September 27: Where I live

September 26: Play-by-Play at Marietta McDonald's

I had good company tonight. Zack and Paul made the trip to Marietta with me (thank you!) where I spoke at their InterVarsity chapter. Andrew got back in time from his admissions counselor travels to come and be my teammate in a three-legged race. We lost, but that was appropriate as I was speaking about humility. Didn't that just work out nicely? (We still had AMAZING technique if I do say so myself) The most charming part of the evening was sitting on this curb eating soft-serve, all the while listening to a running commentary from a dark 3rd floor apartment building across the street. This person was getting a huge kick out of himself, staring through binoculars and yelling out things we were eating, doing, and hoping we'd do...like he was a film director or something. Then Dan showed up and being Dan began to try to figure out how to get this individual into conversation and share the gospel with him. With Dan, this scenario would have been totally possible!...but it was late and there was a long, foggy drive ahead of us, so we let that one be a hypothetical. Maybe next time.

September 25: My Friend Harry

Today Harry and I ate lunch at the Shack. It was really nice to talk about life, how much we both love college students, as well as unfortunate slip-ups in trying to speak other languages!

September 24: Who knew?

So, after I put up yesterday's picture I took this one....it was midnight-ish, so it is counting for today because I think it is pretty sweet. Apparently, two times a year on the autumnal and vernal equinox, the earth's tilt conditions are jussst right to allow an egg to balance on end. I did not believe this until Julie made me try it and it actually worked! This is "Mythbusters" for people without television, like myself.

As you may know, I have a bad attitude about the fall season. Let's just be honest. I am trying to work through it but you know, it's a process and I'll take whatever I can get to make it more appealing. This whole egg thing made the inauguration of fall a whole lot cooler.

September 23: Mustache Mischief

Ben steadies his hand to draw a magic-marker mustache on an unsuspecting victim.

September 22: On Parade!

I got invited into a parade at the Indians game and found myself tromping around the field. Here I am at homeplate! I sat in the bleachers about a half inch away from the left side of my face. They lost TERRIBLY....but any night at the park is always a fun time! (Guest Photographer: Cheryl Ann Hockett)

September 21: baby pine tree (with cookie)

I had a very nice lunch with Linda today (thank you!) and she showed me her pine tree that she grew from seed. Who knew? I liked it and have high hopes for it.

September 20: Umbrella (ella ella eh eh eh)

The view from the front. Yes, we had Oasis with umbrellas last night. Ask me.

September 19: Smile!

This is my dentist, Brett, from Utah. He is actually posing here, trying to look like the dentists you see in movies from time to time. We had a lot of time to kill at my appointment today waiting for various x-rays to arrive, as you can see here. A root canal is on the horizon, sadly...but to be expected after living in a town that still thinks flouride in the water is a communist plot to poison us all. Go figure!

September 18: m.g.'s library ladder

On these bookshelves are the books of one of the most uncynical, yet critically thinking professors you will ever meet. I think that is a very accurate assessment. Also, there is a copy of an extremely enthralling Independent Study project, and some plastic biblical action figures. That about sums it up.

September 17: tree outside my window

Not feeling very artistic or inspired today!

September 16: Tow Truck

Lindsay is okay, but the deer was not, nor was the poor little Honda. The tow-truck man was apparently very nice though. Amazingly, Lindsay's run-in happened right near a country house where a mechanic lived! And it happened right outside of Wooster, so she she had friends near by and a place to stay. Even in the hard times God is aligning the details.

September 15: Face-off

She really was happy, I'm serious! We were having a face-off at the dinner table...I think she won.

September 14: fascinatingly-ugly lamp

It lives in my office.

September 13: Julie

The most anticipated Birthday #21 I have ever experienced. Happy Birthday Julie!

September 12: Wayne County Porker

I love all the animals at the fair, but for some reason I always find myself back in the swine barn. They are so friendly and curious, as you can see here. This particular big guy looked so lonely, can't you see it in his eyes?

