Just Talk - Go Birds [VII]

 Just Talk - VII

The Gang Flies to Minnesota, 2018 Colorized

    Now, at this time, I was a wee child. I was around ten years old when I watched my Eagles win the super bowl for the very first time. In fact, it was around this time when I realized that I would love football for the rest of my life. This is kind of filler content, but I thought I'd make up for the lack of me posting anyways. But I love my Eagles. It fits. And what are Eagles? They're green. Like trees. So it fits. But either way, I just wanted to reminisce on the joyous occasion that was Super Bowl 52 and how there will never be another occasion like that ever. So, for anyone who watches this in Philadelphia, this one's for you. 

Jalen Mills

Just Talk - Ms. Lewis [VI]

 Just Talk - VI

The Most Polarizing Figure Ever

    This title is misleading. Have you ever woken up with a terrible migraine? Then tripped down five flights of stairs and land head first into the concrete? Then had you limbs sawed off and your eardrums rattled by petulant screaming? Well congratulations, you have experienced one fourth of the Ms. Lewis experience. I lament your situation of course, but in terms of comparison, nothing can compare to the absolute debauchery of Ms. Lewis' class room. It makes no sense half the time. There is no consistency in the way she operates, which causes numerous complications and failings within the educational grounds. She has a poor temperament, is lazy, and uses ChatGPT for our assignments. Which, in my eyes, is grounds for firing. Then she has the audacity, after showing up late over and over and skipping out on school, to say that she's done a good job. The problem is, she is constantly switching attitudes day in and day out; she's very polarizing. One moment she's laid back and the next she's on you like a drill sergeant. And there are no grounds for us to comprehend her expectations when she does it; we just have to guess what she wants from us. Overall, she might be the worst teacher I've ever had. But then again, her class is free so who really cares.

Ms. Lewis Lookalike

The Weekly Tree Report - 5/6/25

 The Weekly Tree Report

5/6/25, Delayed Again!

    Life really hits you fast. I started this blog when I was young and I am still young. But, time has passed. It feels like my entire junior year has passed within a blink of an eye, even though most of that can be attributed to having Calculus BC to start my day. That class goes by so fast I don't even know what is happening half the time. But regardless, with the end of the school year, I really hope to expand this blog more than I did before. The view count has gone down significantly, but it's ok. I write for myself after all.

May Showers

    The saying goes "April showers bring May flowers," but I don't think that is true anymore. For one, May has been the stormiest it has been in awhile, while I can't recall a single shower during April. But I did see a lot of beautiful flowers.

    My favorite part about spring is in fact, just about that. The flowers. They're so nice to look at and they smell great. That's two senses that nature always appeals to. Well, not all the time, but you get my point.

If A Tree Falls

    Now all trees fall. Whether by chainsaw or by tropical storm, these beauties will eventually succumb to a concept known as decay. Of course, this is inevitable. But, when a tree does fall, if no one is around to hear it, does it make a sound?

    Physically, yes. It should. Anyone with a basic elementary level of science knowledge knows that a falling tree makes sound, especially if you are there to witness it. But even then, when no one is around to hear it, it does indeed make a sound.

    But what about philosophically? What can we take away from this question? 

    Now I've always been a deep thinker with shallow intentions. It is up to you to determine what that means, but just know that when I think too long, if often does not make sense. There is no method to my madness; there is no derivation to my mind's equation. To me, this question is a lot more simple than what I am insinuating. You see, trees fall all the time. But are all trees aware of the existence of every other tree on this planet? No chance, because some trees live at altitudes of thousands of feet in the air, while some trees probably live underwater that we just don't know about. There is no feasible way that this could be true. Same thing with human culture. We are probably not aware of every single society and we definitely do not understand the intricate web of cultural relations between every single spot on this green earth. Yet, we still try our best, because trying our best is what our species has been taught to do.

    Trees have also been taught to try their best. Plant a tree in a precarious spot and nine times out of ten it will find a way to survive. Rather than give up by being hidden away in shade, trees will lean out to the sun, potentially weakening their structure but giving their best effort in order to achieve the most out of their precarious position. This happens all the time in a forest; small trees often have to adapt to the much larger trees taking up all the shade. It's why nothing really grows underneath larger trees, and why trees grow with a significant lean.

    But when a tree inevitably falls down, it definitely does make a sound. Even when no one is there to hear it. Mother Nature always bears the pain of losing a beloved tree, because while us humans may not understand the entire compass of life, Mother Nature is what drives life itself. That's why certain extremists see humans as a pest on this world; Mother Nature, when given the chance, can take places that from decay and disruption back to an idyllic world if given enough time. The complexities of life, and how life grows and dies, is all understood by Mother Nature. So when a tree dies, when a tree falls, when a tree finally photosynthesizes for the last time, Mother Nature will notice. Ever see a nursing log in a forest? That's Mother Nature's response to a fallen tree; where a tree once stood is the place for more trees to grow. And as it turns out, natural wood decays into really fine soil for trees to grow on. 

    Even when no one is around to hear a tree fall, Mother Nature is always there.

Vincent's Garden Update

    Costco has decided to start selling Japanese Maples in Texas. I think they've done it before, but I can't be so sure. Because I have never, ever, ever ever, seen a Japanese maple in Costco. But, low and behold, I got my hands on a Crimson Queen cultivar; it could be a Tamukeyama cultivar, but they're so hard to distinguish that they might as well be the same tree.

