08 Feb 2009 #0906.html

AquaRobonaut

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Dear Family and Friends,

Welcome to this week's "Thoughtlet."

These words are my personal diary and a weekly review of ideas, beliefs, thoughts, or words that will hopefully be of some benefit to you: my children, my family, and my friends.

"Chess move summary for the week:

I beat a game and when I attempted to invite the player to another game I did not fill in his name. The result was it went out to the world at large as someone looking for a game. It took a long time to ignore all of the games offered and to have them withdrawn. Hopefully I learned my lesson.

Monday morning I sent an e-mail to Michelle Schmidt, my personal Chase Banker, telling her I am going to hold up requesting a loan. She responded that this sounds good. Sarah Johnson sent her monthly photos to the Ceiva and so I sent a thank you note and got a nice response back. I went into Layton's office after lunch and spent from 1-5:00 PM working on their Copano Bay prospects. I stopped by Dick Coons place on the way home to get a status on his East Cameron opportunity. Dick had found a quarter-mile Teledyne 2-D grid of seismic, which he had in his files. The opportunity is looking better and better to me. Monday night was the latest installment of "24."

Tuesday morning there was the following e-mail note from Randy Bruner when I got home from my run/walk:

"Roice, Daniel asked me to visit with you about one item on your most recent invoice. He noticed that you charged for the two hours you presented your Dynamic Measurement concept to Dan, Ted and myself. I think we probably view that in a similar way as other outside proposals. We usually don’t pay to have people present their ideas and this might be similar to that type of deal. I just want to be sure we won’t hesitate in the future to look at your proposals. I guess this probably looks like we are being too picky. I think we have been willing to be agreeable to most of the things you have proposed. I don’t want this to be a big issue and that’s why I wanted to bring it up versus Daniel. Let me know what you think. Thanks for the Copano Bay information. RJB"

I did 2 1/2 times the amount of work I was authorized to do. So cutting out a few hours simply reduced the number of hours credited to February's bill. I revised the invoice and resubmitted it. Turns out they paid against the original invoice. Even little companies do things funny. Oh well!

I sent a note to Jiafeng telling him I was surprised he has not responded to me regarding my previous two e-mails. Also called him and he did not pick up the phone. Frustrating.

Robert Shirts had sent a note out about Global Climate change, and I took too long on Tuesday morning to write out a response for him. This is what I sent:

