Welcome and Intro and Such

For those of you are reading this for the first time and have no idea who I am or why I'm doing this, allow me to do a bit of introduction. My name is Chris Henchey, I am from Melrose, Mass, and I am a rising junior at Ohio Wesleyan University (OWU for short). I am a geography major with an intended minor in German Studies, and a 3-season runner (cross country, indoor, and outdoor track; I basically never stop). Now normally, when one sees that a college student is going to the West Coast during the summer, they assume "Oh, ok, going for some fun on the beach, looking to meet some nice guys or girls (depending on your preference), I see what you're doing." Well, it won't be all fun and games while I'm out there for 4 weeks. Through the school, I have received what's called a "Theory to Practice Grant", which is basically taking what you learn in the classroom and applying to field research in a subject of your choice (as long as it's reasonably well thought out). So, I'm headed to Portland and Seattle for 17 and 11 days, respectfully, to study the effects of public transportation (light rail, streetcars, commuter rail, Amtrak, etc.) on urban growth and development through a process called rephotography (which is using an old photograph and taking a new photograph in the same location to assess change). So 80% of this trip will be dedicated to this research project, the shooting, the processing, the riding of all those trains, the analysis, ok you get the point. But is this all work and no play? That's no fun. Not one bit. Of course there's going to be touristy crap I'm going to participate in. Well, maybe not those bus tours or tours that go in water as well as on land...yeah not a big fan of those.
So, this is the location for an informal take on all my project progress while on the West Coast, as well as any other random thoughts that might pop into my mind. Tomorrow (which is now today) well, I start to make my way west, but I won't even make it halfway across the country. I'm only going to reach Indianapolis, which is home to a good friend of mine. And I will proceed to chill in his basement for 5 days and eat food and watch Red Sox-Yankees. Oh, right, and his grad party is on Sunday. That's all I have for this evening. Good night and have a pleasant tomorrow (or so).

(Note - The author likes the use of parenthesis. A lot.)