINT - For the answers click and drag across the blank area below each question, like highlighting text)

Math multiple choice :
For which n is the remainder largest when the number 817,380 is divided by n?
(A) 4
(B) 5
(C) 6
(D) 8
(E) 9

Answer: The correct answer is (D). 817,380 is divisible by all the numbers in the list except 8. Hence, 8 must give the largest remainder because it is the only one that is not zero. To start, 7,380 is divisible by 5 because it ends in 0. It is divisible by 2 because it is even and by 4 because 80 is divisible by 4. However, it is not divisible by 8 because 380 isn’t. In addition, the sum of its digits is 27, which is divisible by 3 and by 9. Because it is divisible by both 2 and 3, it is also divisible by 6.

Data sufficiency:
If x is an odd integer, is y an odd integer?
(1) The average of x and y is odd.
(2) The average of x, y, and (y + 1) is an integer.

Answer choices:
(A) Statement (1) is, by itself, enough to enable you to answer the question, but statement (2) is not enough.
(B) Statement (1) is not enough, by itself, to answer the question, but statement (2) is enough.
(C) Combining statements (1) and (2) provides enough information to answer the question.
(D) Either statement, by itself, provides enough information to answer the question.
(E) Neither statement contains sufficient data to answer the question.

Answer: The correct answer is (A). Statement (1) alone tells us more than we need to know. Simply knowing that the average of x and y is a whole number is enough to tell us that y is odd, since the only way for the average to be a whole number is for the sum of x and y to be even. Thus, if x is odd, so is y. Statement (2) alone is not sufficient. If y is odd, then y + 1 is even; and if y is even, then y + 1 is odd. In either case, x + y + (y + 1) is the sum of two odds and an even, which must be even. There are many even numbers that are divisible by 3, giving an integer for the average.
Good Luck Travis. Happy Studying :)

Big news!

Hey Evertons! Last night at 8:45 pm I got engaged! We're both flying to Portland this weekend, so you will be able to meet her then. We'll be getting married on August 18th at 9:30 am in the Oakland temple... Her family is from Auburn, CA-- just outside of Sacramento. Sometime in the future I'll send out a request for everyone's address. We'll have an open house in Portland on the 24th or 25th. You are all invited to the sealing, of course. I realize not everyone will be able to make it, but I'm sending you all fancy, frilly invites regardless. I hope all is well! I'll see some of you this weekend!

UPDATE!!!(From Zach... April 24th)
I found THIS PIC of Kyle and who I think is his Fiance on his myspace. I don't know there were lots of pictures of things on there. Looks like she could maybe play softball... i think.

Target was on fire yesterday

Yesterday as my shift was coming to an end black smoke began to fill up the Washington Square Target. We had to evacuate the building. I wish i had some kind of heroic story to tell about pulling two small children from the flames of death that were consuming the store. But i really don't. After we escorted all of the customers outside i did run upstairs to grab my bag and my keys so i wouldn't be stuck there all day like all of the other employees. So that is my exciting news. Stay safe!

This picture doesn't exactly show the "true" nature of the events that occurred...

How I Can Hate the 'Music Industry' and Still Love the Music

The music industry is full of contradictions. People that seem to be able to write the most gathered, and poetic songs, just so happen to have the most screwed up lives. People who sing professionally are also chain smokers. Artists who rely on keen motor skills to perform adequately build addictions to depressants and intoxicating beverages.

So many times I have watched artists climb the charts while pursuing the ugliest of self destructive behavior... but no matter how many times Scott Wieland goes into rehab for his heroine addiction, he comes out and starts a band that once again gets played every hour on the radio.

But this stuff doesn't really bug me that much... I can see how the few people that reach the level and pace of superstardom could start to self medicate in order to curb the edge a bit (though I am in no way condoning such behavior). What really chaps my hide... what really fills my tank... what really bakes my bread... is the fact that the music industry seems to require that artists have dedication enough to master the most difficult of instruments... and yet, musicians are the flakiest people I know. HOW DOES THAT WORK?!?!?