"Robert, I basically agree with the link tied to your question: "The founder of the Weather Channel is ridiculing Al Gore over his calls for action on global climate change, saying in a column that global warming is a "hoax" and "bad science." John Coleman, now a weatherman at San Diego's KUSI, wrote on his station's Web site Wednesday that Gore refuses to acknowledge the faulty research on which the idea of global warming is based. Coleman's lengthy scolding came as the former vice president and Nobel Peace Prize winner addressed the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and urged lawmakers to pass a bill that would put caps on heat-trapping gases and take the lead on a global climate treaty. Coleman wrote that the Environmental Protection Agency is "on the verge" of naming CO2 (carbon dioxide) as a pollutant, and that seemingly all of Washington is on board with such CO2 silliness." "I am totally convinced there is no scientific basis for any of it," Coleman wrote, describing the decades-old theory that increasing the amount of carbon dioxide in Earth's atmosphere leads to global warming. "Global Warming. It is the hoax. It is bad science. It is a high jacking of public policy. It is no joke. It is the greatest scam in history," Coleman wrote." Robert, I'm not sure why you think I am a little biased. I assume it is because I work for the oil industry. Remember, the oil industry provides a product, and people decide how to use that product, like whether to drive cars or not, or whether to redesign our cities around people instead of cars, like the Plat of Zion rather than the urban sprawl of Frank Lloyd Wright. Along these lines, in 1970 I became obsessed with changing the way we build our cities, and this is the common theme of my work through Walden 3-D, Inc. (http://www.walden3d.com). I've learned, through sad experience, it is pretty hard to have much of an impact. Of more personal relevance, I started a monthly blog in August of 1996, and have written a bunch of comments about your question over the years. A comment relevant to the implication I am biased regarding global climate change, which has the further implication being I have sold my soul to work for the oil industry, is somewhat addressed in the last paragraph of the thoughtlet dated 14 Jan 2007 (http://www.walden3d.com/thoughtlets/2007/0702.html). I do have several specific thoughts regarding the current climate change mania. First, it appears there is currently some global warming occurring. We were in Switzerland a few years ago and my missionary companion showed us specific examples of how far the glaciers have retreated. Second, the geologic record is a record of vast climate change. Milankovitch Cycles are 20,000 years cycles which have been tied to ice ages (sea level drops of 200 feet) and periods of warming (glaciers melt and sea level rises 200 feet). In general, when the climate is hot and sea levels are high (High Stands), there is a flourishing of biological growth. Since Noah's flood we have been in what is called a High Stand. Yes, the sea level could rise some tens of more feet in the next century, and it could just as easily drop. As important as mankind thinks we are, these global cycles are outside of our control. How many years ago did we have movies about New York City being engulfed in glaciers? Note the amount of CO2 which was put in the atmosphere from Rita, Katrina, Ike, and the other hurricanes over the last hundred years from rotting trees and salt water damaged marshes greatly exceeds the amount of CO2 that automobiles have put in the atmosphere since their invention. Third, I'm not so sure mankind has had much to do with this current warming. There is a much better chance sun spot activity has caused the changes. If we take the current arguments to their limit, we need to rewrite the demise of the dinosaurs, as discussed in the third paragraph of the thoughtlet dated the 16th of February 2003 (http://www.walden3d.com/thoughtlets/2003/0307.html). In thinking about this over the years, I have come to the conclusion mankind has had an impact on our current climate issues. Specifically, when the Egyptians cut down all of the trees on the southern side of the Mediterranean Sea 2,000-4,00 years ago, and mankind domesticated goats which ate all of the grass. Mankind literally created the current Sahara Desert. This desert has expanded significantly over the last 50 years, and the dust is blowing to the Caribbean Sea, and killing the reefs, which are the most significant sink for CO2 on the planet. I documented this in a letter to Dr. John Lienhardt, which was copied in a thoughtlet dated the 16th March 2003 (http://www.walden3d.com/thoughtlets/2003/0311.html). As mentioned in this e-mail to Dr. Lienhardt, I also think mankind can have a positive impact today, by planting Mesquite Trees to reverse the growth of the Sahara Desert. I find it interesting I mentioned the osmosis which allows Mesquite Trees to survive in my second thoughtlet (http://www.walden3d.com/thoughtlets/1996/9639.html). (I really do need to get a search engine for anyone in the family who wants to search the thoughtlets.) In summary, my concern about the Global Warming discussion was summarized in an e-mail I sent and documented in the thoughtlet dated the 10th June 2001 (http://www.walden3d.com/thoughtlets/2001/0124.html). One of the best books in providing a reasonable perspective on the current climate warming discussion is by an economist and is called "Cool It." The author points out we will spend billions of dollars with cap and trade and might save 1 polar bear over the next century. However, if we reduce the licenses to kill polar bears, it will cost a few dollars and will save tens to hundreds of polar bears per year for the next century. Yes, I think the current discussion is based on bad science and the product of politicians striving for power through creating unfounded fear. Of course, what do I know. I thought I was going to have $500 million to pursue producing waxy oil in the Unita Basin, and the guy who had signed the letter of intent had a heart attack and died and the whole program we had discussed evaporated. I expect most of these discussions outside the basics of faith, repentance, baptism, and The Holy Ghost similarly evaporate. Best Regards, Roice cc: Andrea "

Links to above comments:
http://www.walden3d.com
http://www.walden3d.com/thoughtlets/2007/0702.html
http://www.walden3d.com/thoughtlets/2003/0307.html
http://www.walden3d.com/thoughtlets/2003/0311.html
http://www.walden3d.com/thoughtlets/1996/9639.html
http://www.walden3d.com/thoughtlets/2001/0124.html <

Robert wrote back to me and said:

"Thanks Roice, My comment on you being biased was a tongue in cheek thought about you working for the oil industry. I hope it came across that way. As far as the global warming, it is very confusing to me. Randy emailed me back and called Coleman a crack pot and that "he is not a scientist and has no credentials in any area other than journalism." (I would send you his response but I get irritated with people who send other peoples e mails without their permission.) My response to him was: A person like me who hasn't kept up with his science since Biology in 11th grade doesn't stand chance of understanding all the facts that are thrown around. With all the "experts" on both sides who pound their chests and claim they have the answers and the evidence to back it up, a common guy like most of us just turns it off after a while. It doesn't matter if it is global warming, the fluctuation of the cost of gasoline, or the cause of the failing economy and or how to revive it,.There are so many opinions and doomsdayers out there that people like me have a hard time sorting it all out. The internet just makes it worse. Every opinion is readily available and it seems like the more far out the ideas, the more some part of the media latches onto it and broadcasts it as the one and only absolute truth. Some crackpots are instantly recognized, but others talk in sincere tones and comfortable phrases that makes people want to trust them. It is tough to sort it all out. It is hard to know who to trust and who has a secret agenda. With global warming, I don't think anyone can doubt the affect man has on the environment. Polluted lakes and smog attest to that. It seems like I was talking to you about the cycles the earth goes through and how much affect that has on the temperature of the earth. I never hear about that in the news. It is all about man produced causes. It is almost like they are thinking if man would just go away the earth would return back to normal. " I do appreciate your thoughts. I haven't taken time to click on all the links and read them. I thought I probably better do that on my own time rather than work time, so I will send this to my house and read through them there. Sorry the Uintah basin thing didn't pan out. Janet's family is too!!! We hope all is well in Houston. I don't think I have heard the official plans for the wedding in March. I am not sure I can make it, but I will look at the dates. Robert"