    This beauty of a tree is fairly young, but I don't expect it to grow very large either. Weeping lace leaf variants, especially weeping variants, take decades to even reach the approximate size of a three year old oak tree. Also, the Texas weather can be archaic at times; one minute its burning hot, the next it's a snow storm. As a result, I wish to keep this tree in a pot so I can move it around in case of terrible weather.

    Technically now, I am up to two Japanese maples, but I want to head back because I also noticed some coral bark Japanese maples. My dad especially wants that one because it's green; funnily enough, I like the red ones and he likes the green ones. But, I'm sure, if we have time at least, I can visit Costco in time to pick at least one more Japanese maple before they're gone. Because let's face it, these ornamental trees are so popular that I do not believe that they will be on the shelf for more than a week before being sold out.

    Also in Texas, Japanese maples are hardly ever grown. People are already aware of Texas' crazy weather, but the fact is that they really don't do great here. It's always hot in Texas, after all, and Japanese maples are more acclimated to the north. Think Jersey, think New York. Then think Texas. But still, with the proper care, I'm sure a Japanese maple can survive. I just have to give mine a lot of shade and care.

Finale

    You know what's interesting. The fact that school is almost over. I want to go back to making daily posts, but the problem is I now have five AP exams to study over. But it's ok. I can find a way to make these blogs whenever I have the free time to. And I just want to thank whoever still reads to the end. I need to promote these blog posts better, but that comes fairly easily. But anyways, have a great day.

Just Talk - FIVE AP Exams [V]

Just Talk - V

Why May may be the Worst Month Ever.

    It's that time of the year again. Stressing over grades. Worrying about final exams. And now, above all else, having to cram for five separate AP exams over the course of just one week. I am cooked, fried, battered, sauteed, broiled, boiled, seared, grilled, tar tared, pan seared, and sous vided all at once. Essentially, I am screwed. But that's ok because at the end of the day, all I really care about is what comes next; the summer. I can't wait for summer, I really can't. Because I got back on the Minecraft grind again and for no real other reason. Also, I want a job, but beggars can't be choosers.

Just Talk - Kay's Cooking Deserves a Grammy [IV]

 Just Talk - IV

The Greatest Chef to EVER Chef

    Genuinely speaking, Kay's Cooking is the best chef I've ever seen. The technique required to produce food like she does is unparalleled in our modern world. With the flavoring of the Sahara Desert, the sophistication of an onion with one layer, and the techniques just like prime Stephen Hawking, the masterclass of cooking shown on Kay's Cooking YouTube channel deserves the attention of all. Better yet, you should really try to replicate her recipes. People often react to her, but not many dare try her merited recipes like "A Different Spaghetti Bolognese" and others. I genuinely believe that she is an anomaly of the modern era. With the resources that the majority of people have, it's so impressive to see a sweet person like her make recipes the likes of which haven't been seen since the Bronze Age. Cheers to Kay's Cooking for making absolutely gorgeous recipes, and we should all subscribe to her.

Just Talk - Papa's Scooperia [III]

 Just Talk - III

The Road to 1 Million Points

    Genuinely speaking, I don't think I know of anything more painstaking than this because you cannot just step away to get the points. You have to work. It's like a 9-5 for no reason. I don't know why I decided that this would be the best way to spend my time, yet I'm here regardless. The road to a million points on Papa's Scooperia is under way, and was supposed to be under way for multiple months now, but sadly my laptop reset progress so I had to restart. But under the alias Vietname, I am ready, as Captain Vietnam, to undertake the arduous process that is getting a million points in Papa's Scooperia. If there is any conclusion, though, its that hard work is absolutely meaningless when it is put into meaningless things.

The Weekly Tree Report - 4/14/25

 The Weekly Tree Report

4/14/25, Delayed!

    Like the gift that keeps on giving, another delayed blog post. You can expect blog posts at least once every month at this rate. But don't worry, with exam season upcoming for me, you can expect even less blog posts! Also, I need to work on advertising my blog. But either way, let's have some fun.

Augusta National's Loblolly Pines

    Very few people know I watch golf. I'm not a golf die-hard nor a patron, but I do love me some good putts on the green. This week, I had the luxury to watch the Master's Tournament on CBS, and as I watched, I saw the gorgeous scenery, and it got me interested.

    You see, the entirety of the course is full of these tall pine trees. Now, from a TV, it is very difficult to tell what kind of pine tree it is, but you know for a certain its a pine tree because of its bark structure and its needles and what not. I could also tell that it definitely wasn't a Monterrey Pine or an Italian Stone Pine, or any pine that has structure more close to an oak tree because all the trees were straight up. And by golly, they were gorgeous. There's a reason they call the Master's Tournament the best golf tournament after all, as the whole venue looks pristine. You hardly find a place as clean as that anywhere in the world, with its vibrant fairways and greens that is jarringly different to most American places around the world. It's like you stuck a golf course into a mystical forest; its incredulous and the amount of people who would die for access to the Master's Tournament is higher than you'd expect. I mean, ticket resale prices to attend and spectate can reach ten thousand dollars!

    Yet, the pines seemed to strike me the most. Beyond the luxury of the course itself, the beautiful groves of tall, idyllic pines and the greenery around was amazing. The pines were large and tall and were deep green, similar to the color of the grass at Augusta. And after a little bit of research, it turns out that 90% of the pines at Augusta are the beautiful and gorgeous loblolly pines. 

