tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-82683414825356381162024-02-21T19:19:46.411-08:00Time? What's that?Lake Central Theatre Companyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15976541342745601680noreply@blogger.comBlogger32125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8268341482535638116.post-25343252024172759432010-01-03T12:35:00.000-08:002010-01-03T12:42:55.428-08:00A New Year; A New BeginningYes, the title sounds trite, but this year it holds a special meaning for me. Every year we make resolutions, only to break them. Every year we all complain about our jobs, our friends, the government, etc., and where does it get us? Nowhere!<br /><br />So this year my "new beginning," or resolution is to be more optimistic about things. Times are so tough for everyone it seems, so why complain? As I write this, hundreds of my colleagues are lamenting going back to school tomorrow after two weeks off. I choose to look back and say "Wow, thank you God that I get to do something I love and get two weeks off at Christmastime to relax and celebrate!" Of course, we teachers do work VERY hard and often long hours when school is in session, but that is besides the point. I also am very thankful to God that I still have a job when millions are out of work right now.<br /><br />Now does this mean that I'm going to be a Pollyanna and never get bothered by things? I'm only human, so the answer is no! But what I can do is fight the good fights. Change what I can (or try very hard to do so!), accept that which I cannot, and ask God to help me know the difference!<br /><br />So to my reader out there, Happy New Year!Lake Central Theatre Companyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15976541342745601680noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8268341482535638116.post-84637275797076272822009-11-28T14:55:00.000-08:002009-11-28T16:49:44.503-08:00Getting My "Phil" of PhillyOk, so that was a rather cheesy title, but all of you who know me, know that's my personality! Last weekend I promised that I would upload some pictures of my sightseeing at the NCTE/NWP conference in Philadelphia, so here we go!<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglmeaPYko5yAnCQuwnJ_fxdrr4iRIWS1Rk4AWEIZBkhi2zJ3zSHQGlY8WuSd3IPyk3VbFj2x5aYZmQBRacx0MjaGH7Ao0S_b_uCwBpO4lyaCGo420LsqMnpPAAMI-tf9MuXx2isnKg42o/s1600/PB180281.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglmeaPYko5yAnCQuwnJ_fxdrr4iRIWS1Rk4AWEIZBkhi2zJ3zSHQGlY8WuSd3IPyk3VbFj2x5aYZmQBRacx0MjaGH7Ao0S_b_uCwBpO4lyaCGo420LsqMnpPAAMI-tf9MuXx2isnKg42o/s320/PB180281.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5409302660925564018" border="0" /></a>The Philadelphia Mint, where they print money. So tempting, but I resisted!<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpCcXiCuETGOgiihNvRA1EXKAOgi2K8809F0NF8LjyoMN_AUEdlanA3uT3HD8G1jwWeIXdzqZzJUl139QlnRudQhzMT0FJUX2LWQwGBiWPVdTYrqauOHkWD8XOIezhrGv50d_gX2yKzrs/s1600/PB180293+%282%29.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpCcXiCuETGOgiihNvRA1EXKAOgi2K8809F0NF8LjyoMN_AUEdlanA3uT3HD8G1jwWeIXdzqZzJUl139QlnRudQhzMT0FJUX2LWQwGBiWPVdTYrqauOHkWD8XOIezhrGv50d_gX2yKzrs/s320/PB180293+%282%29.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5409302668280436322" border="0" /></a>This is Christ Church, one of the oldest in the country, and where Congress used to meed before conducting the business of the Country. Many famous early Americans were also regular parishoners. This is a night view; I toured it during the day though.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8WCZCrE5AzkXi8TlBgmUPYkOdmBUQK1y0GVRpoOuHXSRaQS1Z-v241gdFY8N_m_T0HwnReT2qJN7Mh-83O-_MDireykopr_kAzgKZGnpNex_j8GxG8MmxcYiSJV6XbAeeJN1KwSXTNVE/s1600/PB180274.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8WCZCrE5AzkXi8TlBgmUPYkOdmBUQK1y0GVRpoOuHXSRaQS1Z-v241gdFY8N_m_T0HwnReT2qJN7Mh-83O-_MDireykopr_kAzgKZGnpNex_j8GxG8MmxcYiSJV6XbAeeJN1KwSXTNVE/s320/PB180274.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5409297508135318610" border="0" /></a>Christ Church during the day.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7GNZPtnzXzSKqK_LfEKMvlewsLlafsjDXWa9JZ-uJGR2rjVWMpD2LYCh3KSwspq5RHG-Iz2CZPYBjpUS1WucFVNpr2XDOYra_wGUn7WHhycN2gOWDMODaRbEK58KA9uvTn3jFg6XjSow/s1600/PB180273.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7GNZPtnzXzSKqK_LfEKMvlewsLlafsjDXWa9JZ-uJGR2rjVWMpD2LYCh3KSwspq5RHG-Iz2CZPYBjpUS1WucFVNpr2XDOYra_wGUn7WHhycN2gOWDMODaRbEK58KA9uvTn3jFg6XjSow/s320/PB180273.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5409302651396491746" border="0" /></a>A view of the pulpit of Christ Church. There are two plaques that hang on either side of the pulpit: one is inscribed with the Ten Commandments, the other has the Lord's Prayer.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEYy1B90K_0BC_y-Hj-KdsmGNzuGW9FtmvpMSRX-avo3LTTmTEwna3tBNXkN_SB01ak9me4jTcprMtXlXQCULLumlxyaJWel4XbOMC6cloVP6YEn3u-2bRPeU7LmUJejv1YDTXLc4-HwI/s1600/PB180270.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEYy1B90K_0BC_y-Hj-KdsmGNzuGW9FtmvpMSRX-avo3LTTmTEwna3tBNXkN_SB01ak9me4jTcprMtXlXQCULLumlxyaJWel4XbOMC6cloVP6YEn3u-2bRPeU7LmUJejv1YDTXLc4-HwI/s320/PB180270.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5409297501071748722" border="0" /></a>Looking up at the choir loft from the pulpit. Though I love the architecture and ornateness of the Byzantine Rite, the simplicity of the Early American Christians is equally amazing.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi44GHErWAIMt4i4jryZMa3GABVMJPvyBe4Z0qwwRorQhmsohPuCCPnfeum7GaV2WphsYXA81g44giaLCJwDTh-9ai5bbq3fWK6a-PCnH0ljdkWxY62OFRZi9b0isv3jPw3v50GS1Yt27I/s1600/PB180312.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi44GHErWAIMt4i4jryZMa3GABVMJPvyBe4Z0qwwRorQhmsohPuCCPnfeum7GaV2WphsYXA81g44giaLCJwDTh-9ai5bbq3fWK6a-PCnH0ljdkWxY62OFRZi9b0isv3jPw3v50GS1Yt27I/s320/PB180312.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5409302647919296962" border="0" /></a>This is the first bank of the United States. It was actually run by the government, which made me think about current circumstances. The plaque on the building says that a national bank was controversial, and after its original charter expired it was never renewed. Now the building is used for the parks department and isn't open to the public.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbGaMh8mKkYTkPrbwldi3krm1vWlgi8vzzafRGl_G3g9PBaW4Kt4Cz3l8GwoGMi8xY3RMRm0E1qkVK22phh15bmJp5Wh5atBYsauyvdjnlyfvUqKFKWGYDgJ8DG_k4MDi9QKfzOX8D_OE/s1600/PB180293.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbGaMh8mKkYTkPrbwldi3krm1vWlgi8vzzafRGl_G3g9PBaW4Kt4Cz3l8GwoGMi8xY3RMRm0E1qkVK22phh15bmJp5Wh5atBYsauyvdjnlyfvUqKFKWGYDgJ8DG_k4MDi9QKfzOX8D_OE/s320/PB180293.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5409297518250824482" border="0" /></a>Here is Besty Ross's house. I did tour it, but no pictures were allowed. All I have to say is that place was TINY, and a couple of families lived in this one little building! It makes for an interesting comparison to today's Americans who desire humongous houses<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh674eXkhD9cGL9QqhtnMMPbma1ph4hvKTYNhJPtYJvY7cHOjST7hRRgB_E13WX-DnkZuI5Ekf1Oh9Vqk3_MgREoaX3ZXXoTjmEmEH6xTWiuP7RgquM1sFlkPPZHir0LuSu_l83i4n09_M/s1600/PB180297.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh674eXkhD9cGL9QqhtnMMPbma1ph4hvKTYNhJPtYJvY7cHOjST7hRRgB_E13WX-DnkZuI5Ekf1Oh9Vqk3_MgREoaX3ZXXoTjmEmEH6xTWiuP7RgquM1sFlkPPZHir0LuSu_l83i4n09_M/s320/PB180297.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5409302672668727922" border="0" /></a>Several streets in the historic district still have brick pavement. I rode in a charter bus as we went from the hotel to the convention center, and I became much more grateful for even roughly paved asphalt roads!<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWz-xgwDLx63Kk5Ih4EVVH9lt2V_Dd8t0s_vrg9pvZwSLziJEyHY194bmVXBPmZcFgLThWY4skfT5NFDNLi8caNE3kM8sw8Ge6QqGMgQPhaghYf5y6fiYTqsAYZ7kHt4CYerNfMJana-4/s1600/PB180291.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWz-xgwDLx63Kk5Ih4EVVH9lt2V_Dd8t0s_vrg9pvZwSLziJEyHY194bmVXBPmZcFgLThWY4skfT5NFDNLi8caNE3kM8sw8Ge6QqGMgQPhaghYf5y6fiYTqsAYZ7kHt4CYerNfMJana-4/s320/PB180291.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5409297514014364594" border="0" /></a>This is probably my favorite shot from the weekend. I tried to get a daytime picture of this, Independence Hall, but I was too close. But on Saturday night, as I was walking back to my hotel, was a block away from it, and got a perfect shot! <br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1paIEgkunbQe23F2_huC2AIaVsXWReMqvQyDnntbqasOFnMi8sD9nyDRYjcX7IlphPWiqQGhRnG3wiEEDw3suFXBacglvCp1JIVcvlckVcbZqmgQQKmXROWFnODPqi0AIZVwBbGriPbM/s1600/PB180300.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1paIEgkunbQe23F2_huC2AIaVsXWReMqvQyDnntbqasOFnMi8sD9nyDRYjcX7IlphPWiqQGhRnG3wiEEDw3suFXBacglvCp1JIVcvlckVcbZqmgQQKmXROWFnODPqi0AIZVwBbGriPbM/s320/PB180300.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5409297524886087986" border="0" /></a>If you look closely, the name of the building on the awning reads "Mr. Bar Stool"! Yes, there is such a place!<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcoZX-lpviPosPcJTIzWzOzedx74bU7-CkfPut2K6f-NZgTOAhU5mH9Ktm6vbu1tDJmKKyn9uIFCs-GxnpfPGpbUq2vSC63mHiyWRCI3lcXNh1McwzDDI-uq5Xy_ffHVhKMqBcUKjyjuQ/s1600/PB180303.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcoZX-lpviPosPcJTIzWzOzedx74bU7-CkfPut2K6f-NZgTOAhU5mH9Ktm6vbu1tDJmKKyn9uIFCs-GxnpfPGpbUq2vSC63mHiyWRCI3lcXNh1McwzDDI-uq5Xy_ffHVhKMqBcUKjyjuQ/s320/PB180303.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5409305307249066738" border="0" /></a>They are only open on Sundays? Man! I was hoping to bring home a few!Lake Central Theatre Companyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15976541342745601680noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8268341482535638116.post-199705155788492732009-11-21T18:01:00.000-08:002009-11-21T18:12:40.771-08:00Saturday Night Reflections on NCTESo for me the conference is effectively over; tomorrow at 6:30 AM I begin my sojourn back to Schererville. I'm always a bit sentimental at this point in time because these three days have really helped reinforce for me why I do what I do. Not only do I get to attend some great workshops and see some big names, but I also get to reconnect with people that I see only at this conference. <br /><br />But so as not to get too teary-eyed on my reader (notice the singular form!), I'll just re-cap this weekend with some key things I've learned:<br /><br />1. I'll be sure to keep finding hotels with free breakfasts. I saved good money each day!<br />2. Wireless connections in hotels are not always as good as what I have back home. Case in point: it took me about an hour to upload pics yesterday!<br />3. The 10%/30-second rule for copyrighted material is not actually law, and we all have more rights than we thought when it comes to using it in the classroom. Don't believe me; let me know and I'll tell you.<br />4. Barry Lane is much shorter than I thought. I had heard he was short, but he's short. That doesn't take away from his awesomeness though!<br />5. I need to buy a better camera. I tried taking some pictures from 100 feet away from the subject, and I ended up with horrible pictures! <br /><br />Luckily I did get a lot of great pictures, and next weekend I'll put together a pictorial of my adventures here. But to Carrie, Carla, Nancy, and Art, thanks for a great little reunion at the Robinson Dinner. It truly is a highlight of the weekend. <br /><br />Orlando, you may think because you have Disney World that you can handle large crowds, but just wait till NCTE/NWP descends in fewer than 365 days!Lake Central Theatre Companyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15976541342745601680noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8268341482535638116.post-30099687332167735712009-11-21T04:11:00.000-08:002009-11-21T08:35:22.204-08:00Billy Collins Live!Who is Billy Collins? He is a contemporary poet and former poet laureate (2001-2003) who has made it a goal to help kids rediscover poetry. This year's annual National Writing Project Meeting featured him as a speaker, and he was great! I bought two of his books and got him to sign one for my students!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp5jw4wBldaW9RMCztDUlfpuNDH-54gqp5PEnL3CioZ1wTex4DQkgYIzVZPkntFYNFLcyOfxyhj2eMsaHZRnuKxJn4as1OsAA77OTx2tgLpSPBYlDOPGTbJOvnoybsgbbHSP86xiCe1no/s1600/PB170285.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp5jw4wBldaW9RMCztDUlfpuNDH-54gqp5PEnL3CioZ1wTex4DQkgYIzVZPkntFYNFLcyOfxyhj2eMsaHZRnuKxJn4as1OsAA77OTx2tgLpSPBYlDOPGTbJOvnoybsgbbHSP86xiCe1no/s320/PB170285.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5406534801859728850" border="0" /></a>Connie Farrell, Dr. Carolyn Boiarsky, and I. We all work together at the writing project.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfBOYyYn54bM2nZA8MWeRA_yKQ9eGEHQzUMNqCkinZRU3L4j88c3E5P5QTNwKHWn02jsR9ccunow7NT9MIR75dFIARR9QTJpA1VXXiFBEua6jLhL36EqYGn2boCGAFlG6dYju2o8WqOHQ/s1600/PB170326.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfBOYyYn54bM2nZA8MWeRA_yKQ9eGEHQzUMNqCkinZRU3L4j88c3E5P5QTNwKHWn02jsR9ccunow7NT9MIR75dFIARR9QTJpA1VXXiFBEua6jLhL36EqYGn2boCGAFlG6dYju2o8WqOHQ/s320/PB170326.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5406534805602754530" border="0" /></a>Billy Collins reading some of his great, sardonic poetry.