I also confirmed with Doug Harless the demonstration of Robonaut next Tuesday morning. I spent much of Tuesday and Wednesday working on the AquaRobonautSM web pages (see http://www.walden3d.com/Robonaut).

Tuesday afternoon from 12:45-2:15 PM Wulf Massell and his G4 team (Geology, Geophysics, GIS, and GPS) plus Don Vossler gave their presentation on the Wharton County Bushy Creek 3-D survey they have been working up. Good presentation. They want to work up areas where there are 3-D surveys at their own expense and then bring the drilling opportunities to Layton. Looks like a win to me for Layton Energy, and Randy seemed to agree. We will see what their proposal looks like at the end of the day.

When I got home Andrea joined me and we took some chocolates to Catlin Binko, who had come to Sunday School with a broken/cracked wrist from an accident on the basketball court. We gave the candy to her Dad and did not see her, so hopefully she got it.

Wednesday afternoon I sent a note to Doug Harless telling him I had finished updating the AquaRobonautSM web site http://www.walden3d.com/Robonaut. I think it turned out pretty good.

Jim Siebert put together some good information on filing for patents, which I moved to the DML website. This was follow up to a meeting we had on Monday morning, where we explored options for the next step for Dynamic Measurement.

John Boyce sent a warning about calls to 809 area code, which I think is worth passing on to all of you:

"FAMILY AND FRIENDS THIS IS IMPORTANT. We actually received a call last week from the 809 area code. The woman said 'Hey, this is Karen. Sorry I missed you--get back to us quickly. I have something important to tell you.' Then she repeated a phone number beginning with 809 area code. We didn't respond. Then this week, we received the following e-mail: Do Not DIAL AREA CODES 809, 284, AND 876. THIS IS VERY IMPORTANT INFORMATION PROVIDED TO US BY AT&T. DON'T EVER DIAL AREA CODE 809. This one is being distributed all over the US . This is pretty scary, especially given the way they try to get you to call. Be sure you read this and pass it on. They get you to call by telling you that it is information about a family member who has been ill or to tell you someone has been arrested, died, or to let you know you have won a wonderful prize, etc. In each case, you are told to call the 809 number right away. Since there are so many new area codes these days, people unknowingly return these calls. If you call from the U.S. , you will apparently be charged $2425 per-minute. Or, you'll get a long recorded message. The point is, they will try to keep you on the phone as long as possible to increase the charges. WHY IT WORKS:The 809 area code is located in the Dominican Republic . The charges afterward can become a real nightmare. That's because you did actually make the call. If you complain, both your local phone company and your long distance carrier will not want to get involved and will most likely tell you that they are simply providing the billing for the foreign company.You'll end up dealing with a foreign company that argues they have done nothing wrong. Please forward this entire message to your friends, family and colleagues to help them become aware of this scam. AT&T VERIFIES IT'S TRUE: http://www.att.com/gen/press-room?pid=6045 SNOPES VERIFIES IT'S TRUE: http://www.snopescom/fraud/telephone/809.asp"

I did not check the links.