    Of course, these trees are cared for along with the grass. It's interesting to note how the pines have succumbed to natural forces, though. Recently, as most people have heard, Hurricane Helene struck through Georgia, leading to numerous pine failures at Augusta National. As a result, there seems to be a thinning of the trees, especially noticed on Hole 10 by players and astute patrons.

    But regardless, oh how I'd love to attend the Master's Tournament. I heard its a lottery system, though, so my chances are zilch.

Lion Tailing

    If only people looked up in the trees for any bit of second would they be concerned with what I am about to talk about. One of the biggest issues that I've noticed in trees and how people work trees is a topic known as lion tailing, hence the title of this section.

    So, what is lion tailing? Take a tree branch. There are always sub-branches that grow throughout the sides of the branch, and then there is always a bit of foliage at the end. What lion tailing is, or what it does, is you take away every other sub-branch and just leave the tuff of foliage at the very end, causing the branch to grow longer and longer rather than grow girthier and stronger.

    This leads to numerous failures in the future, as lion tailing is usually a repeated process that doesn't just happen once. The problem is, and you will learn this in physics, with all the weight at the end of the branch, the center of mass of said branch is much further away, creating more torque and leading to the branch potentially ripping apart from the tree, which is never good. Once lion tailing occurs, there is no easy solution to fix it as well. Because it is a repeated process over years and years of work, it is often irreversible and requires extreme measures, like harsh cutting, in order to prevent the collapse of the branch. 

    Please, and I so desperately beg. Do not, never ever, do this to your trees. You wouldn't even do this to a fruit tree, I promise you. If you want to top a fruit tree, so be it. But don't lion tail any tree because you will lead to its early demise. Once a branch tears from the trunk, that's it. There is no cure for long term decay and weakness, and when a branch tears, not only is it unsightly, but you will probably lose the tree you cherish sooner than you'd expect. Rot is real.

Texas Summers

    As a long time resident of Texas, I've come to recognize the dangers of Texas Summers. They're, simply put, not good for a tree. Any tree. I remember a few years ago when there was a drought in the midst of summer. Now, as a human being, I didn't really feel the effects of the drought. Maybe the air conditioning bill went up that summer, but besides that, nothing major. However, trees do not have the luxury of being indoors; not because they aren't welcome, but because they are far too large to sleep in a hotel suite.

    The major thing is this: lots of heat and no water is a recipe for disaster for a tree. This can lead to the branches becoming stiff or leading to tip dieback. Also, the drying of a tree can lead to more failures throughout the tree, as the tree stiffens up and added stress leads to branches falling. Flexibility is a huge factor when it comes to trees and their stability, and when that is taken away, the tree may fall over and die as well. 

    Everyone knows that trees need water too. While gardeners and avid homeowners will know to water the plants in their garden to ensure their survival in the hottest months, not every tree can be accounted for. While there are 8 billion of us, there are many more trees on the planet. And trees come in all sorts of sizes, from big to small and from wide to tall. Summer in Texas kills trees like one can't imagine; there simply isn't enough water for them to conduct photosynthesis and they succumb and die. Of course, this means that the strongest specimens will survive, but it also prevents biodiversity. Now, this problem is hard to notice; I mean, most of the trees you see naturally are cared for by some sort of private entity. But the ones in the forest are the trees that feel the most heat and suffer the most damage. 

Protect the Forests, but WHY?

    Everyone and their mother has heard about global warming. It's all over the news, its taught in classrooms, and you will always find some rampant unsettling activist yelling about it with a sign in hand. People are concerned with one thing in particular: too hot, and trees will die. And they're right. We really should protect the forests, but not for the reasons you'd think.

    Many people believe we are planting trees to give more oxygen back to the world, but truthfully, through scientific studies, trees don't contribute much to the amount of oxygen in our world. While they do use carbon dioxide to produce oxygen, they are not the main contributor. That would be algae instead. Also, planting trees doesn't actually solve the big-picture problem. Simply put, you can plant a tree anywhere on the planet, but what really matters are the forests. 

    Biodiversity. A word that many people have heard, and a word people definitely understand, but not a lot of people know how to conserve biodiversity. Everyone knows how important biodiversity is. For example, the drama with bees: people around the globe are becoming more aware and more concerned with the decline of bees. Bees pollinate plants and fruiting bodies that gives us a ton of the food we need to survive. Without these pollinators, we would lose a ton of food, lose numerous sections in the food economy, and cause a massive calamity for human kind. Yet, everything interacts with one another, and when something is lost, a domino effect occurs. It's why change is such an unsettling thing for our world. In a vacuum, losing a species of beetle or a type of tree may not seem consequential, but when we lose that species, we lose it for good, forever tipping the balance of our natural world. And Mother Nature will always respond when we do wrong. Always.

    So what's the problem with forests? We know we're losing them, but can't we replant a bunch of trees and call it a day? Not quite. I wish it were that easy. Simply put, forests have something known as chaos. In the grandest forests untouched by man, there are nursing logs fallen throughout, moss growing everywhere, vines, and tall trees and small trees and different types of trees. This leads to birds resting where old growth trees' tops fall off, animals taking shelter under hollowed logs, and so on and so forth. Just like a domino effect, when plants can grow and grow old and die, so too can animals. And these conditions of chaos diverge natural forests from man-made forests.