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsZ92Ba64P8AF4VUZsFJE1-WtLD-bHl7R5UPpMxLpY29Uv1Z69dBzs-739SBct5audk4hYdI25yXgiH2_S8vzAjtTHHCmSbnATuF81ibdbN-b1kDUfRmLO-7ySm0_B-ebW5XdU13y7ynk/s1600/PB170335.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsZ92Ba64P8AF4VUZsFJE1-WtLD-bHl7R5UPpMxLpY29Uv1Z69dBzs-739SBct5audk4hYdI25yXgiH2_S8vzAjtTHHCmSbnATuF81ibdbN-b1kDUfRmLO-7ySm0_B-ebW5XdU13y7ynk/s320/PB170335.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5406534810315245458" border="0" /></a>Billy Collins signing my book!Lake Central Theatre Companyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15976541342745601680noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8268341482535638116.post-14966495419539514952009-11-19T18:27:00.000-08:002009-11-19T18:58:23.898-08:00If it's November, it's NCTE/NWP Time!I'm very fortunate that I get to attend the annual meetings of the National Council of Teachers of English and the National Writing Project each November. And because I work for the Northwest Indiana Writing Project, it's all paid for me. On top of all that, the conference is held in different cities each year. My first year it was New York City, last year was San Antonio, and this year is "the city of brotherly love," Philadelphia.<br /><br />Today was all about just getting here and getting to know where things are. You may have heard about the major computer problems that tied up flights all around the US today. My flight was delayed, but not because of that. No, my flight was over an hour delayed because of the weather. in fact, you'll see from some of my first day pics that it looks more like Seattle than the East Coast!<br /><br />But here are some of the first day pictures. My hotel is in the historic district, so you know I'll be doing the tours and sightseeing in the area! Unlike last year, however, my room looks out on I-95, not the Delaware River (that would be the OTHER side of the hotel).<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJtBdexwr8oNUN7-U4_W9QIoERbIGW5Gh0i242Co5o-YgNYG7mhT8puSe6o0hctZ-U6Fl9bTVbVQfUEUdBAJt2AUROXR4JICFhmnEFHVaiqt1tlQUWMPHB2SN1XRBpQ_zJ4bOgmoNEH4c/s1600/PB160260.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJtBdexwr8oNUN7-U4_W9QIoERbIGW5Gh0i242Co5o-YgNYG7mhT8puSe6o0hctZ-U6Fl9bTVbVQfUEUdBAJt2AUROXR4JICFhmnEFHVaiqt1tlQUWMPHB2SN1XRBpQ_zJ4bOgmoNEH4c/s320/PB160260.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5406012571901566962" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6TrCVX_520S4knl4ryVThajTgdfy7dlJxGYHC7U2NS4KJvovat44G55bKBS1kz5KpkAAH-cNMeU-69ISXA49EGwSe08spGrKeeU7fHsSPAa1A7zXytbZKk58ljiKT851kaHHKMCtKlwc/s1600/PB160262.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6TrCVX_520S4knl4ryVThajTgdfy7dlJxGYHC7U2NS4KJvovat44G55bKBS1kz5KpkAAH-cNMeU-69ISXA49EGwSe08spGrKeeU7fHsSPAa1A7zXytbZKk58ljiKT851kaHHKMCtKlwc/s320/PB160262.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5406012577628334706" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />A view of the weather and cool architecture. Like San Antonio last year, there are very old buildings with a distinctly historic shape next to very contemporary buildings.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCG6ZMX3G3ite7FBYQfovxAiBci5cmX71mD4xqkQZ8iV-vypr0RLg0AkvsxDO7RYlmS9fJFwz7mcmxLZLfpuOmeqGBk9uJVkgax-Hc3bsFCOxdjJBmUTAoWC2YNGKrxc39b4S13VuX5b4/s1600/PB160274.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCG6ZMX3G3ite7FBYQfovxAiBci5cmX71mD4xqkQZ8iV-vypr0RLg0AkvsxDO7RYlmS9fJFwz7mcmxLZLfpuOmeqGBk9uJVkgax-Hc3bsFCOxdjJBmUTAoWC2YNGKrxc39b4S13VuX5b4/s320/PB160274.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5406012585061819762" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT-5woFZPaAkrUquHzyzrETzQJ6iSlmKLK1lFcb4WPS8kc2q-LPddS-mUQEVMQrQX41GYrmO6ccdcoM6OlfpwGhrBmumaSvA15m5NPFz87d_zFb-w1gNTL3r6nfwrzfl_4bveVbRiqzvw/s1600/PB160266.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT-5woFZPaAkrUquHzyzrETzQJ6iSlmKLK1lFcb4WPS8kc2q-LPddS-mUQEVMQrQX41GYrmO6ccdcoM6OlfpwGhrBmumaSvA15m5NPFz87d_zFb-w1gNTL3r6nfwrzfl_4bveVbRiqzvw/s320/PB160266.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5406012586678329970" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggDs27jvgAdlIq1xwQm6LyRiM6JWYTukyOK2eyKG4lLPZ8Ml8IzNk4eNTalUoNV_yCTkWDPPKI2wmuryOSK71nn5hCV0cj_jC9qC__MlAlFHNOgj6flOqaupGfas8NWkt91CRE6XiGlfg/s1600/PB160265.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggDs27jvgAdlIq1xwQm6LyRiM6JWYTukyOK2eyKG4lLPZ8Ml8IzNk4eNTalUoNV_yCTkWDPPKI2wmuryOSK71nn5hCV0cj_jC9qC__MlAlFHNOgj6flOqaupGfas8NWkt91CRE6XiGlfg/s320/PB160265.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5406012593361191090" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />I ate my first meal in the Reading Terminal Market. From what I can tell, it's an old train station that has rows and rows of booths of all sorts of food vendors. You can buy fresh fish, fair market produce, handmade candy, and of course, get a Philly Cheesesteak.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4mKYskkAM3Ug5NVhqNH0xVaJJIyKD1ovuJWVeYqQqmkre_rY4ep2xV5gYuzDF7jt2QMQf0IE-Dft7uD8nTgFbbmsFv5S3G3sB2zKZ9GEpZrveG0YGAB1eT5puwpI6XDktbQNWdV2Fbec/s1600/PB160264.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4mKYskkAM3Ug5NVhqNH0xVaJJIyKD1ovuJWVeYqQqmkre_rY4ep2xV5gYuzDF7jt2QMQf0IE-Dft7uD8nTgFbbmsFv5S3G3sB2zKZ9GEpZrveG0YGAB1eT5puwpI6XDktbQNWdV2Fbec/s320/PB160264.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5406013279164835474" border="0" /></a>Here's what my meal looked like. This is a traditional cheesesteak. It's meat, onions, hot peppers, and...I'm not kidding...Cheez Whiz! When I was offered that as an option for my cheese, I said, "really"? to which the guy taking my order said "Where are you from? No local ever is shocked that traditional cheesesteaks are made with Cheez Whiz. Don't knock it till you try it." So I did. And it was good!<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />More tomorrow!Lake Central Theatre Companyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15976541342745601680noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8268341482535638116.post-45058714043693352092009-11-15T16:54:00.000-08:002009-11-15T17:21:59.135-08:00Cassidy's First Birthday!Two posts in one day? Move over 2010, the Apocolypse is NOW! I just got home from my niece's first birthday party. I can remember cuddling her at the hospital on the night she was born, and now she's walking! <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSoRDdGPsrKD3qo2JuYzqHzHZzTPBaPjDxA_2XLygBLDSt72tU1b3kYgqqbHJjVYtycpwKDryZtXiuLs-OgfcHpdxbjiLo-ge48g5a4oSYk3mx4KNo-_96duT84R52-fautbVAHZTRgMs/s1600-h/PB120260.JPG"><br /><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSoRDdGPsrKD3qo2JuYzqHzHZzTPBaPjDxA_2XLygBLDSt72tU1b3kYgqqbHJjVYtycpwKDryZtXiuLs-OgfcHpdxbjiLo-ge48g5a4oSYk3mx4KNo-_96duT84R52-fautbVAHZTRgMs/s320/PB120260.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5404500127129317170" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Mom and dad getting ready to open presents!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5-6xs9Lsc2OLgsZlY2pttAPqoyXcXVHuxS6KLubifQ0xNO3UhkYXOMuuhCIWqiaZiamC91VarZKayAL9UqwggjXaC0eojmqjbCL9SzmQsa6FQeKQDiIFFluqzJ02ZL-KG5ODlcsQe2Z0/s1600-h/PB120277.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5-6xs9Lsc2OLgsZlY2pttAPqoyXcXVHuxS6KLubifQ0xNO3UhkYXOMuuhCIWqiaZiamC91VarZKayAL9UqwggjXaC0eojmqjbCL9SzmQsa6FQeKQDiIFFluqzJ02ZL-KG5ODlcsQe2Z0/s320/PB120277.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5404501688653174482" border="0" /></a>She is pretty good at opening her presents...<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQhvsgZHw-5VNcK5PM8eS5lxUgdyfqelLvyIgCpUG1C286dv_kYVkVmNPJ0hAy0AutMzDB7Tf_fNN8DI6LVMZ35EMwQlg_37vABYENb9s1vW2Qdi_rK7Nuv24PGv_30U8sXEFlYI4G1ME/s1600-h/PB120281.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQhvsgZHw-5VNcK5PM8eS5lxUgdyfqelLvyIgCpUG1C286dv_kYVkVmNPJ0hAy0AutMzDB7Tf_fNN8DI6LVMZ35EMwQlg_37vABYENb9s1vW2Qdi_rK7Nuv24PGv_30U8sXEFlYI4G1ME/s320/PB120281.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5404503527590636754" border="0" /></a>Who doesn't like a rocking horse? Cassidy apparently. I think she didn't know quite what to make of it, especially since it neighs and the tail wags!<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm-hvAxg-6YBAlQIC6j7S5b0-zASTGe_fb2XkquDO5dAP7Lygqgl1mue0dGQraOB0qBTLRhH4dngJ-xJo3MBgq6gGdmK2NQpgEfEzpXMDNKfy-sNGDvd8EhKQ4QhFYIbZNJTUPErawt34/s1600-h/PB120285.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm-hvAxg-6YBAlQIC6j7S5b0-zASTGe_fb2XkquDO5dAP7Lygqgl1mue0dGQraOB0qBTLRhH4dngJ-xJo3MBgq6gGdmK2NQpgEfEzpXMDNKfy-sNGDvd8EhKQ4QhFYIbZNJTUPErawt34/s320/PB120285.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5404500138222240226" border="0" /></a><br />Cassidy got some cool presents, including this handmade doll.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQLULqOqhwZQPWYSRrke4YoNEzR27zaBcTHXZd6Vsz2KjNLWy-d6t8BbQimvdnPE7JILj96EIoLDhRzAlnQMS0x1VVvugfJZ6RKzZcL0IoYCFb14jFnEUk2CAjyDsgbOE81YKjtEh4Iog/s1600-h/PB120279.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQLULqOqhwZQPWYSRrke4YoNEzR27zaBcTHXZd6Vsz2KjNLWy-d6t8BbQimvdnPE7JILj96EIoLDhRzAlnQMS0x1VVvugfJZ6RKzZcL0IoYCFb14jFnEUk2CAjyDsgbOE81YKjtEh4Iog/s320/PB120279.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5404500130806288530" border="0" /></a><br />But she really liked the wrapping that the gifts came in.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHnQHNtmpjZ6iN6NVH_I-0u1BRHTJAne-1ysx5wBoSfaarg_Zqei0HRFnNKDIXRB9L4S8LoqDAVin1YaYR_WHAUJS08NPRH1mRgBILtK3HJmZDi4y5wxECpVXr-15K9SD0gBTetv6Xs0Q/s1600-h/PB120297.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHnQHNtmpjZ6iN6NVH_I-0u1BRHTJAne-1ysx5wBoSfaarg_Zqei0HRFnNKDIXRB9L4S8LoqDAVin1YaYR_WHAUJS08NPRH1mRgBILtK3HJmZDi4y5wxECpVXr-15K9SD0gBTetv6Xs0Q/s320/PB120297.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5404500139690752594" border="0" /></a>...I mean really liked the wrapping...<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggX88qP_P_ffuyOfJSn-6B8ZJAMKPhr2lCnyREPI4kHiTtYjnE3TpV1rRITRnVOJxTDvMD5jOPRwkXx_DfgugbirrqUte5DbjEXI_SME7wmHdeOTnSrBcGYbQac9zowUE52Kyfx6JpRkQ/s1600-h/PB120303.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggX88qP_P_ffuyOfJSn-6B8ZJAMKPhr2lCnyREPI4kHiTtYjnE3TpV1rRITRnVOJxTDvMD5jOPRwkXx_DfgugbirrqUte5DbjEXI_SME7wmHdeOTnSrBcGYbQac9zowUE52Kyfx6JpRkQ/s320/PB120303.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5404503535540433090" border="0" /></a>...I mean REALLY liked the wrapping!<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimOPnXXlgtjRN2JwnPGPe85JrGJ_PYl596TA3BwbnAOngP8EiN62T3KcT9cbsWXI0WJDR-NKxOTOpmfUUByFKDYjKAKbvONfLQj8jsmxqQxl4fs91lMnf3kv3cf2NGY0vjl72TspLhqNk/s1600-h/PB120291.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimOPnXXlgtjRN2JwnPGPe85JrGJ_PYl596TA3BwbnAOngP8EiN62T3KcT9cbsWXI0WJDR-NKxOTOpmfUUByFKDYjKAKbvONfLQj8jsmxqQxl4fs91lMnf3kv3cf2NGY0vjl72TspLhqNk/s320/PB120291.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5404503528833648978" border="0" /></a>Seriously, for Christmas, I'm going to wrap some empty boxes for her!<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS40l0MSfVSQKhfqjvlc-wZwX4Uw6WrLPPHbpYsZo0F0zniI8lUW8q0bcD8mnXX49KrIrIgBRx6Q9ANO9KDaVwYiCNXM0TzloowMMK6-Rj-pQkTxICkpNoYLb29qgGbsTk8iR-zzp-rMo/s1600-h/PB120333.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS40l0MSfVSQKhfqjvlc-wZwX4Uw6WrLPPHbpYsZo0F0zniI8lUW8q0bcD8mnXX49KrIrIgBRx6Q9ANO9KDaVwYiCNXM0TzloowMMK6-Rj-pQkTxICkpNoYLb29qgGbsTk8iR-zzp-rMo/s320/PB120333.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5404503539135710178" border="0" /></a>My sister baked cupcakes, including the gigantic one with the candle. Unfortunately, Cassidy was too intimidated to smash her face in it, so it was still intact!<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiZ8MUii67cL9oEUnMBzMDe4Vb9F0zGcZWVzOZxFIAOPWHrqmRfSQaRfOtNurZYDVMOKrN0-VQeyQgU-ldKXsYY_eXFI4osqqRx-NZqqoK4ag8V1sUJVYa5wPiGjPd6O_djri-v7-yWU8/s1600-h/PB120353.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiZ8MUii67cL9oEUnMBzMDe4Vb9F0zGcZWVzOZxFIAOPWHrqmRfSQaRfOtNurZYDVMOKrN0-VQeyQgU-ldKXsYY_eXFI4osqqRx-NZqqoK4ag8V1sUJVYa5wPiGjPd6O_djri-v7-yWU8/s320/PB120353.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5404504493681464866" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEingZA-QgETHHgEq7FkLajM4NV8IGZODl2UYApCR7erJeDxTVbS5ncPrZ69AYm__h7SLLOF1cHr71ESZ11WoYAy4J9TbtntwmHG6xXw5oPpKGa1wZ67rc3fss3TyO5XdR0wuB_Hckz06sw/s1600-h/PB120343.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEingZA-QgETHHgEq7FkLajM4NV8IGZODl2UYApCR7erJeDxTVbS5ncPrZ69AYm__h7SLLOF1cHr71ESZ11WoYAy4J9TbtntwmHG6xXw5oPpKGa1wZ67rc3fss3TyO5XdR0wuB_Hckz06sw/s320/PB120343.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5404501678365357986" border="0" /></a>Who says you can't have your cake and eat it too?<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaspx5ujsilKVT7oeT5I7xVKVuUQgOoVWnU9rJz67GSJddfN8cCOtlLRISrhaBbnAXoIq5JdmvXzguqPYmNAIA59HsusyuN736S7a52QrvLwum_512013cIxjPiV_HI5BPFtZYgiHPHyc/s1600-h/PB120334.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaspx5ujsilKVT7oeT5I7xVKVuUQgOoVWnU9rJz67GSJddfN8cCOtlLRISrhaBbnAXoIq5JdmvXzguqPYmNAIA59HsusyuN736S7a52QrvLwum_512013cIxjPiV_HI5BPFtZYgiHPHyc/s320/PB120334.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5404501668140355874" border="0" /></a>There is a Polish tradition of setting out a shotglass, a coin, and a Rosary on the first birthday. If the baby grabs the shotglass, it means a life of drinking, the coin a life of money, and the Rosary a life of faith.