I spent all day Thursday at NAPE (North American Prospect Expo). This has really grown since Rick Zimmerman took me to the first NAPE down at The Galleria (see ../9904.html and ../9905.html) and all of the things I have done relative to NAPE since then (see ../0020.html, ../0106.html, ../0126.html, ../0203.html, ../0205.html, ../0305.html, ../0306.html, ../0402.html, ../0406.html, ../0451.html, ../0505.html, ../0506.html, and ../0704.html). This was my first time to go to NAPE as a purchaser of Prospects. It certainly provides a different view of the opportunity. I saw Frank Lott and John Bernard. Spent some time with Dan Cook. Chuck Andrews mentioned several times how I had warned him about working with these guys. I assume it is the Mormon Ponzi Scheme warning. I also saw Scott Thornton and Andrew from Roc Oil. They asked how I am doing, and I replied, "Well I have almost recovered." Andrew said: "What did we do to you?" I replied that I had put a lot of work and effort into my agreement with John Doran, and that it evaporated when he died. They told me the company is much different than it used to be. For instance Kevin Hird has resigned from the company. Also, the merger with the other Australian company changed the culture a lot. There were 48 rows with up to 100 booths on each row, and I went to all of them except about two rows in the middle, the 1200's and 1300's. I was late leaving because I could not find the camera. And I just ran out of time. Did not even stop to eat lunch, just ate chocolate and water (and stopped loosing weight on this day). One big surprise was that Texas Independent did not have a booth at NAPE this year. And this brought to mind an interesting fact: The Hutchings-Kelley #2 well (see 0901.html) was drilled on the same 3-D seismic survey that Rick Zimmerman had me work up for him for free several years ago (see ../0547.html).

When I got home there was a note from Albert Boulanger forwarded an e-mail from a friend who met up with Bill Resley. Bill was at Mobil, and went to work for Landmark after getting a recommendation from me. We did several things together, especially with HyperMedia (see ../9717.html">, ../9810.html">, ../9945.html">, and ../0033.html">). What a small world.

Friday I was planning on working at home. I called the office to ask Kelly (the receptionist) to give a disk to one of Wulf's partners if he came in. Turns out there were investors from South Dakota in that day, and Dan expected me to give a presentation to them. So I went in about noon and spent from 1-4:00 getting ready and then talking to these farmers from South Dakota. The presentation I give is called "The Evolution of a Prospect." Every time I give it I rework part of it to tie into the interests of the audience. For instance, I added some slides from Chris Singfield from his image server showing x-ray displays when I gave a presentation to some medical doctors who were considering investing in Layton Energy. Since these were farmers, I started out with a Google image of Dad's farm (see 090206a_farm.png), followed by a close-up of the house with a comment about how big the lawn was, especially when mowing it with a push mower (see 090206b_lawn.png). Then a zoom out showing the location of the Iron Mines, the Coal Mines, and Cedar Breaks (see 090206c_area.png ), and a further zoom showing The Southern Great Basin and The Colorado River Basin and listing some of the National and State Parks in this area (see 090206d_basins.png). I made a comment about understanding farming because I grew up before sprinkler systems when watering was done on the back end of a shovel in an irrigation ditch. When I said it was natural for me to become a geoscientist because of the geology I grew up around, one of them quipped, "And it probably had something to do with not being on the back end of that shovel." It was fun interacting with them. On the way home I stopped and talked to Dick Coons about the East Cameron opportunities. Turns out he found a copy of a 3D seismic he has which is over the area of interest, and which supplements the 2-D grid referenced above. It is a really good Prospect.

Bishop Harlan sent a note with someone looking for someone with strong M&A (Mergers and Acquisitions) transaction experience who have evaluated the commercial viability of US, on-shore producing properties. His friend was looking for someone to be President of a small company who will acquire producing properties. I told him I fit the description, finances is not my strong suite, and I'm not interested. Then I passed it on to Dave Johnson, who wrote back:

"Roice, I am not a direct hit on this opportunity, but I do have M&A experience from GOK. It might be worth talking to the recruiter to better understand the job, then I might be able to suggest someone. In any case, here is my CV which you can pass along and see if they want to talk to me. I am heading out to Kenya on Tuesday for 2 weeks with my son. Congratulations on your discovery, hope there is some good followup for you. Thanks, Dave J"

Sent a note to Ed Rogers with Good News and Unfavorable News. There were several notes back and fort with folks wanting to collect the money for the formation of Dynamic Measurement and the license agreement. Ed has run good interference for me. Hope we can get all of this behind us soon.

I also sent a note to Kevin Hird acknowledging I learned at NAPE he left Roc Oil. There was an immediate "Out of Office Reply" followed by a nice note saying his equity in Roc Oil is wiped out and he is helping a large company build it's small E&P business. I sent back a note and told him about the Energy Technology Exchange. He has not responded to this yet.

Called Larry Cathles at Cornell and talked to him about AquaRobonaut. Larry passed on some very interesting work he has been doing in subsea mining. He sent me some papers presented by a retired professor Steve Scott from Toronto who is a consultant to the subsea mining industry. I talked to Dr. Scott, and he sent me some information, including that I needed to contact Nautilus Minerals to use their material. This discussion solves the issues that had come up in my mind when I went to the ASPO meeting regarding the decline in the availability of precious minerals. There are plenty of precious minerals, or as D&C 104.17 says "For the earth is full and there is enough and to spare." These minerals simply need to be mined subsea. The implications for AquaRobonaut are really quite astounding. I did not put much information about subsea mining in the web pages for AquaRobonaut (see the last sentence of http://www.walden3d.com/Robonaut/plans.html).

