I'm Dennis Papp

Take great notes.
It will all be on the test.

I had a friend once who labeled me as "systematically random." It was a polite way of expressing frustration with the fact that I seldom do the same thing twice.

Kim, my wife, has a love/hate relationship with my cooking. She loves the end results. She hates the fact that I never follow a recipe and never write down my latest twist on an old favorite. Every meal is an original creation, never to be experienced again.

Blogging has helped me to be systematic for the first time that I can remember. I've tried journaling. I have notebooks full of first days and pronouncements of great intentions.

Since I started blogging, I have seldom missed a day or taken too long a break that was not purposeful.

I enjoy writing. Blogging has helped me to discover that. I also enjoy conversations. I knew that before, but have developed some great friendships in this space.

It is said opinions are like belly buttons, everyone has one (and some are deeper than others). I share my views here, often passionately, but don't let that scare you away.

I enjoy engaging in meaningful conversations and learning from anyone who will give me the opportunity to hear their perspective.

I do need to warn you up front, I excel at typos. I try. I really do. It is God's little way of reminding me that I am far from perfect and still have a lot to learn.

About Field Notes

Why the name Field Notes? The "authorities" at Wikipedia say, "Field notes refer to various notes recorded by social scientists during or after their observation of a specific phenomena they are studying." Sounds like a blog. Observations...sometimes insightful, sometimes random, sometimes funny, and sometimes serious...notes on what's happening in the field...the field of life.

I am fascinated with Lewis and Clark. If you've never read Undaunted Courage by Stephen Ambrose, get a copy and get reading. It's been one of the best reads of my life. Meriwether Lewis was an amazing man. His field notes of their journey were meticulous, reflecting an incredible spirit of discipline as well as an amazing eye for the smallest detail.

We're all on a journey. Keeping field notes help us to track our progress, record our memories, detail our findings and dream about adventures yet to come.