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhknWNI9S4vTbelF9WxzrNdt1sHjI6nxq4q4pBY-Vjz52a32E2Qozt241PKnba2ld6RozrgWa1HfofykHL47VCzGtgimOJGSqacqGKdayizt83ubSTWkVosG2MpTg3jsbbZiM4Pe2P8_u4/s1600-h/PB120335.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhknWNI9S4vTbelF9WxzrNdt1sHjI6nxq4q4pBY-Vjz52a32E2Qozt241PKnba2ld6RozrgWa1HfofykHL47VCzGtgimOJGSqacqGKdayizt83ubSTWkVosG2MpTg3jsbbZiM4Pe2P8_u4/s320/PB120335.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5404503547322428786" border="0" /></a>Yes, it looks like she's going for the shotglass...<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUXpua8muRbXDzojYmbVYnxNeyP8kTvNjMomc60rM994cwIAEYQQkkdCWU5txVCFVtS3hUho7IlWTubqChslWXSAuNtLqjPnaJ2WeCrw3LQjhSBclKO43ddAjo_qyNbzTaF5JPYLtEvpY/s1600-h/PB120337.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUXpua8muRbXDzojYmbVYnxNeyP8kTvNjMomc60rM994cwIAEYQQkkdCWU5txVCFVtS3hUho7IlWTubqChslWXSAuNtLqjPnaJ2WeCrw3LQjhSBclKO43ddAjo_qyNbzTaF5JPYLtEvpY/s320/PB120337.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5404501673938331618" border="0" /></a>...but in the end she grabbe the Rosary.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisymn1xjhwqutbgkGKBsSgp4seftQs25x4OfNl38hNPKXg6NEpbmxixukcp1NocfX2Cntfvb1LGAkRQtquucFQQ2iaSIaDNsjPMB_YQakTpX0GVpjkuwROj42h4kQqZ1jIbxJUekirnOU/s1600-h/PB120339.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisymn1xjhwqutbgkGKBsSgp4seftQs25x4OfNl38hNPKXg6NEpbmxixukcp1NocfX2Cntfvb1LGAkRQtquucFQQ2iaSIaDNsjPMB_YQakTpX0GVpjkuwROj42h4kQqZ1jIbxJUekirnOU/s320/PB120339.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5404504487065945458" border="0" /></a>A nice picture of my sister, niece, and my cousins Gina and Maria.Lake Central Theatre Companyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15976541342745601680noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8268341482535638116.post-20868780596817865342009-11-15T07:26:00.001-08:002009-11-15T07:35:12.991-08:00No Shave November?So it wasn't until last weekend when I saw my good friend Kevin that I first learned about "No-Shave November," an unofficial rite when men refuse to shave. The next week in the teachers' lounge the topic came up again, and my good friend Brandi told me I was too strait-laced to go without shaving.<br /><br />Not being one to turn down a challenge, I said "it's on!" So it's been about a week, and I did clean up a little of the edges this morning (I'm flying later this week, and I don't want to look like a total slob in front of my students!), but I refuse to shave until the end of the month!<br /><br />Here's some pics in progress:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXorSp78fh1g41K_V1flNj0pCVDI62E4fEa4q1lZpibreQDraoZUaJRA9xZDFXYraIys4bDdGMXR3vVzF2idQvQzDISfv86VrYzCR87sZ7P7YRLDCzyF4oZ2CumYZb3CD1qvIQGAsdSB4/s1600-h/PB120252.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXorSp78fh1g41K_V1flNj0pCVDI62E4fEa4q1lZpibreQDraoZUaJRA9xZDFXYraIys4bDdGMXR3vVzF2idQvQzDISfv86VrYzCR87sZ7P7YRLDCzyF4oZ2CumYZb3CD1qvIQGAsdSB4/s320/PB120252.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5404353877849428498" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh4L9VqgQKbX1YKHHH7hZxKulSEJ65pHMfkv08ZxV8GojdFp-5svlTlA33fr1XniCt5tEbSBTtqfmVLX3oGAElVqYE9Kt9NV2kGc1YHM0SDL4Wax3XWNn8xK8IuAgSPTK-qoBWsMY0AZw/s1600-h/PB120253.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh4L9VqgQKbX1YKHHH7hZxKulSEJ65pHMfkv08ZxV8GojdFp-5svlTlA33fr1XniCt5tEbSBTtqfmVLX3oGAElVqYE9Kt9NV2kGc1YHM0SDL4Wax3XWNn8xK8IuAgSPTK-qoBWsMY0AZw/s320/PB120253.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5404353871067128114" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhsj99rHkrLgYRjNHypJkSM2929RNuO9KEPuwfumshf-IF3FrlZ4YhYvcQl4uMtLTdE7_-2vAVE89hdvXV94i9MiK4Tw-_hs4D1tNEFrcHyIvH9F8XuoPCKyN3aLCA4VCDQ8VJztwid3M/s1600-h/PB120251.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhsj99rHkrLgYRjNHypJkSM2929RNuO9KEPuwfumshf-IF3FrlZ4YhYvcQl4uMtLTdE7_-2vAVE89hdvXV94i9MiK4Tw-_hs4D1tNEFrcHyIvH9F8XuoPCKyN3aLCA4VCDQ8VJztwid3M/s320/PB120251.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5404353863956862770" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />More pics to come as progress is made!<br /><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-style: italic;"><br /><br /></span></span></span></span>Lake Central Theatre Companyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15976541342745601680noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8268341482535638116.post-23146023213032516552009-08-01T19:50:00.001-07:002009-08-01T20:03:04.953-07:00Reality CheckIt's about 9:45 CDT on a Saturday night, and I've been watching Lockup: Lake County Juvenile on MSNBC. Now I know, some of you will say that it's a left-leaning station, and I agree to some extent. But because they were doing a documentary on Lake County, Indiana (where I live), I decided to watch. <br /><br />While I didn't recognize anyone (though the exterior of the buildings was familiar), it was not as trashy as I thought it might be. The two young men they featured were repeat offenders, and each was at some point reduced to tears because of the fear they had that their lives were out of their control. The results of the hearings were not totally in favor of the prosecution or the defense; the judge in these cases had to decide on the next stage of rehabilitation. That's what the juvenile system is about: trying to rehabilitate.<br /><br />I started watching because I was intrigued about the locale, but seeing these two young men in their situations made me think about how we develop as humans. Some people would look at them and immediately want to lock them up and throw away the key (the cases were mostly drug-use related). But these are people who were making bad choices and just starting to realize the mistakes they were making. For them, changing wasn't going to happen instantaneously, and realizing the full extent of their problems lies ahead of them. But with the support that they seem to have in the documentary, I only hope that they can develop themselves in a more positive manner. <br /><br />I think it's like that with all of us. We all do things that we shouldn't, and sometimes, despite having others tell us there is a problem, only when WE admit to the problem and work toward change will it happen. I only hope that anyone in that situation has a support system of people who will be their for them.<br /><br />Ok, I'm off to watch some SNL so I can go to bed happy! <a href="http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/27118605/ns/msnbc_tv-documentaries">Click Here</a> if you want to find out more about the series.Lake Central Theatre Companyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15976541342745601680noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8268341482535638116.post-82179898958485023552009-06-29T06:34:00.000-07:002009-06-29T06:58:47.286-07:00Our First Major Project!So on June 19, despite overcast skies, Sarah and I completed our first major project: a new shed. Well, WE didn't complete it, but we had an installer come and put it up for us!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrgF3NLafqQDfDj3sm2CIBFmZVSbAizmSIYY6vo-oc3grbIhaM0uFkdmlosHSl3OGRkqVqFKQU_Q9ERQdbWaZIszPjptphAOfvFEvsH5N2pa9FLT3SlhkZCVkNkqZyXz1JF7V_oXSYEb4/s1600-h/P6160030.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrgF3NLafqQDfDj3sm2CIBFmZVSbAizmSIYY6vo-oc3grbIhaM0uFkdmlosHSl3OGRkqVqFKQU_Q9ERQdbWaZIszPjptphAOfvFEvsH5N2pa9FLT3SlhkZCVkNkqZyXz1JF7V_oXSYEb4/s320/P6160030.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5352744403799666242" border="0" /></a>The location of the new shed. Our old shed was sitting on the easement, so we couldn't just tear the old one down and put the new one up. But Sarah likes the new location.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4xHvOJKwqBSpJB9UYarCPl0t0Q55mO_hatnChNzYY1a5bPEVew8mVf3mkzpWV0t0vxmEdFgnqit2CnKduPbS2lqvHOqhTcBimKadOcZjHGAtHjzgtkYl8SsrJ8hp-GSWr3KiJZA_TRwI/s1600-h/P6160035.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4xHvOJKwqBSpJB9UYarCPl0t0Q55mO_hatnChNzYY1a5bPEVew8mVf3mkzpWV0t0vxmEdFgnqit2CnKduPbS2lqvHOqhTcBimKadOcZjHGAtHjzgtkYl8SsrJ8hp-GSWr3KiJZA_TRwI/s320/P6160035.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5352744404834290418" border="0" /></a>The floor is put in place. I took all the pictures from our kitchen window so I didn't appear to be a freak.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO2H1ieGmwMoHI4lCJnqxsLPjhpQjZz4qE15DBisW5-IQ4kvkQJuEXjCwsGoKnGD4-wkHafqkJpAz4AkeGuudf1vVrv3LuJAn0nvW6fZ5wn-P9ogW70MrydFOkHg69TXZGgyuDa0l5RIM/s1600-h/P6160039.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO2H1ieGmwMoHI4lCJnqxsLPjhpQjZz4qE15DBisW5-IQ4kvkQJuEXjCwsGoKnGD4-wkHafqkJpAz4AkeGuudf1vVrv3LuJAn0nvW6fZ5wn-P9ogW70MrydFOkHg69TXZGgyuDa0l5RIM/s320/P6160039.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5352744408790559074" border="0" /></a>The side walls go up.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2TlSfW1kIPHsEXWKvL0asGcU8H4PiFEryKU90ylVybHXanQXdejvsB4YDSVHQ2EJzWe-rn57mLw3OjfugLE3WaORhHXhue548CqfRLLneXi7RpK9jaIYzU61AXMbjVNWyb6M7obbw_Vg/s1600-h/P6160042.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2TlSfW1kIPHsEXWKvL0asGcU8H4PiFEryKU90ylVybHXanQXdejvsB4YDSVHQ2EJzWe-rn57mLw3OjfugLE3WaORhHXhue548CqfRLLneXi7RpK9jaIYzU61AXMbjVNWyb6M7obbw_Vg/s320/P6160042.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5352744416959696562" border="0" /></a>Up go the front and back walls.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrryRzzBwsjoJq-vqciOqJXd5hoaoGaq4_19ZlIN83lRuZuJuD55nNHvXG7UlDljbZghzorjz1mDNMqe-J2S1dtFa1PuxTcVhfiPu-oClGHO1qu1pV8nKfbGgdf9-vmfE9gYqszHMowIM/s1600-h/P6160045.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrryRzzBwsjoJq-vqciOqJXd5hoaoGaq4_19ZlIN83lRuZuJuD55nNHvXG7UlDljbZghzorjz1mDNMqe-J2S1dtFa1PuxTcVhfiPu-oClGHO1qu1pV8nKfbGgdf9-vmfE9gYqszHMowIM/s320/P6160045.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5352744419999699730" border="0" /></a>The roof goes up!<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeMKnUJq-xl1WjLvNYMm5_IyXmkQEqA5H_0T7Kf4Tv7Bd4Zl3rwUQnS8NCtMml4h84KYegzE-aTELDxwU9OCl_ANOs22bAsFB4w7m5pGjQydbp0EQQ4xyHhIR8sMj_vQYRPK9WSb3q0h0/s1600-h/P6160051.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeMKnUJq-xl1WjLvNYMm5_IyXmkQEqA5H_0T7Kf4Tv7Bd4Zl3rwUQnS8NCtMml4h84KYegzE-aTELDxwU9OCl_ANOs22bAsFB4w7m5pGjQydbp0EQQ4xyHhIR8sMj_vQYRPK9WSb3q0h0/s320/P6160051.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5352746790455919282" border="0" /></a>Almost done....<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMpA6AlAS08Te511L1n99RbRxRC_3QiF5HuxUeF9rCupmY93PtKtHZIGj9ytBV8c7a2esm8YyHxH66krEOS1ATJaSBZXTIMGmDjKHEGOYuc7RsgkT3BY1NTvJCyQx9j2DVCqmAvHpb5t4/s1600-h/P6190071.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMpA6AlAS08Te511L1n99RbRxRC_3QiF5HuxUeF9rCupmY93PtKtHZIGj9ytBV8c7a2esm8YyHxH66krEOS1ATJaSBZXTIMGmDjKHEGOYuc7RsgkT3BY1NTvJCyQx9j2DVCqmAvHpb5t4/s320/P6190071.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5352746811429842690" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc4WtECvQZ-S59riBKlMn-jNJPqHUs50JCJs5iNP51jaiDw_N0Ep0YK6r3CptMQYOsDhpBG6pg5-_HWZ9g2FwD1hUiOmI9OLSyvU4yvNJypLjj-OMPEG35S-x8mkxrJd5Fzu6jDf3V7ic/s1600-h/P6190069.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc4WtECvQZ-S59riBKlMn-jNJPqHUs50JCJs5iNP51jaiDw_N0Ep0YK6r3CptMQYOsDhpBG6pg5-_HWZ9g2FwD1hUiOmI9OLSyvU4yvNJypLjj-OMPEG35S-x8mkxrJd5Fzu6jDf3V7ic/s320/P6190069.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5352746803641889394" border="0" /></a>We've already put our things from the old shed into the new one. In fact, it almost seems that we should have bought a larger shed to begin with!<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV_I3Fsp_YtZQGDp3Q_yjpy42C2HHUGZTi3LrB515z1ThKAzd2ez6kaGTHffwqTdZCwxi3ba7iIb2lP8yp4y4v90Vp04PIo6XD-nDtFATyjEeVyFDHtcBYVi3tbfJAsL6T58aVx7gYBVY/s1600-h/P6190068.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV_I3Fsp_YtZQGDp3Q_yjpy42C2HHUGZTi3LrB515z1ThKAzd2ez6kaGTHffwqTdZCwxi3ba7iIb2lP8yp4y4v90Vp04PIo6XD-nDtFATyjEeVyFDHtcBYVi3tbfJAsL6T58aVx7gYBVY/s320/P6190068.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5352747858894123570" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br />And here is the finished product. We'll be painting it later in the summer to match the house.<br /><br />Now I just have to finish taking down the old shed!Lake Central Theatre Companyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15976541342745601680noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8268341482535638116.post-28859308009802542022009-06-19T06:03:00.000-07:002009-06-19T06:50:32.995-07:00What happens in Vegas...So at the end of March, Sarah and I FINALLY got to go on our real honeymoon, a trip to Las Vegas. It was the first time for either of us to go to Sin City, and we had a blast!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-4AJTdRK5WnK6u57HE3B0YCcCDD7XpEZVAkjO8FaDJoLhofiTB9jGMKsVl4QIY8x1O96ewUnUzscdvrgqxALIi9PDPdXkqF0IKF9LTbH15szUd38Gza-VqO_GF_Ixm0xpAKIqmAV9u2g/s1600-h/P3200169.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-4AJTdRK5WnK6u57HE3B0YCcCDD7XpEZVAkjO8FaDJoLhofiTB9jGMKsVl4QIY8x1O96ewUnUzscdvrgqxALIi9PDPdXkqF0IKF9LTbH15szUd38Gza-VqO_GF_Ixm0xpAKIqmAV9u2g/s320/P3200169.