    Mr. Beast can plant as many trees as he wishes, but we cannot get attached to trees. Because when we get attached to trees, we often make decisions that are short-sighted. The thing we desperately need is forests, not just trees. We need biodiversity, not just trees. And to make a forest is something that takes centuries of repetitive growth and dieback. When a failure happens in a forest, no one is to intervene; you have to let nature take its course. Think Chernobyl. The second mankind left control to nature, biodiversity thrived and forests and animals returned. And there are ways to create forests from man-made forests; pull the trees down and make them fail! It sounds counterintuitive, but to create chaos from structure, you have to do radical things.

    Case in point, if you ever stumble across a man-made forest (which are often used for lumber), you will notice that there are no birds chirping and barely an animal in sight. There is too much structure and not enough regions for birds or animals to take hold anywhere. A wild animal will not survive where there are no trees to protect them from cover. A bird, due to the way the trees are grown, will not be able to perch along the branches of a tree. Because the forest is controlled by man, there is no uniqueness in the forest to grow diversity. Animals simply won't come. By uprooting the trees and leaving them, new plants will be able to grow where there once was no available sunlight, leading to more animals coming and, over time, rejuvenating a man-made forest to a true forest. It's a long and arduous process, but if we want to preserve the species we have on our planet, we should most definitely find a way to make more forests.

Finale

    I want to thank anyone who reads it in full, and takes consideration in the points I try to make. I hope we all strive to make the world a better place. And like Eminem, guess who's back? Not me, but its my inconsistency! Life is certainly getting harder for us all, no one can be sure of what's happening. But if you trust yourself and you know what you want, just go for it. Never live a life of regrets, but live a life reading my amazing blog. Thank you.

Just Talk - March Madness [II]

 Just Talk - II

THE ROAD ENDS HERE.

    March Madness this year has been fairly predictable and kind of boring. There have been tons of blowouts despite the heart of the tournament coming from buzzer beaters and massive upsets. Most of the favorites have won the, with only one 2 seed falling through the first two weeks, and all number one seeds making the final four. I wish my congratulations to the Florida Gators on beating the Houston Cougars in the national championship, winning their first title since Al Horford was on their team. 

    Now, to start the tournament, I had put everything on Gonzaga. While unwise, Gonzaga had a top ten KenPom rating and it was unwise to doubt Mark Few in March. However, the draw they had in the second round, against the runner up Houston Cougars, was a pretty bad one. It was a close game for sure, with the final score being tight, but Houston never let up throughout the entire game and had a lead for the majority of the game. 

    Once Gonzaga went down, the team I wanted to win the most was Arkansas. Simply put, they were the only significant upset of the tournament; they beat St. Johns in the second round to catapult themselves into the Sweet 16. However, low and behold, they choked a 16 point second half lead and fell to Texas Tech in overtime. These results in general weren't too unpredictable, though, as even though there was a lack of upsets, the top teams were generally considered levels above the rest. This was the first time since Memphis had Derrick Rose that all one seeds advanced to the final four. So, even though there was little madness in March this year, we did get the best Final Four in a long time.

    Auburn and Florida were the first to go at it. The game was close the entire time, but Florida being Florida, they came back from a first half deficit to win 77-71. The real madness came in the second game of the tournament, when Houston went on an 11-1 run against Cooper Flagg and the Duke Blue Devils in order to pull off the shocker of the tournament. At this point, Duke was considered the favorite to win it all. They had a lottery pick on their roster in Cooper Flagg, who was putting up stellar performance after stellar performance for the Blue Devils. Yet, it all came crashing down due to terrible closing play. Kelvin Sampson, a veteran of the game with over 800 wins, coached a masterclass and won the game due to his effective traps that led to numerous Duke turnovers in critical moments. And in the National Championship, Houston would be the choker instead of the one causing the choke, where Florida only lead for a minute and three seconds, yet won the National Championship anyways. Thus concludes March Madness, 2025.

Just Talk - The New Series! [I]

 Just Talk - I

What is this?

    Welcome to my new series of blog posts, named Just Talk! It's a short page where I will talk about things that occur in my life or anything I want to talk about. It's more of a "talk about anything off topic" kind of think so people can know what I am doing or what I am thinking of. This will not include any dates. Also, I may talk about things from the past that I find fun to remember or just things in general. 

[I] - Hunger

    I've been on a diet for a few weeks now. I am trying to lose a lot of weight (like 5 pounds, which isn't a lot). The annoying thing is that food is just so good. It's like pulling a Prime Icon Maradona every time you stick the fork in your mouth. I find it so hard for me to lose weight simply because I love eating. But that changed recently because of my efforts to restrain myself from playing Be Fat in real life. I am finally starting to lose weight and I feel absolutely no different than I did before. I don't know if I need to lose more weight, but I've lost five pounds already and I have some more to go but I feel no different. Then again, I wasn't ever very fat to begin with, no where near the threshold to make the 600 pound life show. But, the show must go on, and I will continue to lose weight.

The Weekly Tree Report - 3/25/25

 The Weekly Tree Report

3/25/25, Delayed!

    Is it even a weekly tree report anymore? Who cares, the name will stick regardless. I've been crowded with a lot of work and have chosen to focus on applications over my blog. Also, the March Madness tournament has just started, so I hope you understand. Anyways, I will also continue the garden advice. Have a happy reading!

Rhythm and Vibes

    I am no longer making sectional parts to my blog. I looked back and they made no sense. I mean, changing the section of text to the color I named in the header would not work harmoniously with the green theme I've chosen to use. But regardless, life moves on.