September 11: Popsicles

Today, my team and I gave away 1,000 Freezie Pops to students at the University of Akron! We were meeting students at the activities fair to invite them to our Bible studies. The lucky ones at the end even got multiple colors! It was funny to watch people choose their favorite colors -- people definitely have opinions about these things --even though they're all sugar-water with food coloring. I personally find the pink ones to be most appealing. I thought they all looked rather pretty together in the cooler.

September 10: Foofs

Those brightly colored poofy things are called Foofs. The students and I had a meeting on the Foofs today. Foofs make any meeting more exciting, let me tell you!

September 9: One Disgruntled Clown

So, there were all these darling flowers at the fair today. Mrs. Hampton and I spent a good amount of time enjoying them and taking pictures of them. Yet, this one won out! Why? The scary, web-footed clown grumbled, "I'm goin' on BREAK" (with emphasis) to no one in particular. It certainly wasn't me. And then he slammed the door to his camper. I'm not sure what ex-act-ly was going on, but it sure was fascinating. The flowers didn't offer as much of a story....maybe next time gladiolas.

(Actually, I must add this below because it is my favorite picture from all of 2007! I took it on this day and it is called, "For Emily")

September 8: You should call that one....

"Having a Ball in Cleveland, Ohio" said the amused, little man walking by. I was amused that he was so amused with himself! My mom was very excited that I matched the sidewalk art at Target, so we shamelessly did something about it! (by Mary Michaels)

September 7: Rainy Lakewood Football

September 6: This is my fish

His name is Sacapunta, which means pencil sharpener in Spanish. He is five years old. He was twelve cents plus tax.

September 5: Petey grows up

Petey now weighs 49 grams. Cheryl is helping him bulk up with all the turtle food and excercise she gives him.

Budget Sushi

I had a "Budget Sushi" party (sounds stomach turning doesn't it?) for my students. We each made some sort of food that resembled sushi for as cheap as possible. Mine was a swiss cake roll, wrapped in fruit-by-the-foot, with gummy bears stuck in the creamy part. It was exquisite! (August 2007)

stoop

St. Marks and Avenue A on the Lower East Side of NYC (July 2007)

garbanzo beans and tomato puree

I worked in this warehouse for a week on Long Island. It stores food for people on the streets. On the right you will find a variety beans, on the left tomato products, and dead ahead are various canned meats. Well, at least that is the way it was in July when we organized it....I don't have much hope that it remains that way. I bet some crates of canned artichokes and baby corn have crept in. Oh well! If nothing else this picture could be a cell phone commerical with the nicely positioned blue crates. (July 2007)

Sparklie Heart

Brenden and Becca Miller. I couldn't believe this actually worked! I love her expression (and the fact that her dress didn't catch on fire) (July 2007)

The Adams Family

A few days before Rob and Emily got married they let me capture their pre-wedding selves. I think this picture shows their spunky, competetive playfullness. (June 2007)

Flower Girl

I snapped this one of my cousin Beth who was waiting patiently for her turn to get her picture taken at my Aunt Annie's wedding. It was a beautiful day on Lake Erie (August 2006)

How many IV staffworkers does it take....?

Six IV staff try to nurse the '88 Skylark back to health at hour six of the twelve hour ride from The U.P. of Michigan to the Southern border of Ohio. It made it! (May 2006)

Snowball Fight

These little boys live in Herbetswil, Switzerland, where my family comes from. I couldn't speak German and they couldn't speak English so we resorted to a snowball fight. The little boy in red had just thrown one at me and was laughing hysterically when the little boy in blue got him back for me! (March 2006)

Flautist at the Pantheon

I met Mauriano from Macedonia in the piazza outside of the Pantheon in Rome. He was waiting for his turn to play his flute and make a little money for the night. That night was just as glowy as this picture suggests (March 2006)