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5349025143647406818" border="0" /></a>The approach to the airport. We think the bright line of lights is the Strip, but we saw a lot of spots of light, so it's hard for us to be certain.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxpntMpBAW92WWkmC_O1BhK_5XKOxUonial-_PAu6jnMZoRL5kunkicdoJ0uGYhHfSvGCpMoBUWhnnvdZWa4dxxewBc77lADS443GVSB86ni3rTRDvqlk_r_nLiXB8c0lHlzaQGMvaBPM/s1600-h/P3200176.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxpntMpBAW92WWkmC_O1BhK_5XKOxUonial-_PAu6jnMZoRL5kunkicdoJ0uGYhHfSvGCpMoBUWhnnvdZWa4dxxewBc77lADS443GVSB86ni3rTRDvqlk_r_nLiXB8c0lHlzaQGMvaBPM/s320/P3200176.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5349025147888825954" border="0" /></a>Our room. Nothing fancy, but we were on the top floor, so we had a great view!<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxyaVfFN4SXUcwRwfSrkqGi7uR9HSATg81rbgxJH9j1pIdl7xlk9Rz3dS4wvP4zhOzbRpqWxvXKUT3NqQrfUV9yCKWMbyOtUhaHaK-2jRdAr1TbKuDhdltmU69EjG_kYG8nLcJGIWaU5Y/s1600-h/P3200225.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxyaVfFN4SXUcwRwfSrkqGi7uR9HSATg81rbgxJH9j1pIdl7xlk9Rz3dS4wvP4zhOzbRpqWxvXKUT3NqQrfUV9yCKWMbyOtUhaHaK-2jRdAr1TbKuDhdltmU69EjG_kYG8nLcJGIWaU5Y/s320/P3200225.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5349029180865103202" border="0" /></a>And this is the view! We never closed the curtains because at night the lights were amazing and in the morning the sun woke us up!<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiBwoAWMApyAqWT_Ts2dJdf6nN0wMh3CMeRmS05ePNPi0u6ZGZar80GOzpg-sDBZ7ySwNgPks2P8OutOg_hWpyrFTbZBGtZs16FVDExkuOsdKroQq0JfnDXt5TvKD9jEQWW8nKqnoJjao/s1600-h/P3200181.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiBwoAWMApyAqWT_Ts2dJdf6nN0wMh3CMeRmS05ePNPi0u6ZGZar80GOzpg-sDBZ7ySwNgPks2P8OutOg_hWpyrFTbZBGtZs16FVDExkuOsdKroQq0JfnDXt5TvKD9jEQWW8nKqnoJjao/s320/P3200181.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5349025153951673522" border="0" /></a>A view of the swimming pool. Most of the newer hotels are all enclosed...even the pools. But the Flamingo is older and actually had an outdoor pool. Unfortunately, the only day Sarah let me not do something from the moment we woke up until the moment we went to sleep it was barely 70 degrees! Thanks, Sarah!<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5GVIwT8TjNOjXxzS9vCmdTo3-Pq28UlFBasiC854gnJdzFZix4JAajOBJnJFcHqoTFuP5F3YlIHwhX0iZCe_OaSe_l145lVsTzlaXnF_gXARuQ3ft4dxZNW_bU9ZkhSNRqpPvAS3rUxg/s1600-h/P3200192.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5GVIwT8TjNOjXxzS9vCmdTo3-Pq28UlFBasiC854gnJdzFZix4JAajOBJnJFcHqoTFuP5F3YlIHwhX0iZCe_OaSe_l145lVsTzlaXnF_gXARuQ3ft4dxZNW_bU9ZkhSNRqpPvAS3rUxg/s320/P3200192.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5349025158991268306" border="0" /></a>The hotel has a flamingo habitat. You can actually walk through it and watch the feeding several times a day.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1S3RoZccOMWRHrjg_XOCR1KxJOIkfsYr-6se9nKN0EFkBNyGmI1jLWDVBzn_8Y5ztEWpUSzx40T-kCbf-xfIX2WAPYTLd0t96TJefNIKnuIvmCaNEgYrEvpV6CNdJAxzIqgo54MNLF7Q/s1600-h/P3200212.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1S3RoZccOMWRHrjg_XOCR1KxJOIkfsYr-6se9nKN0EFkBNyGmI1jLWDVBzn_8Y5ztEWpUSzx40T-kCbf-xfIX2WAPYTLd0t96TJefNIKnuIvmCaNEgYrEvpV6CNdJAxzIqgo54MNLF7Q/s320/P3200212.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5349029178842934658" border="0" /></a>At the Venetian, you can take a gondola trip outside the hotel. The weather was nice, so we took advantage of it. If you go inside, they have canals in the mall part of the hotel that offer the same trip.<br /><br />One thing about the hotels: Most of them had ceilings painted to look like the sky. It was a pretty good likeness, but it made me wonder why, other than the summer heat, you would want to be cooped up all day inside a building!<br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL_edCoe-DxUSk9oP-ZmvJI097-Di1XArS44CRfire0sFDTGM5HS94p13ZQ83aDZuS6QIOO6wY0r3h1S3-DpdZzVQmcQ-6dyusmsNnbBsKbsH9LWG88uEfEOohIZOy3BFN155RMnG2pQI/s1600-h/P3200211.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL_edCoe-DxUSk9oP-ZmvJI097-Di1XArS44CRfire0sFDTGM5HS94p13ZQ83aDZuS6QIOO6wY0r3h1S3-DpdZzVQmcQ-6dyusmsNnbBsKbsH9LWG88uEfEOohIZOy3BFN155RMnG2pQI/s320/P3200211.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5349029168987203602" border="0" /></a>Vegas features a Ghirardelli store where you can buy the chocolates as well as have some of their home-made ice cream. We stopped there, and enjoyed the antics of this little pigeon who kept walking back in! It was amazing how domesticated many of the birds are!<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAVdZ_eNm3UIAM6eDaak3_JtLQs03bd68DRp5bGmXiV43-RDhq1kksLe5UxU4UpbBR6mTaIze-fsu-hBI4OAVKFptefB9PP7RLjDs-_qOxOGVZBUhZ27AbooxjSvIV_lj7OaOgsz_cmpE/s1600-h/P3210310.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAVdZ_eNm3UIAM6eDaak3_JtLQs03bd68DRp5bGmXiV43-RDhq1kksLe5UxU4UpbBR6mTaIze-fsu-hBI4OAVKFptefB9PP7RLjDs-_qOxOGVZBUhZ27AbooxjSvIV_lj7OaOgsz_cmpE/s320/P3210310.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5349029185940479890" border="0" /></a>One of the parts of our vacation package was a tour of the Hoover Dam. Now I've always seen the pictures of the dam, but never really understood the magnitude of the structure. This is us after the "dam" tour.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYT7zf6Kml7rGC8Pucb71X00wez-0OR7byKvb7mmbN9ITIWg91Zq2Vw4vZkgaPRUHB2jl8Iy1yQq1mfW0LrfVQblFY1RGoLxwazhA7ldW6Ne5dpvERIMVHBGRj3_VxznGB_jq2m1oQuR8/s1600-h/P3210286.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYT7zf6Kml7rGC8Pucb71X00wez-0OR7byKvb7mmbN9ITIWg91Zq2Vw4vZkgaPRUHB2jl8Iy1yQq1mfW0LrfVQblFY1RGoLxwazhA7ldW6Ne5dpvERIMVHBGRj3_VxznGB_jq2m1oQuR8/s320/P3210286.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5349033394871956610" border="0" /></a>This is one of the four or five turbines that, when activated by the water from the dam, generate electricity. This turbine was down for maintenance, and you can actually see a maintenance worker inside! <br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyZLUl7Ra9wUqs0Ez8zPY95xj0p3Zr26m-SwGWi4dLo05umuak-O_hUfPmHQZsAnn_88HTJf7tVHmGSrKwXvT45S7cnBuTKMwQUfAxtzfOsWUk3tnpD-ecs6TsRcoZu7W_ScZLzlZm8XU/s1600-h/P3210289.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyZLUl7Ra9wUqs0Ez8zPY95xj0p3Zr26m-SwGWi4dLo05umuak-O_hUfPmHQZsAnn_88HTJf7tVHmGSrKwXvT45S7cnBuTKMwQUfAxtzfOsWUk3tnpD-ecs6TsRcoZu7W_ScZLzlZm8XU/s320/P3210289.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5349033399987595554" border="0" /></a>After 9/11, the two-lane road that goes over the dam between Nevada and Arizona was shut down. It was gradually re-opened to people who are going to the dam, and those vehicles have to stop at a checkpoint to be inspected. <br /><br />This picture shows a suspension bridge that is under construction to connect the two states in a more direct route. Currently, the semis have to go about 30 miles out of their way to get between the two states. You couldn't get me to work on that road!<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm8j1FQF5JsyVPquzTVutg7qZSTRCFGILxP0tutBo3obmx9OBmlC9URP3DlhuE6lg5ETyegTDmOb9Gpm8-LrrdTV8-xWYuuLaXkJtcv6dRpLJkKy3EbC5V0RVieS4DbLOUFkZuPekHZwk/s1600-h/P3230473.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm8j1FQF5JsyVPquzTVutg7qZSTRCFGILxP0tutBo3obmx9OBmlC9URP3DlhuE6lg5ETyegTDmOb9Gpm8-LrrdTV8-xWYuuLaXkJtcv6dRpLJkKy3EbC5V0RVieS4DbLOUFkZuPekHZwk/s320/P3230473.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5349033386172741746" border="0" /></a>One of Sarah's co-workers in the Freshmen Center recommended this place for good Italian food. Luckily, it was just around the corner from our hotel. <br /><br />The food was AMAZING! you got a decanter of wine with your meal, salad, bread, and cappucino with the meal. MMMMMMMMMMMMMMM!<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Overall it was a great week! We saw the Bergere Follies on Monday (four days before closing their 49-year run), Bette Midler on Tuesday, Cirque du Soliel's "O" Show on Wednesday, and the impersonators on Thursday. We couldn't take any pictures in the theatres, but they were well worth seeing! We hope to go back someday for two or three days to see some more shows and do more!Lake Central Theatre Companyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15976541342745601680noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8268341482535638116.post-15893387104913330712009-06-19T05:40:00.000-07:002009-06-19T05:58:51.671-07:00Cassidy's Baptismk, so I'm fulfilling my promise to you my two readers (and I'm one of them!) to update the blog with what's been going on. The first is Cassidy's baptism.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7SHE6zT1mcsYYp45G-h8Hexq_Xodlp78bJkd1t8x86caTx_soo53fTKPnKliSuTnzFaUNICs_X1IckDnLTYFrlWQH9nOvrFuSKYnZiJzTgWUfihtUceqNdRB1fPYTXZuMbbH7-OMj52c/s1600-h/P2250115.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7SHE6zT1mcsYYp45G-h8Hexq_Xodlp78bJkd1t8x86caTx_soo53fTKPnKliSuTnzFaUNICs_X1IckDnLTYFrlWQH9nOvrFuSKYnZiJzTgWUfihtUceqNdRB1fPYTXZuMbbH7-OMj52c/s320/P2250115.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5349019961016489762" border="0" /></a>The priest is preparing Cassidy for baptism by explaining what baptism is all about. Meanwhile the rest of us were wondering how she would react when she was dunked in the font.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqpfYFKp5PzN48f203XbEWfOhHW831V0eskS8ROZIbBf17A5CcoWnpJXYVtoRzP4ShuSjZWKgbtB2myEJRdtgLNAm46tK6DYKEMm4R3dqFW4ObtVy5ioYeAm2d34QY7BjONupA8KXWAxE/s1600-h/P2250108.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqpfYFKp5PzN48f203XbEWfOhHW831V0eskS8ROZIbBf17A5CcoWnpJXYVtoRzP4ShuSjZWKgbtB2myEJRdtgLNAm46tK6DYKEMm4R3dqFW4ObtVy5ioYeAm2d34QY7BjONupA8KXWAxE/s320/P2250108.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5349020563957747426" border="0" /></a>....and in she goes! Surprisingly, she was quiet, and even seemed to enjoy the little bath!<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtb1ySJ0SAOW_W__U8Gza0D3Dsf4Xa9OvTXvRbavmthCvAzvyprHCoKwgg_of2J0Rg7af4tL4yMcJSPl4hY0elkudu1shRGrprh6QC8-l8MoHfK14SR_ln5MW3SaMjHx44Wv60mjA-Ylg/s1600-h/P2250104.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtb1ySJ0SAOW_W__U8Gza0D3Dsf4Xa9OvTXvRbavmthCvAzvyprHCoKwgg_of2J0Rg7af4tL4yMcJSPl4hY0elkudu1shRGrprh6QC8-l8MoHfK14SR_ln5MW3SaMjHx44Wv60mjA-Ylg/s320/P2250104.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5349019958682085490" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />After the baptism, Cassidy was anointed with chrism to confirm her membership into the church.<br /><img src="file:///F:/Photos/P2250081.JPG" alt="" /><img src="file:///F:/Photos/P2250081.JPG" alt="" />Lake Central Theatre Companyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15976541342745601680noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8268341482535638116.post-88932453869957555092009-05-25T18:06:00.001-07:002009-05-25T18:08:15.453-07:00The Name Says it All!Wow, so I haven't posted ANYTHING since January! I have meant to post, but as the title of the blog goes, it's been a busy summer. However, I promise that in the next three weeks I'll catch you up on what's been going on. In fact, here are the posts that I'll do:<br /><br />1. Theatre<br />2. Vegas<br />3. The House<br />4. Personal Musings<br /><br />Stay tuned!Lake Central Theatre Companyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15976541342745601680noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8268341482535638116.post-34639914137590523462009-01-20T16:24:00.000-08:002009-01-20T16:42:19.602-08:00Surviving the ColdI need to get better at posting about issues closer to when they happen. Here are some pictures of how our greyhound, Frieda, dealt with the cold.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXpz_YbFXqIB7nfQffLHKC62NmfQPyAn53KENzYfQyRHjv9-Ony-Fu1Zf7jHL7O2yFxIyWWvK7AVBHfbZUWnD69FeytMyO-Z4oiHkmDludgBP6eGaWE6hx4KyZjmTMwJXSkhXoH4xoUlk/s1600-h/bundled.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXpz_YbFXqIB7nfQffLHKC62NmfQPyAn53KENzYfQyRHjv9-Ony-Fu1Zf7jHL7O2yFxIyWWvK7AVBHfbZUWnD69FeytMyO-Z4oiHkmDludgBP6eGaWE6hx4KyZjmTMwJXSkhXoH4xoUlk/s320/bundled.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5293540582947552482" border="0" /></a><br />Frieda likes to be tucked in with blankets!<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGzH4KcFTG-tXwWcQv6EAVWeJmaKASgsW1asRPmz3uorwCfgTFX7eyfus3kZ7MuepmdlY7hjlNjZpH3SU-g0vN2k4-wvGUMJJGcv8xCH3Ssv6REDoP3K8PoHSdkz8oo6rPAjJ5eOuvyBo/s1600-h/coat.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGzH4KcFTG-tXwWcQv6EAVWeJmaKASgsW1asRPmz3uorwCfgTFX7eyfus3kZ7MuepmdlY7hjlNjZpH3SU-g0vN2k4-wvGUMJJGcv8xCH3Ssv6REDoP3K8PoHSdkz8oo6rPAjJ5eOuvyBo/s320/coat.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5293538462595649090" border="0" /></a><br />Frieda wore her jacket around the house for a couple of days to keep extra warm!<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUzWHESV6gvekXpv-w3ydHHQqS3F1JCIAD7MFnGwFRX9YvyOY9qK6VS5_vGWqlm8ceCWAgFkYuU_VaAyuOWem2cGkHdqt2zL540BpQqHkgkCRzeqnRofAglGY7TIlgkDDh4582WBQh-yI/s1600-h/pillow.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUzWHESV6gvekXpv-w3ydHHQqS3F1JCIAD7MFnGwFRX9YvyOY9qK6VS5_vGWqlm8ceCWAgFkYuU_VaAyuOWem2cGkHdqt2zL540BpQqHkgkCRzeqnRofAglGY7TIlgkDDh4582WBQh-yI/s320/pillow.