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Lolli and Roy. Direct from my friend Heidi’s parents ranch in the Sandhills. They were born around Easter and arrived Friday night. Future rapscallions.
I’ll be honest, in this picture I can’t tell who is who. Right now the only way I can tell them apart is Lolli is a bit darker on the shoulder blades. I think Roy will grow larger, but right now they move too damn fast for me to make a distinction.
Or should be: I have returned? After a long absence I’ve decided to start blogging again. Most of you know the changes in my life, but for those who don’t, I was diagnosed with ALS, better known as Lou Gehrig’s Disease, last October. I cannot adequately express the support I have received, often from people unlooked for.
Among the many tools I’ve learned from my counselor while coping with a fatal disease, or as she likes to call it, chronic illness,” is: Living to live.” Sounds kinda simple, but I’m not quickest study. In that vein, this blog will not dwell on my condition, but what is inevitable for all of us: Life. And since it is my blog, mostly my life.
This is what I did last night.
All the legitimate reasons for not getting a tattoo no longer apply to me. Nate is the artist at Iron Brush Tattoo. He plays in my golf league and did an exceptional job, as you can see.
Researching for a design representing courage and strength, I decided on Koi fish, a classic Japanese style tattoo. Orange and yellow also represent those characteristics. Plus I’m a Pisces and like sushi. I put it on my left shoulder because that is where the ALS started.
I hope this all looks okay online. It’s been so long I’ve forgotten the nuances of posting images.
Thanks to Eric for taking these pictures.
Here’s a few pictures that’ve been kicking around awhile that I haven’t posted yet. Some are kinda old, like from February.
This bunch is much less annoying than the usuall riff-raff around my place, but they won’t be staying long.
We just finished up our spring run of high school tournaments culminating with boys basketball last weekend. Always fun, but by the end of a month of weekend championships, preceded by districts, it turns into a grind. I shot the Hay Springs flag team for part of an online feature story. Playing around with shutter speeds I got this. I’m not sure one could tell what it is unless told, and maybe that’s why I like it.
No, it’s not the local mosque, or Japanese restaurant, but Gwyneth’s home, where she and Ryan ever so neatly arrange their shoes, and the guests’, by the front door. Seems like a lot of shoes for just two people.
Once upon a time, I had hair, here’s the proof: A visual documentation of my evolution from innocent cherub into the demonic being I now am. I thought it appropriate to share these on my birthday.
Kindergarten, first and second grades.
Third, fourth and fifth grades. I got glasses in third grade.
Sixth, ninth and tenth grades.
Ah, yes. Senior (with contacts). You can’t tell, but that’s a corduroy suit. Gotta love the 70′s. And I can’t tie a tie that well anymore.
An imp sits upon my shoulder.
I’ve been wanting a point-and-shoot for a long time and finally got one. I didn’t research a whole lot, putting a priority on a 28mm and manuel settings. Ended up with a Nikon. Haven’t played with it a whole lot. This is at 1600 and I worked it a fair amount. Overall, I think it will do the job.
I couldn’t get the flag in this picture, but I don’t think it’s needed.
Maintaining the proud tradition of yearly review, these pictures from 2008, from both work and play, all mean something to me above and beyond their photographic integrity, or lack there-of. Click the thumbs to relive 2008 bigger.
A new year, a new look, blog-wise anyway, since there’s not much I can do about my mug. I added categories because if I didn’t, there was no point is using this way cool theme. Don’t worry. All new posts are displayed up front and you won’t have to go hunting for them. They will be categorized if you want to come back and look at them again, like, maybe for your PhD research or something. The old blog will exist in cyberspace until the Rapture (click the Sower for 2008).
For those of you who like to comment, I am simplifying things. You will not have to register or go through that whole rigmarole anymore. Can’t say that I’ve ever seen inappropriate comments on blogs in general, not even Travis’, so what the hey, keep it simple. This should be expeditious for McNamara, since Michael seems to need to change his password each time he comments.
I was thinking of getting rid of RSS feeds to encourage people to come to my actual site because, heck, I put a lot time into it and would like the gratification. Admit it, you all want people to come to your sites too. I’m leaving them in for now, but we’ll see how it goes. I suppose if I took them away nobody would ever visit my site anyway.
One last thing: I’m including the same links to your sites as my old blog, so if there are any changes, additions or deletions — I can understand how association with me could harm a career – just let me know. I like to be accommodating, as long as it’s convenient.