    Regardless of what you may believe, everything has a rhythm and a vibe. I like to watch trees sway in the wind; they move forward, they move back. It's almost peaceful if you watch long enough, like a long metronome against the spring breeze. Speaking of spring, now is the time to watch the flower bloom. What do you feel when you watch honeybees pollinate beautiful bonnets of flowers in your garden? Cause I can guarantee you that your feelings will not be the same as mine.

    I hate bugs. I hate all insects. They're the bane of me. They're the fire to my forest, the antithesis to my thesis, the e-coli to my chicken tartare. I cannot stand insects at all. They're gruesome beasts that fend off their territory by dashing about in chaotic and indescribable ways. You think of any world issue that's happening, I guarantee you that the rivalry between me and bugs is larger than the rivalry between Kendrick Lamar and Drake. 

Gardener's World: The Tour

    I missed some things that I should've gone over when I did my first garden guide bit. Let's start with some very basic things and move to more intricate ideas and concepts.

    For starters, fertilizer should be used with citrus plants, but make sure to not overdo it. Providing too much of something, like overwatering, can be just as harmful as not giving enough. Ensure that you do not cover the base of the tree in fertilizer either, and instead put it where the main stem of the tree can breathe to prevent basal crown rot. The type of fertilizer you will use depends on the type of tree you have, and each tree may respond differently to the fertilizer you use. Make sure to research the type of tree you have and search for the type of fertilizer that would work best for your tree. But keep in mind, not every tree needs fertilizer. It's just that citrus trees need a lot of nutrients if you want to have a good crop.

    I feel like I want to talk more about citrus in this tour. Let's move on to the type of tree you should get. Now, there are numerous climate zones that can determine what type of tree you should plant, or whether you should plant them at all. Specifically for citrus trees, you do not want to plant them in places that will freeze; the trees are very frost sensitive and may die if you do not accommodate properly. Zones 9 to 11 are considered the best zones, due to their warm climate, for growing healthy citrus trees. Citrus trees can also be sensitive to the sun light, and climates that are too warm for extended periods of time with bright sun can cause a condition known as sun scald. Like a sunburn for a human being, sun scald can damage leaves and fruit, but also can cause permanent damage to the bark of the tree. Sun scald to the bark is especially bad because it will lead to all sorts of conditions such as future decay and the drying out of limbs. So, even if a citrus tree is full of deadwood, try removing dead branches sparingly when it is not too hot and provide cover for the tree when it gets too hot.

    In other news, I myself planted a new peach tree where my old grapefruit used to be! As a result, I am hoping to reap a bounty of fruit by the time I exit college. That is, if it stays alive. I just think I have terrible citrus luck, but the weather in Texas is so unpredictable that it feels impossible to sustain trees in our garden. One day its chilly to death, and the next its warmer than the Sahara Desert. That is not the recipe to sustain trees. As a result, a different method of trying to sustain these fruit trees is to keep them small and in a pot so you can stick them in a controlled environment. You can also purchase LED lights to keep your trees fed while indoors because most of the time a house will not produce its own light. This is just a short little tour of what you can do to get a good citrus crop, and there will be more information in most posts.

    LIX, the Start of Spring

    Football ended a while ago. My favorite team, the Philadelphia Eagles, won Super Bowl LIX (59) in dominant fashion, being up 40-6 at one point and going on a 34-0 run to start the game, which is mental at any level of sport. To put that into terms for non football fans, its like lapping someone in a race about five times before the other person even takes a first step. Yet, with the end of the football season culminating in a huge victory, it also begins the start of spring.

Spring: :(

    Now, people have very differing opinions of spring, and for differing reasons. In my view, I actually don't like spring a lot, and the number one reason is insects. I am a huge insect hater, the biggest (both in size and in magnitude) hater of all. They're terrifying creatures with no predictability and they have the chance to attack you and harass you for hours on end. Being outside is no joke in the spring. Also, unexclusive to Texas but very prevalent are the notorious and despicable June bugs. Their name, to start, isn't even correct; they begin coming out at around early April and May when the weather warms up considerably. And they're like mini cockroaches. They crowd lighted areas and fly around and they're gross to start. But when they land on their back, because they have big backs, they just sit there and spaz out like crazy, struggling to get up. And they look even grosser, its a grim sight to see.

    But besides my ultra-hatred for bugs and insects, spring also brings more problems. For one, allergies; anyone with pollen allergies knows how annoying pollen is. Not to mention, pollen is everywhere in the spring, but you probably already knew that. My dad suffers from pollen allergies, and it gives him the sneezes and the sniffles. Some trees also produce residue that causes the floor to be sticky, such as the hackberry, which is very annoying to get on your shoe. It's also the spring season where students, like myself, become very stressed due to finals and testing and the end of the school year coming. Also, it rains a lot during spring, meaning you can't actually go anywhere half the time if you don't want to risk being wet or using an umbrella. Or, if you're in a drought, it means that nature will begin to die off due to a lack of water and it being hot as well. 

Spring: :)

    Yet, spring should be cherished. You already know of the scenic pictures where the sun is shining and the clouds are bright and beautiful and there are pretty light blossoms on the trees. Most of those pictures come during spring. Spring is probably the most beautiful season of all seasons, only rivaled by Autumn; summer is simply set in stone and hardly changes, while winter can be seen as barren, especially in areas with no snow like Texas. It smells lovely, especially the numerous flowers around the fields that pop up. Our family has a bit of history with invasive flowers especially, some came into our garden and grew in there for over three years before finally dying. But, in conclusion, spring is beautiful. It's a season of change, a season of growth, and there is nothing like it.