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5293538469690969554" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Frieda has taken to snuggling between the bed and wall, on top of a pillow. Believe it or not, she had the blanket on her when she was on her actual bed in the room, but moved here with the blanket still on!<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg54qDc665B0XZwrIZcERwu4gsMdFRzrG_bviK_Rkkxb1MXbscHiwPRmbZjUxvOT6ZzokDY_ivLGroDTRnb5AqSdzaulIJdRWJW38hG2ugsZv7aT6e5XFm52Dlar9nUEH_wtUDMaU8pydU/s1600-h/thaw.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg54qDc665B0XZwrIZcERwu4gsMdFRzrG_bviK_Rkkxb1MXbscHiwPRmbZjUxvOT6ZzokDY_ivLGroDTRnb5AqSdzaulIJdRWJW38hG2ugsZv7aT6e5XFm52Dlar9nUEH_wtUDMaU8pydU/s320/thaw.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5293538476498021138" border="0" /></a>By the end of the weekend, the jacket came off and Frieda celebrated! She actually sleeps like this sometimes!Lake Central Theatre Companyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15976541342745601680noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8268341482535638116.post-57702873502322564742009-01-18T06:52:00.001-08:002009-01-18T07:20:08.168-08:00The Aftermath, Part 2Ok, so I know I'm a little late with the pictures of Galena, but finals got away from me. Here are some highlights!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjorW6zSrSswILHYCD5miobLsY0-hGttZjmg8rdBR5tAEoX1hukUnFAX4k0xpw0XLVnvN008oM43jErZHS0oa0evOjcv56PS9RVqQxG8NHnpiqC7k7p5jeZVkgRpsZeeN1ihEQTqo1uy-E/s1600-h/grant.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 216px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjorW6zSrSswILHYCD5miobLsY0-hGttZjmg8rdBR5tAEoX1hukUnFAX4k0xpw0XLVnvN008oM43jErZHS0oa0evOjcv56PS9RVqQxG8NHnpiqC7k7p5jeZVkgRpsZeeN1ihEQTqo1uy-E/s320/grant.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5292649749186665026" border="0" /></a><br />Galena, IL, is the home of former President US Grant!<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMqNOausv_jYP3-iYemYfrbTlNxS4SXyMtG_k2CeZykn2ws25C8xW4MQqLO2QLQQqlWBqY8MHBLMrqCfND2qj5QOQaLaUur6Q0Vo9HVzAhvqTr2mV9pfkWqG3ZxxASW1yUEOLYqMDf5n0/s1600-h/granthome.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 216px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMqNOausv_jYP3-iYemYfrbTlNxS4SXyMtG_k2CeZykn2ws25C8xW4MQqLO2QLQQqlWBqY8MHBLMrqCfND2qj5QOQaLaUur6Q0Vo9HVzAhvqTr2mV9pfkWqG3ZxxASW1yUEOLYqMDf5n0/s320/granthome.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5292649753199418274" border="0" /></a>Sarah really wanted to see his home. This is it. It took us over an hour to hike through hills and snow, only to find that it was right around the corner from where we started!<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcfxOjFOHwAmlYM7JVmjVMCrzzcT6NTiHhxML_mGbK6qtPw27XeQo7SOBLIpD_1wbsEnJrQ8fi-hxtKPz6MN05R0D2H9ujM9lBC-ZFo6dcBOxFqrNQdc_B6jDY9z9E-EnVvDT8LtqdRbc/s1600-h/greatview1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 216px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcfxOjFOHwAmlYM7JVmjVMCrzzcT6NTiHhxML_mGbK6qtPw27XeQo7SOBLIpD_1wbsEnJrQ8fi-hxtKPz6MN05R0D2H9ujM9lBC-ZFo6dcBOxFqrNQdc_B6jDY9z9E-EnVvDT8LtqdRbc/s320/greatview1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5292649762356327650" border="0" /></a>Galena is a very hilly place (well, most of that corner of the state is!). This is a view from the top of the city looking down. Some truly beautiful views that we don't have here by the big lake!<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi982REY4GWhyphenhyphengrgCv1E5882QbmrmD4f7BYPLnZ9mxYJBUVsUd95BZ0LZotykKdcA1VwKkjJkuYcfMVxr9mMfU7YlP2cLGkNzkONCwxoF7J_DB7E6t7uqQ0pzWHMpeUjobwI7vNdhyphenhyphenKBwU/s1600-h/longsteps.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 216px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi982REY4GWhyphenhyphengrgCv1E5882QbmrmD4f7BYPLnZ9mxYJBUVsUd95BZ0LZotykKdcA1VwKkjJkuYcfMVxr9mMfU7YlP2cLGkNzkONCwxoF7J_DB7E6t7uqQ0pzWHMpeUjobwI7vNdhyphenhyphenKBwU/s320/longsteps.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5292649768257391826" border="0" /></a>How do you get from the top of the city to the bottom? Well, there are these loooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooong stairs that you can travel. Sarah and I took them. I nearly ended the marriage because she made me do this! This is the view from the bottom.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEighiHT2RMt255ieMJcDY2RTF5RdCStnFpTBXs-qah1hUTJiRC67pTbG6gr7QXRQazdMSe9GnMOnJMmXk8TzsFAVBMy1hkWR0yDuHFK5iAcRH44XZP1AhsE1pxikUT8Bw5LeMGyy0GH0GE/s1600-h/viewfromtop.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 216px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEighiHT2RMt255ieMJcDY2RTF5RdCStnFpTBXs-qah1hUTJiRC67pTbG6gr7QXRQazdMSe9GnMOnJMmXk8TzsFAVBMy1hkWR0yDuHFK5iAcRH44XZP1AhsE1pxikUT8Bw5LeMGyy0GH0GE/s320/viewfromtop.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5292651856355138866" border="0" /></a>And...pant, pant, pant...is the...pant...view from the top!<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj96xndake82I89iloQHxj89cBf5m15tzDU4LRbsKqGP2arX7Px_bzR84xeflOpA-0uov_jRuOEB0K_8kkgwxkBVMxN5gdOwr8u-g9omyNwC9daxlcGK0mRQMo6cqrJQjDRFB1uZjJ_bbk/s1600-h/of.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 216px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj96xndake82I89iloQHxj89cBf5m15tzDU4LRbsKqGP2arX7Px_bzR84xeflOpA-0uov_jRuOEB0K_8kkgwxkBVMxN5gdOwr8u-g9omyNwC9daxlcGK0mRQMo6cqrJQjDRFB1uZjJ_bbk/s320/of.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5292651874381285986" border="0" /></a><br />This is the view as you drive into the historic downtown area. For those of you who remember the show <span style="font-style: italic;">Murder, She Wrote</span>, I kept waiting for Jessica Fletcher to come riding by on her bike waving to us!<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMRho-xPSOuFVesTH3eOBK5cqcIQX4QI9ngNKgPV_lVj5ORW5NQYv0C_86OOGj2cIMb66VahrZ4IQ6OCX5Qbp8e77eQvGxF7blR-xi07aGOCYejW27y3m-ebv9VrgFyXfkOrEtn5mHSF0/s1600-h/dowling.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 216px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMRho-xPSOuFVesTH3eOBK5cqcIQX4QI9ngNKgPV_lVj5ORW5NQYv0C_86OOGj2cIMb66VahrZ4IQ6OCX5Qbp8e77eQvGxF7blR-xi07aGOCYejW27y3m-ebv9VrgFyXfkOrEtn5mHSF0/s320/dowling.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5292651855134547090" border="0" /></a>This is the Dowling House, where Grant learned he was elected President. At least we think it is the Dowling House; there was no sign labelling it as such. It seems like it's being used as a regular residence. How interesting would it be to live somewhere where something historical took place?<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi929iQ_3er_N9DtlpJ7btew0iLdgEWPR9nTSexZQhKRRd6porHojMV1vZ7QbHZm9u4UJp_HGsXjUpyRGZXJmuxq5rsuIVsNm2PxOR94lOXhX8goUa2ZuyPmptTvJcHDZwTs8T5CQZraj4/s1600-h/cooops.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 216px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi929iQ_3er_N9DtlpJ7btew0iLdgEWPR9nTSexZQhKRRd6porHojMV1vZ7QbHZm9u4UJp_HGsXjUpyRGZXJmuxq5rsuIVsNm2PxOR94lOXhX8goUa2ZuyPmptTvJcHDZwTs8T5CQZraj4/s320/cooops.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5292653387067939266" border="0" /></a>This sign welcomes you to a small, volunteer-run art store, and the only place in town where there are public restrooms. Look closely at the sign, though; do you see a spelling "oops"?Lake Central Theatre Companyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15976541342745601680noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8268341482535638116.post-69701878050532620872009-01-05T13:49:00.000-08:002009-01-05T14:15:26.433-08:00The AftermathOk, so that title doesn't reflect the mood of what it's like being married, but the first few days feel like the quiet AFTER a big storm. The wedding was beautiful, with no glitches. After we got up the next morning, we drove to Galena, Illinois to go to a bed and breakfast to relax. Having never been to one before, I didn't know what to expect. I did make the reservation, and I was excited about the jacuzzi in the room and the seven-course meal that we had, but we honestly felt like we were a million miles away. No more stress about the wedding, no more worries about paying for things, we could finally be married and relax. So here are some pictures of our 52 hour honeymoon (and yes, 52 hours can feel like a WONDERFUL honeymoon!):<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEsfGBx9KjYxrYkg6JwqH9KQNUer8nYcVAaAdYCvKSda3AQyzgN2zOSbhB-Y0KxzODtyw2Cf3rJgIiDjNYn6Vo0YGLdJUumfzTJxrCb5RFzx4_LEGw7bxLt_K-jl1bLIwPiaUWEWk2yJU/s1600-h/outside.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEsfGBx9KjYxrYkg6JwqH9KQNUer8nYcVAaAdYCvKSda3AQyzgN2zOSbhB-Y0KxzODtyw2Cf3rJgIiDjNYn6Vo0YGLdJUumfzTJxrCb5RFzx4_LEGw7bxLt_K-jl1bLIwPiaUWEWk2yJU/s320/outside.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5287933163294452226" border="0" /></a><br />The outside of the Goldmoor. The door on the right goes to the restaurant, and the door in the middle goes into our group of suites.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVQFVeSgZAt2hUIkd5X98Gb6B-DZcFtaypyBeXxsf8xeJoRQ4T7FXcH0yWlkp4SV6eKH8FX8aXbt_aGvVHNXkpOR1g_chYjsm4MpHiXTVBFuXQu4M-qEAzlVJMVgQL2n43v9flpBjFQMA/s1600-h/entryway.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVQFVeSgZAt2hUIkd5X98Gb6B-DZcFtaypyBeXxsf8xeJoRQ4T7FXcH0yWlkp4SV6eKH8FX8aXbt_aGvVHNXkpOR1g_chYjsm4MpHiXTVBFuXQu4M-qEAzlVJMVgQL2n43v9flpBjFQMA/s320/entryway.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5287933179154023602" border="0" /></a>The building has a grand hall that leads to four separate suites. Ours was lucky #13.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh43k0hjU8OP7ZQMu_0BY6GaxPEXKtW-JZ3IyEx5tNPRCUbFBT2uSK8FZAj0y3ZZg-WKW7cALXrkkeJd8Yrm5QOptkC8GXN5StU1Eohg6xpL7YB4FptJsYA7mk27m0gqPZKJS6OGbz0ROg/s1600-h/PC290010.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh43k0hjU8OP7ZQMu_0BY6GaxPEXKtW-JZ3IyEx5tNPRCUbFBT2uSK8FZAj0y3ZZg-WKW7cALXrkkeJd8Yrm5QOptkC8GXN5StU1Eohg6xpL7YB4FptJsYA7mk27m0gqPZKJS6OGbz0ROg/s320/PC290010.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5287933183580823394" border="0" /></a>An overall view of the room. The bathroom was HUGE, and just off to the right was our little kitchenette!<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjljWGA8h3tgQk_FJxK77AtxlyqQASER1AnyRujAHzpXQB1THLBnL1HW7FCI0Kl3Iz-dIU3blRN9hayF82axUJUiO6gaOUnwYaMlPhaaZLhjHsfLY5E3Mw5WPOAM79Sz26ShMSnmfp1ZC0/s1600-h/jacuzzi.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjljWGA8h3tgQk_FJxK77AtxlyqQASER1AnyRujAHzpXQB1THLBnL1HW7FCI0Kl3Iz-dIU3blRN9hayF82axUJUiO6gaOUnwYaMlPhaaZLhjHsfLY5E3Mw5WPOAM79Sz26ShMSnmfp1ZC0/s320/jacuzzi.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5287933197464955282" border="0" /></a>Our jacuzzi. They provided the bubble solution to make it nice and foamy!<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXbGBWkPqkcaJTxWSv4OZwAPTQknAxppelccJ5qUujhyphenhyphen3uHohpkrsg_AqUpa7ZNHIe3ZYsfg46YbVjrgqUyk4N3CKUrEZKoIgs_cMqPDqJEW29V0QX6w7lwvRJjsbmanf87dA-S3DynC4/s1600-h/honeymoonpkg.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXbGBWkPqkcaJTxWSv4OZwAPTQknAxppelccJ5qUujhyphenhyphen3uHohpkrsg_AqUpa7ZNHIe3ZYsfg46YbVjrgqUyk4N3CKUrEZKoIgs_cMqPDqJEW29V0QX6w7lwvRJjsbmanf87dA-S3DynC4/s320/honeymoonpkg.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5287933203013958402" border="0" /></a>As part of our honeymoon package, we received a bottle of champagne, two flutes, and chocolate-covered strawberries. YUM!<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1ptfMXXfvjqvI9q45DBogyiCMQyNYI0NKMPZNzr3VEOluUt8yppPQ-cyALYJBV8GqV7Uffhos3vSSmqAJP7B_nmMSN4r6rBjF0NzxIyv7U0W7sEa49pkcrMJC7AQtwXYncP0UwuHrWY8/s1600-h/breaky.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1ptfMXXfvjqvI9q45DBogyiCMQyNYI0NKMPZNzr3VEOluUt8yppPQ-cyALYJBV8GqV7Uffhos3vSSmqAJP7B_nmMSN4r6rBjF0NzxIyv7U0W7sEa49pkcrMJC7AQtwXYncP0UwuHrWY8/s320/breaky.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5287935432080839042" border="0" /></a><br />A warm, freshly-cooked breakfast was served each morning. We just called, and it came up in 15 minutes. And yes, this is how they set it up for us! <br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivHZvKvI0uA8JxKkihxuGEWv5zRDBWho90Ot5iQ0cpeXjquqvKKl0-drUZJHapjFfih2BUODpJqwnBR0kSLxuQqeBhxi41yaUzQnJsd8bthXz__dkJTodZoaIlpJuoJdWQohNxvnVHgng/s1600-h/mississippi.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivHZvKvI0uA8JxKkihxuGEWv5zRDBWho90Ot5iQ0cpeXjquqvKKl0-drUZJHapjFfih2BUODpJqwnBR0kSLxuQqeBhxi41yaUzQnJsd8bthXz__dkJTodZoaIlpJuoJdWQohNxvnVHgng/s320/mississippi.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5287935419277478018" border="0" /></a>A look at the Mighty Mississippi. This was our view from our kitchenette, though the camera worked better when we were standing outside. A horse stable is just below us for horse riding in warmer weather. <br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />This was a superb place to spend a couple of days, and it didn't cost much more than a nice room at the Holiday Inn (believe me, we stayed at both!). Check them out at www.goldmoor.com. <br /><br />Coming later this week: pictures of a long but fruitful day in downtown Galena!Lake Central Theatre Companyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15976541342745601680noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8268341482535638116.post-75056677784837253662008-12-22T05:57:00.000-08:002008-12-22T06:16:06.931-08:00D minus 6 and counting...Well, as the excitement for the wedding continues to build, this weekend's weather has really made life interesting.