Saturday morning we went for our walk around the block and then we finished digging the red rocks out of the rock garden. I trimmed the Mimosa Tree in front. Then I took some candy to the two boys in my Sunday School Class who have yet to attend. Andrea and I had accepted an assignment to work at the Houston Temple in the laundry. Dave and Rachel Williams and Andrew from Brisbane were there. It is always fun to talk to folks and to get to know them better while doing this kind of work Andrew is a landman for Shell, whose wife is a granddaughter of York Jones of Cedar City. York was honored at the same SUU ceremony as Andrea's Dad, and has since died. Then Andrea and I went to our monthly temple session. We ate dinner at the Japanese - Chinese place by the temple. It was a nice day. When we got home there was an e-mail from Thane Hafen:

"Thane invited you to join the Facebook group "Santa Clara Ut Hafens". Thane says, "I started a new group on FaceBook for this elite group of people, send to all you know. Thane". To see more details and confirm this group invitation, follow the link below:

http://www.facebook.com/p.php?i=1562657317&k=6WGU2VVXUXYM5FDCQGZ5X4

Facebook helps you find and keep in touch with family, friends and colleagues. You can share unlimited photos, plan events and join discussion groups. It's free and everyone can join. To register, go to:

http://www.facebook.com/p.php?i=1562657317&k=6WGU2VVXUXYM5FDCQGZ5X4&r

If you're receiving this email and are already a member of Facebook, please make sure this email address is associated with your Facebook account. Thanks, Santa Clara Ut Hafens"

On Sunday the Ward Choir sang in Sacrament Meeting. I wrote the following two possible stanzas for Prime Words:

"Public Relations: The church needs friendship Who will speak up for us Like the unexpected support Following the passage of Proposition 8 (a) (a) Linda Nuttal, Katy Stake Public Affairs, NCW Sacrament Meeting, 08 Feb 09 Prayer: We need to pray We also need to Do practical things Which support our prayers (a) (a) Hugo Morales, High Council Speaker, NCW Sacrament Meeting, 08 Feb 09"

I was missing four kids from my Sunday School class. Grace Harlan was ill and so I took Sister Harlan's class. Class did not seem to go near as well as the previous weeks. Oh well! Hopefully it will go better next week.

Paul sent a nice note regarding the thoughtlets and how far behind he is on his e-mail.

We talked to Melanie and she told us stories about Colby reading "Gospel Essentials." When he got to the chapter on chastity he asked what the word meant, and Melanie told him he could skip that chapter. Then he was reading about how parents are suppose to be firm and nice, and said "Mom, you do OK on firm, and need to improve on the nice." Colby also has a list of things to do before he turns 12, like go to a cemetery. When they read about going to An Old Folks Home, Colby said: "We did that when we visited Grandpa and Grandma." Then when he read about meeting a hero he said, "We've done that Grandpa's a hero." It is pretty easy for me to visualize Colby and Ethan and Grant in the future controlling AquaRobonaut."

Since the 38th week of 1996 I have written a weekly "Thoughtlet" (little statements of big thoughts which mean a lot to me). Until the 43rd week of 2004 I sent these out as an e-mail. They were intended to be big thoughts which mean a lot to me. Over time the process evolved into a personal diary. These notes were shared with my family because I know how important the written word can be. Concerned about how easy it is to drift and forget our roots and our potential among all of distractions of daily life, I thought this was a good way to reach those I love. It no longer feels right to send out an e-mail and "force" my kids and my family to be aware of my life and struggles.

Everyone has their own life to lead, and their own struggles to work through. I will continue this effort, and will continue to make my notes publicly accessible (unless I learn of misuse by someone who finds out about them, and then will aggressively pursue a legal remedy to copyright infringement and I will put the Thoughtlets behind a password).

The index to download any of these Thoughtlets is at http://www.walden3d.com/thoughtlets, or you can e-mail me with questions or requests at rnelson@walden3d.com (note if you are not on my e-mail "whitelist" you must send 2 e-mails within 24 hours of each other in order for your e-mail to not be trashed).

With all my love,
Dad
(H. Roice Nelson, Jr.)

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Copyright © 2009 H. Roice Nelson, Jr.