Final

    It's been a long time since I made a post. It's been far too long. Like Wiz Khalifa, it's been a long day. I've been busy with stuff of my own. But I am happy to say, that I, Vincent Nguyen, am back with the blog posts. I will make a few more this month to accommodate, but they will be shorter than normal. I may make all my blog posts shorter but add more quantity. But, at last, thank you for reading. Have a safe travel.

Just Talk - Fredoka One [Origin]

 Vincent Rant #1: Why Fredoka One Sucks

2/20/25 probably.

    I know people don't do the study of fonts. I never really but I used to do graphic designs. The number one problem I have is that some fonts are just used to be used sometimes. Fredoka One is the biggest culprit I've ever seen. You've probably seen this font before, in fact, if you've ever played a child's game like ROBLOX you have most definitely seen this before. The big, bold, rounded letters that seem more like comic sans than a serious font. It gives bubbly vibes.

    So why do I hate Fredoka One? It's simple, people keep misusing the font! I don't get why people decide to use Fredoka One on almost every GUI when other fonts would suit it better. I get why people use it. It's very recognizable and it's very eye catching and easy to read. But, let's give other fonts some love. Seriously. We do NOT have to be using Fredoka One for every single thing! Use a variety of fonts and be original, please. Please stop using Fredoka One to design every single one of your GUIs.

    It doesn't even look good. It's not professional at all. There are so many other fonts you can use to fit the theme you want. Even if you want a childish theme, surely there are numerous other fonts that you can use to stand out. But then again, I know very little about design, so take my word with a grain of salt.

The Weekly Tree Report - 2/20/25

 The Weekly Tree Report

2/20/25, Gracias!

    Is it really a weekly thing if it takes me nine days to create the next page on my blog? Oh well, who's counting other than me. It's been an eventful week to say the least, so I hope the stories you read will be fun and exciting. It's also almost March, and happy late Valentines day!

Section Red: Grandma's Tree

    A eulogy to grandma's tree. It once stood very tall and bright, but over time it fell apart. It was gorgeous as it swayed in the wind, yet it's time had come eventually. All that's left is stubs on stubs and a rot pocket.

The twilight of a once stunning tree, picture by yours truly.

    Don't you love trees though? I mean the cycle of life is really fun in a way. It's a domino effect when it to trees and as time goes on, trees die and trees grow. Isn't that fun?

    Its one of those things you grew to love as you visited Grandma's house every week. The tree was no doubt the largest shade, and it was old too! No doubt either that it will sucker out as all trees do when they're topped, but I wonder if this is a removal altogether. It doesn't help that the house is getting older and the roots of the tree would damage the foundation. I've already seen the evidence through cracks on the floor. But hey, it's the cost of growing a massive tree in the front of your yard.

Section Green: My Gardening Guide

    How would I start a garden? Good question. Garden work takes time and effort, and even when you do put in the commitment, nature can just flip you over and dunk you in the toilet. But never fret, the lifelong quest of gardening is something that will keep you on your toes when you're so senile you don't even have toes anymore! 

https://housefresh.com/the-most-beautiful-gardens-in-the-world-according-to-tourists/

    So let's begin. First, spacing is by far the most key thing when it comes to gardening. There is no point, zilch, if you do not have enough space to grow crops, plant trees, or even plot a greenhouse down. You'll only have the garden decline over time and end up costing hundreds of dollars trying to use temporary solutions to never fix the underlying problem. All plants need space, it's very ideal that you give a plant enough root room so that it doesn't complicate the foundation of your abode. Also, plan to create structures in order to temper the natural world around your plants. If you predict someday that it will snow, then you should try to build a roof over the crops. No crop likes snow, almost none even survive it. Also, be very aware of the potential hindrances surrounding any property. Electrical and power lines are game enders for inhabiting a beautiful tree due to regulations set by city protocols, and irrigation lines should also be considered in a garden as well.

    If you are going to plant a tree as well, be aware of the risks of growing a tree for a long time. Research the trees you are going to plant. For example, a citrus tree like a persimmon will not and can not be tended to in the same way of a coastal live oak or a red alder or a copper beech. No tree has the same requirements to flourish or nurture it. Also, know what the end product of the tree you are going to plant will look like. Essentially, species of trees can grow wider than they are taller, and vice versa. If you were to plant something like the common Texas evergreen oak, ensure that you have a decent amount of space around it so that the branches will not hit the house. You must also consider what the goal of your garden as a whole is. Are you trying to garner fruit? Then make sure you grow the fruits that acclimate to your area the best. Or, even better, use a green house to foster the growth of smaller fruit plants. Strawberry plants are very good when put in a green house, as it is not very hardy to the winter. Essentially, most fruit trees do not fare well in the winter, so try to protect them from the cold the best to your ability. That goes commonly with most flowering plants in general as well, such as the hibiscus. Most of the time, even in Texas winters, they die over the cold and we have to yank them out the ground again. Of course, there are many outliers, but the climate of your area will always dictate what kind of natural growth you can have.