<br /><br />I was going to post about our experiences with planning the liturgy, but got sidetracked by the weather. However, that meeting went very well, and Sarah and I have chosen readings, hymns and songs that will make the day extremely poignant.<br /><br />And now onto the weather. On Thursday the meteorologists were predicting snow and ice storms. Of course, because Friday was to be our last day before break, the kids were fantasizing about having a snow day. Looking at the weather forecasts all day, I played Mr. Rational and said that I thought we'd have a 2-hour delay, but I doubted we would have a cancellation.<br /><br />Well, feed me worms and call me stinky (any Perfect Strangers fans out there remember that one?)! We DID have a school cancellation! Apparently the ice was so bad that the roads were unable to be safely navigated by the buses. I'm glad I didn't bet my kids on this one; the last time I did that I had to buy donuts (and no, I'm not talking donut holes...actual donuts) for my first hour class.<br /><br />I will admit that I enjoyed the early break. With less than a week to the wedding, it was nice to have an extra day to kick back and get some little things done. Heck, I hadn't even begun my Christmas shopping yet!<br /><br />Things went downhill, though, while I was out running errands Friday morning (yeah, I should have been a mailman--I'll go out in just about any weather!), and Sarah called to tell me that tree branches had fallen on our power lines, bringing them down. Oddly enough, we still had power, but Frieda could not go outside because we didn't know how safe it was.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivo-1vjuJ48cPn73P0HMtwdeYDVUggDcuw1bvXenL8PYEuwUMi6RQMYOleI-RYjdswVt3sJO6URKhFIQqFQ2VXi2ip4Qzc2vQKqsq7z2IeS7d4JQ6TEo401RcjF2FzKF3SI62exdwN8vE/s1600-h/102B3020.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivo-1vjuJ48cPn73P0HMtwdeYDVUggDcuw1bvXenL8PYEuwUMi6RQMYOleI-RYjdswVt3sJO6URKhFIQqFQ2VXi2ip4Qzc2vQKqsq7z2IeS7d4JQ6TEo401RcjF2FzKF3SI62exdwN8vE/s320/102B3020.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5282617439944154386" border="0" /></a><br /><br />It was not until Saturday afternoon that NIPSCO came to fix the lines. That may seem like a long time, but I had never seen ice covering branches before, and apparently lines were down all over Northern Indiana. When our repairmen came, we asked how long he had been working. He replied that he had been going non-stop since Thursday, and probably wouldn't be <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaNbBZNJOVJPcsFkY9yvhGUzdSY2gapYCG8FibESp3_M_8v3Zat-s2cB_vnXHBVrQoSOBuHYElG2r7ujHvcHd0iloJp8tQmTdfFVpfhwx61DBPfynf6g6MjPwXVImmtyhZbhO_OSTtcjI/s1600-h/102B3010.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaNbBZNJOVJPcsFkY9yvhGUzdSY2gapYCG8FibESp3_M_8v3Zat-s2cB_vnXHBVrQoSOBuHYElG2r7ujHvcHd0iloJp8tQmTdfFVpfhwx61DBPfynf6g6MjPwXVImmtyhZbhO_OSTtcjI/s320/102B3010.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5282617434342880402" border="0" /></a>done until Tuesday. My hats off to those people for braving the elements like that!<br /><br />While we didn't lose power, Sarah's parents did for awhile, and my sister and brother-in-law had some power surges. Luckily, as of this posting, everyone is doing well. Today's high temperature is only going to be about 6 degrees, but it will be warming up over the next few days. The forecast for Saturday is for temperatures in the 30s with a chance of rain/snow. We'll see how it goes though. That's still SIX DAYS AWAY!Lake Central Theatre Companyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15976541342745601680noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8268341482535638116.post-63441128335706347592008-12-16T18:31:00.000-08:002008-12-16T18:46:25.477-08:00Final CountdownWell, after nearly a year of talking about it and thinking it was so far away, Sarah and I are now ten days away from getting married. Today we went to the county government complex to get our marriage license. That was an interesting trip.<br /><br />When we got to the Clerk's Office, there was what looked like a line of people waiting. I looked in the office, and a couple was just coming out. The people in the hall that I thought was a line was actually the family of the couple. Apparently they had just gotten married. Now I've heard of people getting married by a Justice of the Peace, but it was strange to see that someone had just done it. In fact, adjoining the dinky, worn-out office was a chapel that was decorated in they typical white netting. Add that to the fact that Sarah and I overheard them talking about going to the Cracker Barrel to celebrate made us smile. Not your typical wedding plans, but when two people are in love, it's hard to keep them down.<br /><br />The next interesting event was that the one clerk in the office was an amazing multi-<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">tasker</span>. In addition to handling our license, she was getting certified copies for another couple that had just gotten married as well as answered the phone for several other people wanting to know about getting a license.<br /><br />Finally, though, we had all the paperwork filled out and <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">received</span> our license. The clerk then had us raise our right hands and swear that we were doing this of sound mind and body. One of the questions asked us if we were under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Technically you are supposed to respond "yes" or "no." My response? "Just love." Sarah, the clerk, and another worker who was in the office all cracked up. I figured the workers would have heard that line before. Isn't that why everyone gets married? <br /><br />Tomorrow is our meeting with Sister Joanne, who will help us set the ceremony. Sarah and I have selected the readings and prayers for the service, and we'll be talking about it with Sister Joanne tomorrow. More on that when we return!Lake Central Theatre Companyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15976541342745601680noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8268341482535638116.post-36002437423238123482008-11-22T16:01:00.000-08:002008-11-22T16:15:33.690-08:00An Exhausting DaySo today was full of workshops. It all started at 8 AM with a workshop on how California has worked to better prepare high school students for college writing. Their methodology and research was strong, but I left when it began to get to be more about the programming that they do and the professional development they employ to prepare teachers for all of it. <br /><br />The next workshop was on visual learning. I must have misread the description because it ended up being about using pictures to help students learn. I left early, and since there was no other workshop that session that I wanted to attend (a rarity at this convention...each session features some 40-50 workshops, and none are repeated!), I had a little break to take some pictures. <br /><br />The highlight though, was this afternoon when I went to see my good friends Carla Beard and Nancy Patterson, colleagues through the listserv, presented on using blogs and wikis in the classroom. I had experimented with wikis during the summer, and of course I blog, but I came away really wanting to have students use these tools of technology to collaborate and share their ideas! <br /><br />During my downtime, as I said, I took a few pictures, but mostly just browsed around the area some more. I discovered a church that is literally trapped on three sides by the shopping mall that is next to my hotel. It's called St. Joseph's Downtown Church, and it is a Catholic Church established in 1868. I visited inside and it was an awe-inspiring 15 minutes of wandering around, admiring the architecture and decoration. If you didn't know it, you wouldn't think that there was a shopping mall 15 feet on the other side of the wall. I'm thinking of attending Mass there tomorrow morning to see what it is like. <br /><br />For my last night in San Antonio, I think I'm going to stay in. My feet are extremely sore, and I'm very tired after all the walking around. I am looking forward to returning home and to school to try out some of the ideas I have, and to share the wealth of knowledge I have gleaned! <br /><br />See you all soon!Lake Central Theatre Companyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15976541342745601680noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8268341482535638116.post-27527640902931826832008-11-21T21:56:00.000-08:002008-11-21T22:39:11.159-08:00The Talkie Dinner<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitjV-FLwX2c5NsIuuJq6Y6fM1hHtv3oufjvVsLk_2li0x0luqznFLKdj4iUEcjGWLm3uCD77wkOrmcP0Tf4ffH-y0yw7TWdHPF4SqrvxL2pdFsOn-g-xouOu2JcO5UXyRM7xVXNcG-FMA/s1600-h/gifts.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 234px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitjV-FLwX2c5NsIuuJq6Y6fM1hHtv3oufjvVsLk_2li0x0luqznFLKdj4iUEcjGWLm3uCD77wkOrmcP0Tf4ffH-y0yw7TWdHPF4SqrvxL2pdFsOn-g-xouOu2JcO5UXyRM7xVXNcG-FMA/s320/gifts.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5271360686250945266" border="0" /></a>The Talkie Dinner gifts: a daybook from Carla and a calculator and pen from Chet.<br /><br />Some of you reading this know what the Talkie Dinner, while others of you have only heard me talk about it. This meal, a tradition that has been going on for years on the Friday evening of the NCTE conference, is an annual gathering of those on the Engteach-talk listserv. We are educators of all levels, mostly with a focus on English. But for one night, instead of talking online, we meet face to face to talk about life and education.<br /><br />Those in attendance include the following<br /><ul><li>Ogre Art</li><li>Ray Palasz</li><li>Carla Beard (of webenglishteacher.com fame)</li><li>Fran Claggett (author of numerous daybooks as well as other books)</li><li>Sara Pace</li><li>Mary Silva</li><li>Linda Sparkuhl (who held a wonderful technology workshop with NWP today!)<br /></li><li>Chet Pryor (our organizer)</li><li>Mary Ann Yedinak</li><li>Jami Carlacio</li><li>Shelley Rodrigo</li><li>Devon (left no last name)</li><li>Ian (left no last name)</li></ul>Since many of our regulars were unable to attend, Chet invited people from other listservs, and it made the evening even more special. Being able to meet up with people from all parts of the country, from all walks of life, and yet with a common cause only solidifies our purpose in the world!<br /><br />The menu was spectacular, consisting of cheese, crackers, fruit, and some of the spiciest salsa we had ever tasted! Our meal options ranged from Veggie Napolitano to Blue Corn Enchiladas to Chicken Frances, and our dessert options were pecan creme brule or chocolate confusion.<br /><br />Though this year's gathering was smaller, the energy was no less so. We raised our glasses to those who were unable to join us, another tradition of the evening. May these pictures (and others that are posted on other blogs or sites) serve as a way for those who were absent to vicariously enjoy the evening.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeUDkiHFiBlEQLbcBLILnlw6qriRfqbg-H_qR7xCZIMixmGV7dIgFnlEZ5yw1E2Wle8Ar4cMGDIkeiGmvNskEFiPi_kwUbRw3PwAL9qcMjW1N58YkrG-XZSpO9Qzauh_wcdLbZa6siWU8/s1600-h/mariachi.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeUDkiHFiBlEQLbcBLILnlw6qriRfqbg-H_qR7xCZIMixmGV7dIgFnlEZ5yw1E2Wle8Ar4cMGDIkeiGmvNskEFiPi_kwUbRw3PwAL9qcMjW1N58YkrG-XZSpO9Qzauh_wcdLbZa6siWU8/s320/mariachi.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5271360699983807538" border="0" /></a>For a mere $8, the mariachi band came to serenade us! Ay, ay, ay, ay, it's the Frito Bandito! (That's for you, Ogre!)<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGsN5MpCxkryCEdAH91iMzlz2x4_0Gd34eBQCJBtG1qarmchmLr2RtYrgezNysKS7MVD34IbKlYpqggt4qfOkH7QxOMyLTtdI_0Jkdh2RpBkAbB_VPm4UhVHJCuS0ICktPRgLkF4V-Rd8/s1600-h/chickenenchilada.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGsN5MpCxkryCEdAH91iMzlz2x4_0Gd34eBQCJBtG1qarmchmLr2RtYrgezNysKS7MVD34IbKlYpqggt4qfOkH7QxOMyLTtdI_0Jkdh2RpBkAbB_VPm4UhVHJCuS0ICktPRgLkF4V-Rd8/s320/chickenenchilada.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5271360646568156706" border="0" /></a>A mouth-watering enchilada platter.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6hPT1EYEVNspQyRV9nBwBV6CSK9iT_m54wQgOvgbiWQS8vjjBGyiVWR2LNhoKOCMVVruz4Inuv9FI7HtZu30zx6d6B6znXd5y3l7n4tiXTC1HdBtxysv_4ztXivfQ1zB9dcDO8VNJ3yI/s1600-h/mmmmenchilada.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6hPT1EYEVNspQyRV9nBwBV6CSK9iT_m54wQgOvgbiWQS8vjjBGyiVWR2LNhoKOCMVVruz4Inuv9FI7HtZu30zx6d6B6znXd5y3l7n4tiXTC1HdBtxysv_4ztXivfQ1zB9dcDO8VNJ3yI/s320/mmmmenchilada.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5271363887898288818" border="0" /></a>MMMMMMMMM Enchilada!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeTvoFb8tUykRb3-ph5rhgGvW1uAIPOt4AKmhRGn2VGul4OIlp7Rx1TWQAhemDqJocAXlJCgg9wSSisLayIBagSAA-10g2glWSoXEwj4v0WPSApzNMWtHSkVaWsEY327O4OUWgK9ACfqw/s1600-h/carlas+toast.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeTvoFb8tUykRb3-ph5rhgGvW1uAIPOt4AKmhRGn2VGul4OIlp7Rx1TWQAhemDqJocAXlJCgg9wSSisLayIBagSAA-10g2glWSoXEwj4v0WPSApzNMWtHSkVaWsEY327O4OUWgK9ACfqw/s320/carlas+toast.