In addition... With an art form like music which is so dependant on true and heartfelt expression, why is it that the music industry is so based on exploitation of these feelings for the highest gross profit? Why can't a company be interested in me or my band enough to give us a chance, without bleeding us of every potential penny of profit? They roll into town like the savior of all garage bands promising friendship and success for hard working musicians, saying things like: "We LOVE your sound, it is very unique" they say "We want to do YOU a favor... We'll let you play 5 songs in front of 10 major label talent scouts... all you need to do is show up and play (and then under their breath) and pre sell the mandatory 100 tickets at $12 a piece. Don't worry if you can't presell that much you can just pay us the money. $1200 is the 'meager' sum. All of which you will never see a red cents worth of again because... we're doing you a favor." With friends like these, I'd rather be antisocial. It's a heck of a lot cheaper. At least when I end up with nothing to do on a Friday night, I'd still have my money.

Despite the continual disrespect, I am here... taking its neglect and exploitation full force in the chest, because: I love the Music.

It moves me. It inspires me. It explains my happiness, and understands my sadness. It cures my boredom, encourages my creativity. Like these songs I found today (see below). Be they serious or be they not; I had a great time listening to them today. I hope you do too. I'm not sure where this Blog is going other than that. Music is great even if the industry is the spawn of all that is greedy, lazy, overproduced, and underappreciated.

MEEKY ROSIE - FOREVER

JOSE GONZALEZ - CROSSES


APPLESEED CAST - FIGHT SONG


GOGOL BORDELLO - START WEARING PURPLE

Lady Jane Has Arrived

So, stop me if you've heard this one. A dad gets a frantic call from his wife-- "It's time, honey!" He rushes around grabbing overnight bags, dropping the kid off at the sitter, and starts to head for the hospital with his wife bleeting "He He He He, Hoo Hoo Hoo Hoo" with increasing intensity. Realizing that his wife is literally minutes from having this baby, he drives like a mad man, weaving in and out of traffic, running red lights, horn blaring through intersections, and screeches to a halt at the hospital doors just minutes before hearing the first cries of the newborn child. Scene from a melodrama rerun on Lifetime you say? Oh no, try the day April 6 in the life of the Travis and Margaret Evertons.

Seriously folks-- Margaret was one false push from having the baby in the back seat of our car. Her water broke the minute we left our townhouse complex. Thank goodness for Trish being there-- she talked her through the contractions and kept her from pushing using lamaze tactics. When it dawned on me how serious the situation was, I tested the limits of my speedometer, hitting the maximum 110 mph on the I-15 (I blew by a cop going 90-- he didn't do a thing). I dropped Mar and Trish off at the emergency exit and went to park the car. I grabbed the bags, ran to the hospital, and by the time I reached room E405, my daughter had already been born: Jane Everton (middle name still TBD).

What a contrast to our last delivery, where Will and Margaret both suffered through a 26 hour delivery. With Will, Margaret pushed for almost 2 hours. With Jane, Margaret pushed for 30 seconds (1 push folks-- that's all it took!) Margaret had been hoping that she would delivery naturally this time, and she certainly got her wish.

Mom and baby are doing great. Lady Jane weighed in at 6 lbs. 10 oz., and measured 21 inches long. She's got a tuft of reddish brown hair and puckers her lower lip like her brother Will. She's bright eyed and alert-- her adrenaline probably still rushing like ours from the whirlwind afternoon we all had. We couldn't be happier and look forward to bringing her home on Easter Sunday.

A True Country Western Wedding

I just thought you all might enjoy seeing a picture from Dustin & Kristi's wedding. It was very western as you can see by the steer head behind them. The reception was decorated with saddles and cowboy ropes and rusty milk cans, etc. All the men in the family wore black wranglers and boots with vests and Stetson cowboy hats on. It was just how Kristi wanted it and she was thrilled. Shawn played the guitar while she walked down the aisle. I enjoyed having a little more time with my family since the funeral trip was so quick. This was also a happier occasion. It was very different being there and Grandma Connie not there. We spent a lot of time in her home because Luke and Rowdy and their families stayed there so we'd go there and play games after their kids went to bed. It had the feel of our family reunions but an emptiness without grandma there. For now they are leaving her home as is and not taking anything out. They want people to be able to go there and enjoy the home with all of her stuff still there. I got to see all of Lynda's kids and spent a lot of time with them. They all asked about all of you.

Stanford? part 2: The long wait is almost over...

No, this is not Travis posting the results of his laborious quest for the best of the best MBA schools. It is little ol' zach in humble ol' Portland announcing that tomorrow is the day when Travis hears from Stanford. If you want to get any last prayers in I suggest you do it... Soon.

We're all pulling for you Trav.