https://www.idl.idaho.gov/winter-tree-care-protection-and-identification-take-2/

    Once you establish that, the rest comes fairly easy. Locate a local greenery or garden center and find the plants that fit your garden the best. Don't be too concerned about color theory, because in reality, its whatever looks nice around your humble abode rather than the artistic value. Plus, be aware that you may find some critters who may join you (or harm you) on your garden journey. If you really want to, you can find online vendors that sell trees that are fairly uncommon in your region. For example, one of the rarest trees you can find in Texas, and for good reason, is the Japanese maple. Now when I fly to Philadelphia, I always see those luscious, flamboyant leaves that sway in the wind, coming in blood red or hearty green. They're some of the most lucrative, expensive, yet gorgeous trees that Mother Nature has supplied us. However, they hate the heat. Texas, the world's finest panhandle, is also comparable to a pan on the stove. It's hot. Japanese maples don't do well, but if you truly want one, you can find a way to help it survive in different environments. When you decide which tree to plant, make sure that you do not cover the base of the tree in soil. This will cause the imminent decline of a tree due to a condition known as basal crown rot, which is a result of burying a trunk in soil or any substance really. Over time, the bark under the soil will soften and the wood itself will weaken, causing the tree to be at risk of toppling, or worse. Make sure that you do not bury your tree, and leave the main stem and buttress roots a good amount of area to "breathe" to prevent said basal crown rot. 

https://springvalegardencentre.co.nz/product/acer-p-oregon-sunset/

    Please be aware of the time commitment that a garden requires, especially when it comes to fruit trees. You should always pick fruit out as soon as its ripe, because if not, the fruit tree will keep pumping its energy into keeping the fruit and nurturing it as it rots, which is a huge detriment to your fruit trees. If you keep the fruit hanging on the tree, not only is it unsightly, but you could be harming your tree as well. As you nurture your garden, you'll come to know when fruits start to form and when they ripen, so make sure you accommodate some time towards your garden. Be aware of the conditions of your garden as well, and make sure to keep up with the weather in case a storm is coming or worse. All plants and trees are to be maintained to your liking, but to prolong your garden's life, you should avoid making too many decisions and allow the trees to grow on their own.

    Just like humanity, a tree can not survive without assistance. While it is recommended to hire a tree professional or arborist in order to check in on your plants and trees, you can do some fairly simple tasks on your own. For example, you can dead wood a tree, or remove the dead branches using a saw of any kind. Be careful to maintain the branch bark collar when you make these cuts, or just don't cut a branch too far back to where its too close to the main stem. Start out by cutting the branch around three to five feet from the main stem on the underneath side around half way. This is to prevent bark from tearing too far and accidentally harming your tree. Also, it is very important to understand that the ends of a tree are often the heaviest part, rather than the wood itself. If you are not careful while cutting a branch, you could end up with a torn limb of the tree entirely, which is susceptible to rot, fungal infections, and is all around unsightly. Once you have made your undercut, go around three inches further away from the main stem and cut on the top until the branch falls. Then, to ensure you do not have a stub left behind, cut the branch while maintaining the branch bark collar (the area in front of the swelling where a tree branches off) at an angle nearly perpendicular to the branch itself. A visual representation will be provided if the steps are unclear. Now, precaution is needed when cutting branches, but also make sure that you do not trample around the roots of a tree. Over time, this can cause damage to the integral parts of a tree's root system, such as the lateral roots that provide the tree with water and nutrients from the soil. 

Cutting diagram

    With that out of the way, the final part to maintaining a garden is acceptance and patience. Virtues in life, the real world, and life, the garden, often go hand in hand. There will be times where things go wrong. You're no Akinator, you don't know whether a tree is as rotted as you think it is. You don't know if hail is going to wreck your garden one day and pummel your infrastructure, or whether a drought will last for three months long. And while there are things you can do to protect your garden from dangers like these, you should acknowledge that you cannot attend to your garden all the time. Sometimes, you just have to learn to accept that when things go wrong, there aren't things you can do to really help the situation. However, by being patient with the processes, over time, your garden will slowly culminate into a beautiful jungle-like place if you simply have the patience to let your trees and flowers grow as nature intends. I wish you well on your garden journey.

Section Blue: Ampersand

    The tree world is a very fun world to think about. It's an interesting thought to wonder what it would be like to be a tree. If you were a tree, what kind of tree would you be?

Section Absinthe: Luka Dončić

    The feeling of letting go. It's a feeling I wish upon no one, but it's a feeling that everyone knows. May we pay peace to some of the fallen trees I've witnessed.

Farewell to the fallen trees.

There is a tree that fell over near an old abandoned property. It was uprooted for around a week before, obviously, the city took care of it. It was a large old oak. I saw a lot of pockets of decay and I was always curious on when the tree would succumb. Turns out it was sooner than I anticipated.

Section Veridian: Medium-Rare Steak

    The final section. My apologies for posting it a day or so later but it's fine. Trees are very beautiful things and I reckon that we should talk about them over a nice grilled steak.

https://www.heathrilesbbq.com/blogs/favorite-recipes/wagyu-denver-steaks-on-the-traeger-ranger

Section Finale: Integration by Parts

    I appreciate for those who read all the way down here. If you have read down here, the first person to comment what my third favorite tree is gets $5. I promise. Thank you for reading, have a great day or night. 

The Weekly Tree Report - 2/10/25

The Weekly Tree Report

2-10-25, Thank you!

    Time really flies doesn't it. This week has been special for me and a lot of others up north where the liberty bell rings, but I still must pay homage to the trees. I don't have a lot to monologue about, so Go Birds and here is my second crack at this.

Story 1: What's under the Durag?