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5271363891908123282" border="0" /></a>Carla toasts those in attendance as well as those who were unable to be there.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZzExD8O6GU8hasOy7tV6fNTfTcnNmC2STZV5EV-U74nc7stKiz9GIZe2oVqRoJvKtxicKuLo3Oq2WznEgxQw1GghmrWLhpy0OMYHDDl6w0ztvq1amygXsBOT-xdrpr5C2-zAP_K1pty8/s1600-h/chetmaryann.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZzExD8O6GU8hasOy7tV6fNTfTcnNmC2STZV5EV-U74nc7stKiz9GIZe2oVqRoJvKtxicKuLo3Oq2WznEgxQw1GghmrWLhpy0OMYHDDl6w0ztvq1amygXsBOT-xdrpr5C2-zAP_K1pty8/s320/chetmaryann.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5271363893215421650" border="0" /></a>Chet and Mary Ann talk. Mary Ann had some interesting stories about malapropisms!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfj4njnvIeiGxCDmS7E1vA00t3LzpowCAaPayWbiRK2bIQ9eoqEpkVlWZv2dBGnovTDL8HQn2WlhCfjH6Yzm65jBWsHKS4r4nGLWWTsfUTEnAm_TKT3yM_P1iMHKIIH6UnWVTyYSEbZgM/s1600-h/maryannjami.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfj4njnvIeiGxCDmS7E1vA00t3LzpowCAaPayWbiRK2bIQ9eoqEpkVlWZv2dBGnovTDL8HQn2WlhCfjH6Yzm65jBWsHKS4r4nGLWWTsfUTEnAm_TKT3yM_P1iMHKIIH6UnWVTyYSEbZgM/s320/maryannjami.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5271363898450655250" border="0" /></a>Mary Ann and Jami Carlacio look at some pictures on Jami's phone.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7u9f63m9ePHsxlGc5uavg82bjDy1r0IrscEQH10KfaTnvEeJZqWL08IUos2Dg4u_XIXIt85EuqjxDQ-E-fr9E03LOX8zsoaQlFxVGi4oRk5Zc9BYF2p4WEwXJvx8Qi8I8fqQBTc636Sc/s1600-h/ogrecarla.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 207px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7u9f63m9ePHsxlGc5uavg82bjDy1r0IrscEQH10KfaTnvEeJZqWL08IUos2Dg4u_XIXIt85EuqjxDQ-E-fr9E03LOX8zsoaQlFxVGi4oRk5Zc9BYF2p4WEwXJvx8Qi8I8fqQBTc636Sc/s320/ogrecarla.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5271363898460666946" border="0" /></a>Carla talks with a fellow diner while Art looks on at his gifts.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwvTTeiSEmLFu4X9-kGPJ1A55Ui1hP0LNh9HelinuBfwsBtND_BQOqFydf0Ao5dr6PaBQVutt4CsmraqmvlQ_2jLJ18J3SjW19AVdgyT8u7znkz_zVMPL2h2JkOQTMWWGxKATTcMYr8V8/s1600-h/chetmarysilva.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 197px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwvTTeiSEmLFu4X9-kGPJ1A55Ui1hP0LNh9HelinuBfwsBtND_BQOqFydf0Ao5dr6PaBQVutt4CsmraqmvlQ_2jLJ18J3SjW19AVdgyT8u7znkz_zVMPL2h2JkOQTMWWGxKATTcMYr8V8/s320/chetmarysilva.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5271365949570689538" border="0" /></a>Chet and Mary talk while Linda fills in the seating chart. Because of the new people to this year's dinner, I needed to know who was who in the pictures!<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_4B-QVtjkI7bsOtpX8JvT0GqieM9EWmui03adzb1RcDn19z0n-Ja2_69qEspQkoqF860n87HZAguI6eriQhLx9vv83NMMi1xvAXw_KbargLrhXqoiBRSOHdwoCkpgtg_GSTZNEVoQwvY/s1600-h/group+pic.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_4B-QVtjkI7bsOtpX8JvT0GqieM9EWmui03adzb1RcDn19z0n-Ja2_69qEspQkoqF860n87HZAguI6eriQhLx9vv83NMMi1xvAXw_KbargLrhXqoiBRSOHdwoCkpgtg_GSTZNEVoQwvY/s320/group+pic.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5271366759376164818" border="0" /></a>From left to right, going clockwise: Mary Silva, Linda Sparkuhl, Chet Pryor, Mary Ann Yedinak, Jami Carlacio, Shelley Rodrigo, Devon, Ian, Ogre Art, Ray Palasz, Carla Beard, Fran Clagget, Sara Pace.<br /><br />See you in Philadelphia!Lake Central Theatre Companyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15976541342745601680noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8268341482535638116.post-35152767154321733272008-11-21T14:30:00.001-08:002008-11-21T14:49:05.468-08:00Down To WorkOk, so lest those of you who read yesterday's post think that I'm simply taking a four-day weekend, today's blog should prove you wrong!<br /><br />The first thing you need to know is that last night we had some heavy winds, and today the temperature didn't get out of the mid-50s. Sure, it's still warmer than what we have back home in Northwest Indiana, but it should make you all happy that I'm not going to enjoy summer weather!<br /><br />Today's events began at 9:30 with the National Writing Project's Annual Meeting. This is when all of the sites of the NWP gather and hear from the President, Board of Directors, and the Inverness research people who study the NWP about what has happened in the past year and where we are going. This is my second year attending, but it feels like a big pep rally. For instance, the Inverness people, whom you would think would be boring and give stat after stat, put it all in economic terms. Turns out educators are capitalists in education because we make investments in our students. So then he had us look at the various kinds of capital we develop. Very interesting. <br /><br />After he spoke, the President of the National Writing Project's President, Sharon Washington, spoke about how writing and learning are connected. Her memorable anecdote involved her being the only black person at a small dinner gathering, and one of the other adults' child asked her if she was as colored all over as she was on her face! She used it as an example of how we sometimes stifle inquiry as we get older, and writing should be a way to change that trend.<br /><br />The final speaker was Delores Perez, who spoke about living near the Texas-Mexico border all of her life and realizing in her first year that her ability to communicate in two languages was hampered by the status quo at the time. What has stuck with (and I'm paraphrasing here, so Ms. Perez, forgive me if I'm wrong--leave a comment if you read this!) is that students should learn English, but never at the expense of their home language, their first language, or their culture. <br /><br />I felt very uplifted as an educator after that meeting. Though I only teach a couple of courses where writing is a core component, it made me realize that what I do in all of my classes is based on the premise that writing is thinking on paper, and therefore, I naturally incorporate writing.<br /><br />After the meeting, I had about an hour and a half before going to a workshop. I spent that time taking some pictures of the Alamo and the local area. I will post some pictures later on tonight. The Alamo is an interesting artifact, especially since it lies in the middle of the city!<br /><br />This afternoon I attended a workshop on making a writing project site's presence on the web be a tool for recruitment. Not only was it very informative, but as always, it spurred several ideas for future work with the Northwest Indiana Writing Project.<br /><br />I then spent the next hour and a half browsing the exhibitor's stations in the main convention hall. About 100 publishers and other educational companies come and showcase their wares. I picked up some free items (nothing too spectacular, but things that might help down the line), and talked with some people who truly care about education (as well as making a dollar).<br /><br />This post is being written in the little bit of down time that I have before going to the annual Talkie Dinner. I'll be dining with several people on a listserv for English teachers, and the NCTE conference is a way for us to all meet up face to face for a meal. The crowd will be smaller this year due to the economy, but the spirit will surely be alive. I will have pictures of that later on tonight or tomorrow.<br /><br />Tomorrow is another full day, starting at 8 AM. Hopefully, though, I'll be done by 5 PM, and then I can spend a little bit of time relaxing before the trek home on Sunday. I'm thinking of attending Mass at this old Catholic church around the corner. <br /><br />Pictures to come tonight!Lake Central Theatre Companyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15976541342745601680noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8268341482535638116.post-24380880366524442812008-11-20T11:52:00.000-08:002008-11-20T12:02:00.283-08:00Hey, Shift HappensThat's the theme for this year's National Council of Teachers of English Conference. Pretty funny, huh? So the kids aren't the only ones getting away with nearly cursing! Actually the theme is based on the fact that the role of education has shifted so much in the past century, and we are exploring the ways that we as educators can adapt. I'm hoping to sit and blog at least once a day about what's going on here.<br /><br />So let me tell you about my hotel. So I tried to find the least expensive conference hotel, and I reserved a room there. It's called the Menger Hotel. On Sunday, when I went to look at the amenities (I never even thought about that when I placed the reservation!), their website said that the hotel was built in 1959, and it is right next to the Alamo! I was thrilled to be so close to a piece of American history.<br /><br />After I checked in (and called tech support to help me get connected to the Internet), I looked out my window, and what do you think I saw?<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI898UP9DuzuzgD_k99BWh1XQLAq3c0nuzty9Hzgi7knagzsX4a0_ePbIuC6VIBfz3hD9Jo0nHH6IwOEnNcIaed77sz3DY2Eb9y2-G_4U2XtTWNOiVSnULUnsf1VGp90zdi4x6gdUwWUM/s1600-h/102_2760.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI898UP9DuzuzgD_k99BWh1XQLAq3c0nuzty9Hzgi7knagzsX4a0_ePbIuC6VIBfz3hD9Jo0nHH6IwOEnNcIaed77sz3DY2Eb9y2-G_4U2XtTWNOiVSnULUnsf1VGp90zdi4x6gdUwWUM/s320/102_2760.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5270831407593305810" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjyh9aN9MOXl29ZMZ3y1MJTNa6yz3mw701WBbmovide5bTeIAue5kBRBHkx2WfsWl8babbLAqOPLv5CQMzfLBpPw_ucl368jDbWaNdctpO7p-gYbZWMJoftrpYL6aGWw6aNJRDlxQ1TzY/s1600-h/102_2761.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjyh9aN9MOXl29ZMZ3y1MJTNa6yz3mw701WBbmovide5bTeIAue5kBRBHkx2WfsWl8babbLAqOPLv5CQMzfLBpPw_ucl368jDbWaNdctpO7p-gYbZWMJoftrpYL6aGWw6aNJRDlxQ1TzY/s320/102_2761.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5270831858168882642" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:180%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">THE ALAMO!</span></span><br /><br />I've already gone over to register at the convention, so now I'll have to spend some time planning what workshops to attend. The great thing about this conference is that there are soooo many great workshops. The worst thing is that there are soooo many great workshops! <br /><br />I'm off to plan (and enjoy the 70 degree weather!)<br /><span style="font-size:180%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"></span></span></div><span style="font-size:180%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /><br /></span></span></div>Lake Central Theatre Companyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15976541342745601680noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8268341482535638116.post-56955531330028958962008-11-13T19:47:00.001-08:002008-11-13T20:14:28.413-08:00It's a Girl!Weighing in at 6 pounds, 10 ounces and 20.5 inches, my sister and her husband gave birth to a girl tonight! Sarah and I met my mom and Jay's parents at the hospital at about 6:30. About 7:10, as we were starting to wonder why no one had come to give an update, Jay came out and said "It's a girl!" She entered the world at 6:56 PM<br /><br />All are doing well, and I'm thrilled to be an uncle! Here are some of the first pictures of her!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF7xbgHyEQlG97wcgD58RO9l1clPbjvwfddqqmqylypzDljnsGtCk1jts9H1AWEOL4fuddJuiZZjSdCa9eVLaKylEOx6vlH8S6AufVXk01XH9mPUe-VLgePOoO-HYWsvMLmxcDJPrlgXw/s1600-h/grandmakath+%2811%29.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF7xbgHyEQlG97wcgD58RO9l1clPbjvwfddqqmqylypzDljnsGtCk1jts9H1AWEOL4fuddJuiZZjSdCa9eVLaKylEOx6vlH8S6AufVXk01XH9mPUe-VLgePOoO-HYWsvMLmxcDJPrlgXw/s320/grandmakath+%2811%29.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5268360995068013970" border="0" /></a>Grabbing Grandma Barb's finger!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH5vZYUjEOuWYcW65IiTE4RMuZTNYsXFyRScB4lno_IQMXPbj65tK_-a6C7MOzbx7qBIixVi-OxKUJJuXDAYSyNg3OPj5niYkj2R9dwTv3iER-2F1fmy3GcJSifKP8gKtRm2_Sf7IF7rc/s1600-h/grandmakath+%2812%29.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH5vZYUjEOuWYcW65IiTE4RMuZTNYsXFyRScB4lno_IQMXPbj65tK_-a6C7MOzbx7qBIixVi-OxKUJJuXDAYSyNg3OPj5niYkj2R9dwTv3iER-2F1fmy3GcJSifKP8gKtRm2_Sf7IF7rc/s320/grandmakath+%2812%29.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5268360984829423250" border="0" /></a>"Ahh, what shall I do first?"<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQzKwleFhmp3i1_CbpSt4atQ92Lyy3EL1j8XdZtwUbkT_x6HfykcfN3ag-9lQeW01478dBNjsvDu5pettiCd96g9btHeNlkAB00OHJon58AwoD2c2I4i1yYVfEw72YPS3bop1M1E2EdSg/s1600-h/grandmakath+%2822%29.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 213px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQzKwleFhmp3i1_CbpSt4atQ92Lyy3EL1j8XdZtwUbkT_x6HfykcfN3ag-9lQeW01478dBNjsvDu5pettiCd96g9btHeNlkAB00OHJon58AwoD2c2I4i1yYVfEw72YPS3bop1M1E2EdSg/s320/grandmakath+%2822%29.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5268360983561632050" border="0" /></a>While we were holding her, these guys were texting their friends!<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEHZJsrQg_vhzc8K2a9xWn-ep6oejkF4xxjkvKGTrCmGlgB68uTL-DTHoR-ibmEBJdY8o31iDtKvKwPumE-xVVQnNdno808EWxTVBqw4l4rPdB-aybgOfJHwLhPgo0sIvQx5RDqxZ7Xug/s1600-h/grandmakath+%283%29.