Read this like it was published on May 10.
Happy Birthday Rebecca!
Happy Birthday Rebecca
Category Archives: Portrait
Better than Work
I took Wednesday off to go down to Tom Harkin’s office with Jesse to meet with one of Tom Harkin’s assistants to discuss the situation in Uganda.
If you are not familiar with what is going on in Uganda, I would suggest you check out a video put together by a group called Invisible Children.
I posted it in a blog a long time ago:
Invisible Children Video
The meeting went well, but it was to be expected. Who is going to come out and support child soldiers?
On our way to the meeting, we walked by an advertisement. I don’t think that there is anything in the world that could have encapsulated what is wrong with our country more.
Ugly America
When the meeting started, Tom Harkin’s assistant presented us with a letter showing both his support for ending the civil war in Uganda and his (staff’s) ability to use Wikipedia.
To see the letter in full size, click the link below:
Tom Harkin Letter
Jesse in front of the Federal Building
After the meeting, we met up with Sara and hit both Ted’s Coney Island and Snookie’s.
It was truly a great impromptu lunch. Including when Sara called nursing homes: “Purgatory with crafts.”
Jesus Christ Pose
Last night was Good Friday. At the conclusion of our church service the congregation walks by a simulation of the crucifixion.
I’m not going to pretend that this is one of my favorite things that my church does, but I took a few pictures since Logan played Christ.
I guess you will have to pretend that Jeff was a roman centurion, that invented glasses.
Putting on garbage bags for the ride home.
I think they got a bit carried away with the fake blood. At least I know that Logan would be able to get a job on the special effects crew of the next Rob Zombie film if need be.
Prayer, Reflection, Horseradish & Jumpshot
Last night my church had a fairly unique service. A woman from Jews for Jesus came and gave a presentation on the traditional Jewish Passover feast.
She explained the meaning of each cup, prayer, tradition and food item. The presentation was interactive, so we sampled many of the foods. Most of them were not tasty, including dipping parsley in salt water. But the worst by far was the horseradish.
I only had a small amount of the horseradish, but it was more than enough. This is followed by something sweet. We had an apple to represent the sweet. I can tell you that this was by far the best apple I have ever had in my life.
It was very educational. I learned a ton.
After the service I headed over to the Gorshe home to shoot some hoops on their new basketball hoop.
Derrick’s Perfect Form.
I don’t know, I just like this picture.
I look forward to many a game of basketball on their new hoop and court.
Arizona Day 6
Day 6 in Arizona was more work. At the conclusion of the work day, we were bused out into the “middle of the desert” for a “western roundup” party.
If you could get away from the cheeseball band that was lip syncing and playing to backing tracks, it was a pretty good time.
This was a costume party and I had made a deal with Jesse that if he paid for a costume, I would wear it. Well as it turns out, the costume did not fit, unless I desired to become a eunuch.
I do not desire to be a eunuch. Fortunately, no pictures of me in this costume currently exist.
Jesse’s bull costume, did fit and it was a smashing success.
Jesse bull riding.
Jim
Eric
Frank
Jennifer
After the party, there was only a half day’s worth of work left.
Arizona Day 4
Jesse and I woke up in Coolidge, Arizona and made our way to a local diner for breakfast. This place was certainly McCain Country.
We sat at the breakfast counter and listened to a couple locals complain about the governor for “being nice” to Obama. They agreed that the governor was not going to be re-elected and what made her near criminal offense even more difficult to fathom – “And she’s even a Republican!”
As I sat down at the breakfast counter I noticed that staring back at us was an NRA poster. Next to the NRA poster was a poster of John Wayne in front of an American flag with the line:
“Tell me again, why the hell do I have to dial “1” for English.”
Although I wasn’t going to order a side dish of prejudice with a sprinkling of racism with my breakfast, I got it any way.
Next to the poster of John Wayne was a poster for a fundraiser that was related to Easter. The fundraiser was a raffle. The winner of the raffle won a Glock 9mm.
I guess that makes sense, if you recall John 23:
“Why do you look for the living among the dead? He is not here; he has risen! Remember how he told you, while he was still in Galilee: The Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, be crucified and on the third day be raised again, packing heat, perhaps a Glock 9mm.”
There was also some terrible artwork for sale in this joint.
I don’t know what is more confusing. The lighthouse, the clock or the reference to the comic stylings of Larry the Cable Guy.
Tag’s Cafe
Tag’s Cafe
Tag’s Cafe
The owners of this establishment did not like me taking pictures of their building.
It is probably for the best that this game has been lost to the ages. It would be just one more game that I would dominate.
Did you get a picture of a cactus?
Did you get a black and white picture of a cactus? Okay, nobody asked that question.
Cliche picture of a guy next to a tall cactus.
Hohokam ruins.
Jesse getting his learn on.
The Big House, not the one in Ann Arbor.
More mud ruins.
More ruins.
Jesse all tuckered out from a big day of looking at Hohokam ruins.
It should be noted that despite having a culture that runs contrary to my value system, Tag’s Cafe was easily the best meal I had my entire time in Arizona. Sorry Del Taco.
Arizona Day 3 – Part B
After we Del Taco, we returned to the park with the small mountain.
A hole in the roof of the mini-mountain.
Eric looking down on all that he rules after he ascended the peak of the mini-mountain.
More Eric.
The view from the mini-mountain.
Lowell and Jesse
Mini-mountain
Lowell, Eric and Jesse
Eric descending the mini-mountain.
Another view.
Eric on the mini-mountaintop.
The not so rugged group photo by a parking lot.
Look, we could be out in the middle of the wilderness!
Yet another view.
Air Force One
The tomb of some guy who was such a big jerk, he wouldn’t let anybody else be governor of Arizona.
That evening we dropped Eric and Lowell back off at the resort and made the arduous journey out to Coolidge, Arizona. McCain Country.
Arizona Day 3 – Part A
Some pictures from Day 3 in Arizona.
Peavy and Young
The guy that I hope wins the #5 Starter Spot
The new closer.
Some Mariner
Some Mariner
Spring Training Home of the Cubs
More Hohokam
Image from the Road
I’d never eaten at a Del Taco. I endorse it and its slogan of going “Bold or Going Home”.
Prior
This guy kicks us out of Hohokam.
Lowell and Jesse with their purchases.
A dead cactus.
Jesse and I spent the morning watching the Padres and Mariners practice. Then we picked up Lowell and Eric at the resort and went to the Cubs practice field. Plus we ate at a Del Taco. Then when went to the “mountain” that Jesse and I had visited on the previous day.
Arizona Day 2
More than a bit behind. Some pictures from Day 2 in Arizona.
The day mostly consisted of bumming around with Jesse’s family.
We saw a few random Cubs.
We had dinner with Colleen and Kirk.
Arizona Day 1
As I sit here in Josh and Summer’s house waiting for Jesse to wake up, I might as well post a few pictures from yesterday.
Jesse waiting for the flight to leave from Des Moines
Denver
Jesse in Denver
Me in Denver
Jesse on the people mover
Organ Stop Pizza
The organist
The Dancing Cats
There were a few good times to be had on Sunday. My head didn’t hurt nearly as bad as I feared it would after the two flights.
We had supper with Jesse’s family at Organ Stop Pizza. It is a pretty impressive place. They have built a giant organ their with a bunch other percussion instruments also controlled by the organ.
The organist played a lot of old standards and a medley from Phantom of the Opera. Not too bad at all.