    I realized a long time ago that I had actually explored the world a lot more than I had originally thought. I mean sure, I haven't really been many places, but I at least have had the pleasure (or displeasure) to experience California. I didn't take many pictures, but the trees there were fairly unique. I didn't go close to the massive redwood forests that I would've admired, but I did find a lot of invasive Eucalyptus blue gum trees scattered around the place. But it was dry. Grass was as dead as I've seen since the drought we had in Texas. I guess that's just California for you though. There were some nice palm trees I remember but I also remembered how poorly some trees were planted when it came to proximity. I don't know a lot about trees, but something tells me you have to give the roots at least the chance to breathe. They're basically trees submerged under a layer of cement, which is never a good sign. Also, I am fairly curious to wonder how many trees in California had fallen due to earthquakes.

My picture!

    California did have nice beaches and food though. I had a good time there, except the one time an earthquake tremor rattled us in the middle of the night. I'd say it was an 7/10 overall.

Story 2: Collapse after collapse after collapse

    I used to go to my grandma's house all the time when I was little. I still do now, but not as often as I did in the past. One of my key memories growing up were the many alder trees around 7 minutes away from her house that were all wild and not naturally planted there. It's wild to go back on street view and see how many of them there actually were, because wow. So many of them are totally rotted out, fallen down and disposed of, dead and removed, or clinging onto dear life. Alder trees don't help themselves by being susceptible to decay and falling apart either, and I have no idea why that street was lined with them. But one by one, they slowly age and fall apart.

[pic]

Google Street View

Story 3: The Dagger

    When I went to elementary school so long ago, I remember this one warrior of a tree. Now, all trees are warriors. Think about it. We cut their limbs all the time to "prune" them, and when we want fruit, we take their children and just eat them. It's a brutal world I tell you what. But there was this one tree that stood alone right by the traffic light for over five years after the rest around it were removed. It was covered in vines, barely alive, yet there it stood. Standing the testament of time itself, its limbs tarnished and roots probably compromised, but it stood. Until it met a STIHL chainsaw. Then I never saw it again until I found it on google maps by going back in time. So while the building of an apartment complex was the dagger for this tree, it will forever live in my memories as a true warrior.

The Dagger Tree, picture from me!

Rant I: Maddox

    I may be stupid, but surely you have to wonder why people plant their trees in such precarious positions just to remove them. I don't have a picture of the tree in particular, but if it really is that close to the building, why even put it there anyways? It's like trying to raise a chicken in the pits of hell; it simply does not work. It's a formula that's proven not to work, so why do people do it? I've seen redwoods, those redwoods that grow to 300 feet tall and 50 feet in diameter, planted smack dab rubbing against the house. Like how do you make that mistake? Surely you research the trees you want before you plant them?

https://kproofing.com/fallen-tree-damaged-my-roof/

Finale II: Keeping the count.

    Thanks for tuning in to the best thing you'll ever read. Forget Harry Potter, I'm about to make you fly with my next report. Which will be the same as this report. I wanna start keeping track of how many of these I've made with a finale counter, so that you only know what number you're on if you know roman numerals and if you read to the end. Perfect right?

https://www.tripsavvy.com/redwood-forests-in-california-1478739

Welcome to Vincent Nguyen's Blog!

Welcome to my amazing blog!

I) Introduction

    Hey, if you're viewing this, don't expect something too serious. I'm just a kid after all, and like all kids, I go outside and stare into nature sometimes. Well, I'd really hope people still go out into nature. But it's 2025 and I still remember COVID-19 like it was yesterday. Crazy how time flies, huh? Anyways, this blog is all about what I find in nature, whether it is memories from the past or things I have observed. Pictures may not always be present because I am an "in-the-moment" kind of person, but I will make sure to at least take a few for your viewing pleasure. The majority of the posts will be related to things I find in nature, most likely over trees, but flowers and stuff will be included. You will not get any expertise knowledge about how a tree grows this way because of that or how a bumblebee flies up and down to denote some extra specific behavior, but you will get my honest thoughts and opinions. Also, occasionally, I will put in some off topic posts such as other things I'm passionate about, like football or just a page to put things that are on my mind.

Forest Image from National Geographic Education

II) Who am I?

    I probably should have done this section first, but who cares. It is my blog after all. Not yours. But hey, I am Vincent Nguyen, an aspiring businessman but a mere 17 year old Travis Highschool student. Midway through my junior year, confuddled with a bunch of AP classes, I really wanted to make a blog of nature. Since I was a wee child, I was obsessed with nature (trees, specifically), sitting down on the rustic computer hour after hour watching trees and their patterns and behaviors. Over time, I have slightly developed a pattern recognition for trees, and I felt that now was the perfect time to gather my thoughts to make some thing to look back to when I'm a old guy speaking of "back in my day" lines. So here I am, ready to report about what trees I find and speak weekly to an audience of close to nil.

III) Consistency

    Now, I am not the most committed person in the world. That I will admit. But, I will try to make a post once every week at minimum. It's called the Weekly Tree Report for a reason after all. This is my venture and I hope to make it work, well, for my own sake. No one's investing in this, I promise. 

Image from Business Horsepower

IV) What to expect from Off Topic posts

    While the On Topic posts are easy to explain, off topic posts don't really follow any sort of format. They're just in the moment stuff, like shower thoughts or taking notes of real time events in real time. They will always have a tag in the title stating [OFF TOPIC] for the very few viewers to understand that hey, this post will NOT be related to trees and nature. They will be sparingly made though, so don't expect to see that many off topic posts.

V) Conclusion

    There isn't much to sum up for the viewer. Just read, have fun, and have a laugh, and that's all I hope from you. Thank you for reading Vincent Nguyen's blog, you're a special select few who muster enough to get this far, to which I say that you are very cool. :D