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEHZJsrQg_vhzc8K2a9xWn-ep6oejkF4xxjkvKGTrCmGlgB68uTL-DTHoR-ibmEBJdY8o31iDtKvKwPumE-xVVQnNdno808EWxTVBqw4l4rPdB-aybgOfJHwLhPgo0sIvQx5RDqxZ7Xug/s320/grandmakath+%283%29.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5268360036615157922" border="0" /></a>Introducing GRANDMA KATHY,<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjO6tCpYjP-Y462WgZDmGDHkjXt5HdNoLUQla71fz_MV3WHDevggWeBJ1kNeVhgC5OVXVj-rxb00WpqLjRICNJMWmnC-AnwVnbBhFZWBjqnnMEjU17bNOXc8pohY88l-we1H0NTKYmjXg/s1600-h/grampajay.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjO6tCpYjP-Y462WgZDmGDHkjXt5HdNoLUQla71fz_MV3WHDevggWeBJ1kNeVhgC5OVXVj-rxb00WpqLjRICNJMWmnC-AnwVnbBhFZWBjqnnMEjU17bNOXc8pohY88l-we1H0NTKYmjXg/s320/grampajay.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5268360027459723410" border="0" /></a>AND GRANDPA JAY!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWCLKj0yNs0C_ScCuA__b-UXZWD_GSgxnFARJsdjVmbQComNrlOUGl9P33N-SlDJU2syz061f5-9OAxo3Sgbcn3kTC_ChPHq402u8V3T5VRpgnAujp4YXSj9N5Uzht1D3etxBPyHEco3k/s1600-h/meandcg.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWCLKj0yNs0C_ScCuA__b-UXZWD_GSgxnFARJsdjVmbQComNrlOUGl9P33N-SlDJU2syz061f5-9OAxo3Sgbcn3kTC_ChPHq402u8V3T5VRpgnAujp4YXSj9N5Uzht1D3etxBPyHEco3k/s320/meandcg.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5268358393274370082" border="0" /></a>Here is UNCLE RAY with his favorite niece!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0aqS8KLUsgZk57qLFL5tf5cJ6_S7-tfsaSQj2XNRbp2ILIzwd_rbj_qIS9OET6Q0D1QhdS3oXXbnEQuPiLmB-dOOZWrvTJLau6KlECCuHXf7O8UJpGkj0Rn2AKfcxpJwvMikp-M7CyOU/s1600-h/sarahandcg.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0aqS8KLUsgZk57qLFL5tf5cJ6_S7-tfsaSQj2XNRbp2ILIzwd_rbj_qIS9OET6Q0D1QhdS3oXXbnEQuPiLmB-dOOZWrvTJLau6KlECCuHXf7O8UJpGkj0Rn2AKfcxpJwvMikp-M7CyOU/s320/sarahandcg.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5268358384759058386" border="0" /></a>Smile, AUNT SARAH!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpeFPg6AaG0X4vEdVBUHCbEFEc7pWZNX7_JRB4T5qBIF0rhFiVEpqUdRf9dTDtDVv9ZyDuxSWk0Ydfi0ggMNkkhsIK3wQNVwem43JR55svpAqQdV-o58O4xHWJWNx4zr5yVL86gtrEbsI/s1600-h/momandcg.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpeFPg6AaG0X4vEdVBUHCbEFEc7pWZNX7_JRB4T5qBIF0rhFiVEpqUdRf9dTDtDVv9ZyDuxSWk0Ydfi0ggMNkkhsIK3wQNVwem43JR55svpAqQdV-o58O4xHWJWNx4zr5yVL86gtrEbsI/s320/momandcg.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5268358380790554834" border="0" /></a>My mom, now a proud GRANDMOTHER!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtHM2pCam6ejGSabLaxNq62oQAsQ332bFegB000OPqQ_qNWwgSL9YaRwx4ZH5XhcmZeF6jWRE17pgolgnIbI1Q5UdAVrSYSbzUQ5WtTLc7zRgeONKEGueMVVqQ_ISfWgUk2-iCtIbvJDo/s1600-h/dadandcg.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtHM2pCam6ejGSabLaxNq62oQAsQ332bFegB000OPqQ_qNWwgSL9YaRwx4ZH5XhcmZeF6jWRE17pgolgnIbI1Q5UdAVrSYSbzUQ5WtTLc7zRgeONKEGueMVVqQ_ISfWgUk2-iCtIbvJDo/s320/dadandcg.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5268358372997976690" border="0" /></a>The proud papa!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi7kuTeE_PKuefnkGZbau6tACZu6-OnyjT8TIedXr9AQMHMR9WqQxOHOy_S5_eZ8I7ZoTmeBuFxZG4R75NY6o68CU7Jw9VEegJwqusV2OcQYsuiFZh6EyYKDR0MiKRoQZAiwECjjU5GRM/s1600-h/firstfam.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi7kuTeE_PKuefnkGZbau6tACZu6-OnyjT8TIedXr9AQMHMR9WqQxOHOy_S5_eZ8I7ZoTmeBuFxZG4R75NY6o68CU7Jw9VEegJwqusV2OcQYsuiFZh6EyYKDR0MiKRoQZAiwECjjU5GRM/s320/firstfam.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5268358363640117298" border="0" /></a>The first family portrait!<br /><br />Cassidy, welcome to this crazy, crazy family. I'll let you make the discoveries on your own, but know that despite our idiosyncrasies (not too soon to start developing your vocabulary!), we are full of love. God has truly blessed us tonight!<br /><img src="file:///C:/Users/Ray/Desktop/Cassidy%20Grace/102_2758.JPG" alt="" /><img src="file:///C:/Users/Ray/Desktop/Cassidy%20Grace/102_2757.JPG" alt="" /><img src="file:///C:/Users/Ray/Desktop/Cassidy%20Grace/102_2756.JPG" alt="" /><img src="file:///C:/Users/Ray/Desktop/Cassidy%20Grace/102_2755.JPG" alt="" /><img src="file:///C:/Users/Ray/Desktop/Cassidy%20Grace/102_2754.JPG" alt="" /><img src="file:///C:/Users/Ray/Desktop/Cassidy%20Grace/102_2753.JPG" alt="" /><img src="file:///C:/Users/Ray/Desktop/Cassidy%20Grace/102_2752.JPG" alt="" /><img src="file:///C:/Users/Ray/Desktop/Cassidy%20Grace/102_2751.JPG" alt="" /><img src="file:///C:/Users/Ray/Desktop/Cassidy%20Grace/102_2750.JPG" alt="" /><img src="file:///C:/Users/Ray/Desktop/Cassidy%20Grace/102_2749.JPG" alt="" /><img src="file:///C:/Users/Ray/Desktop/Cassidy%20Grace/102_2748.JPG" alt="" /><img src="file:///C:/Users/Ray/Desktop/Cassidy%20Grace/102_2747.JPG" alt="" /><img src="file:///C:/Users/Ray/Desktop/Cassidy%20Grace/102_2746.JPG" alt="" /><img src="file:///C:/Users/Ray/Desktop/Cassidy%20Grace/102_2745.JPG" alt="" /><img src="file:///C:/Users/Ray/Desktop/Cassidy%20Grace/102_2744.JPG" alt="" /><img src="file:///C:/Users/Ray/Desktop/Cassidy%20Grace/102_2743.JPG" alt="" /><img src="file:///C:/Users/Ray/Desktop/Cassidy%20Grace/102_2742.JPG" alt="" /><img src="file:///C:/Users/Ray/Desktop/Cassidy%20Grace/102_2741.JPG" alt="" /><img src="file:///C:/Users/Ray/Desktop/Cassidy%20Grace/102_2740.JPG" alt="" /><img src="file:///C:/Users/Ray/Desktop/Cassidy%20Grace/102_2739.JPG" alt="" /><img src="file:///C:/Users/Ray/Desktop/Cassidy%20Grace/102_2738.JPG" alt="" /><img src="file:///C:/Users/Ray/Desktop/Cassidy%20Grace/102_2737.JPG" alt="" /><img src="file:///C:/Users/Ray/Desktop/Cassidy%20Grace/102_2758.JPG" alt="" /><img src="file:///C:/Users/Ray/Desktop/Cassidy%20Grace/102_2757.JPG" alt="" /><img src="file:///C:/Users/Ray/Desktop/Cassidy%20Grace/102_2756.JPG" alt="" /><img src="file:///C:/Users/Ray/Desktop/Cassidy%20Grace/102_2755.JPG" alt="" /><img src="file:///C:/Users/Ray/Desktop/Cassidy%20Grace/102_2754.JPG" alt="" /><img src="file:///C:/Users/Ray/Desktop/Cassidy%20Grace/102_2753.JPG" alt="" /><img src="file:///C:/Users/Ray/Desktop/Cassidy%20Grace/102_2752.JPG" alt="" /><img src="file:///C:/Users/Ray/Desktop/Cassidy%20Grace/102_2751.JPG" alt="" /><img src="file:///C:/Users/Ray/Desktop/Cassidy%20Grace/102_2750.JPG" alt="" /><img src="file:///C:/Users/Ray/Desktop/Cassidy%20Grace/102_2749.JPG" alt="" /><img src="file:///C:/Users/Ray/Desktop/Cassidy%20Grace/102_2748.JPG" alt="" /><img src="file:///C:/Users/Ray/Desktop/Cassidy%20Grace/102_2747.JPG" alt="" /><img src="file:///C:/Users/Ray/Desktop/Cassidy%20Grace/102_2746.JPG" alt="" /><img src="file:///C:/Users/Ray/Desktop/Cassidy%20Grace/102_2745.JPG" alt="" /><img src="file:///C:/Users/Ray/Desktop/Cassidy%20Grace/102_2744.JPG" alt="" /><img src="file:///C:/Users/Ray/Desktop/Cassidy%20Grace/102_2743.JPG" alt="" /><img src="file:///C:/Users/Ray/Desktop/Cassidy%20Grace/102_2742.JPG" alt="" /><img src="file:///C:/Users/Ray/Desktop/Cassidy%20Grace/102_2741.JPG" alt="" /><img src="file:///C:/Users/Ray/Desktop/Cassidy%20Grace/102_2740.JPG" alt="" /><img src="file:///C:/Users/Ray/Desktop/Cassidy%20Grace/102_2739.JPG" alt="" /><img src="file:///C:/Users/Ray/Desktop/Cassidy%20Grace/102_2738.JPG" alt="" /><img src="file:///C:/Users/Ray/Desktop/Cassidy%20Grace/102_2737.JPG" alt="" />Lake Central Theatre Companyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15976541342745601680noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8268341482535638116.post-7184966845550303182008-10-04T17:27:00.000-07:002008-10-04T17:37:52.563-07:00....and the momentum begins to increaseIt's 7:30 PM on a Saturday night, and I'm watching the Three Stooges. I love the Stooges. Before I met Sarah, watching old TV on Saturday nights would be a regular thing for me to do. She's at her mom's now, working on some things for the wedding shower.<br /><br />And that's what is prompting this blog posting. A year ago, watching the Stooges was just another habit I had. A routine for the weekend, usually after a day of building the set for the show or doing yardwork. But oh how much can happen in the course of one year. A year ago I had only begun dating Sarah, and at about this time I was thinking that maybe, just maybe, she was the one for me. As I write this I am less than three months (84 days to be exact) from walking down the aisle and taking her as my wife. The planning is done, and the shower is November 1. But it's starting to feel real now, and though I'm enjoying the day and evening by myself, it makes me realize how much I love having her around. And no, Sarah, I don't just keep you around to cook for me; that's just an added bonus!<br /><br />Just as exciting is the fact that in just over a month (or earlier if God wills it!), I will be an uncle. My sister told us she was pregnant in March, but I am amazed at how quickly the time has gone by. I'm just excited to be an uncle! Hopefully all will go well in these final weeks and God will bless us with a healthy child! Don't ask what the sex of the baby is, though, because they don't know. Stephanie and Jay elected to be surprised, so everything they are doing for the baby is done with this in mind. So in addition to the excitement of a baby in general is the excitement of not knowing what kind of baby they will have! <br /><br />This new arrival, in addition to my mom's wedding and my own coming up, have really made this year exciting! I am starting to get sad for it to end!Lake Central Theatre Companyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15976541342745601680noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8268341482535638116.post-23950160629801931222008-09-04T18:56:00.000-07:002008-09-04T19:02:57.499-07:00Coming Up for AirWell, after two full weeks of school, I'm coming up for air. Ok, so it's not too terrible. I have my tech classes starting up this fall, and in addition to that I get to teach senior composition and speech. So the schedule is good, except I don't get a plan period with Brandi or Sarah (my Sarah, not Carrie's Sarah!). <br /><br />I'm all my enthusiasm, however, I swamped myself with a lot of written work in ALL of my classes at the beginning of the semester. So when I came in on Tuesday this week facing a pile of work to go through, I knew I needed to get down to business. I busted my butt all day at school and brought papers home at night. I'm to the point now where I can finish the rest of the work at school, thank goodness. So tonight I'm sitting here just relaxing, listening to the rain outside and waiting for Senator McCain give his acceptance speech at the RNC. Not that I'm supporting him (though he's not a bad guy), but Sarah sat with me during the DNC, so I am repaying the favor tonight.<br /><br />And whatever your affiliation, get out and vote this November 4!Lake Central Theatre Companyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15976541342745601680noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8268341482535638116.post-33875420500021407722008-08-09T12:59:00.000-07:002008-08-09T13:17:17.310-07:00Jury DutyFor years I've said that I wanted to be called for jury duty. Well, the day finally came on July7 21 when I had to report to the East Chicago courthouse for jury duty. On that day numbers 1-70 had to show up. Well, only 23 people came. Do I really think that 47 people were excused? NO! <br /><br />Since this was a civil trial, only six jurors and one alternate were picked, and I ended up being one of them. More interesting was the fact that in the group of people called to be questioned for jury duty were two former Lake Central students. Too bad they didn't get picked! However, one of the jurors grew up down the street from Sarah and another has kids at Lake Central.<br /><br />The trial lasted three days, including deliberations. It involved allegations of neglect by the City of Gary when they demolished a building. Apparently the demolition process damaged the building right next to it. The two buildings were built right next to each other, and the evidence pretty clearly indicated that Gary didn't do enough to prevent this from happening. <br /><br />I served as the foreperson of the jury, which didn't mean much except signing the verdict paper and standing when the judge asked me to and give the verdict paper to the bailiff. I guess now I should be careful when I go through Gary since I was the leader of the group that found them liable! It was pretty exciting to help come to the conclusion that the plaintiff was entitled to about $150,000. <br /><br />Probably the most humorous moment of the trial was during the closing arguments when the attorney for the City of Gary called the plaintiff's theory that the city had caused the damage the "single crane theory" because one crane had caused all that damage. Because the lawyer looked like Johnnie Cochran, it was hard for us not to laugh and compare it to the infamous glove of the OJ trial.<br /><br />Though I lost three days of prepping for school, the experience was thrilling. The judge and bailiffs were courteous and friendly. The only drawback was that the trial was rescheduled from Crown Point, and the judge had to take recesses to conduct other hearings. But it was rewarding to fulfill my civic duty, and I hope that after two years, I'll get the chance to do it again. Maybe a criminal trial next time :).Lake Central Theatre Companyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15976541342745601680noreply@blogger.com0