Day Fifty Four: Wednesday July 30, 2008

Day Fifty Four: Wednesday July 30, 2008
Heading Down to LA to Zoe's Junior Olympics

Set my alarm for 5. Then reset it twice. I'm not ready to start getting up at 5 a.m. yet. I took Zoe to Rio at at about 6:15 and we stopped at Starbucks and still got to Rio at 6:30 even though Zoe didn't need to be there until 6:45. On the way home I stopped at school but didn't go in because I didn't have my keys. Then I went and washed and vacuumed the car and filed it up with gas.
When I got home Robert called from the court house and as it turned out he didn't have to pay the fine. Apparently the paperwork hadn't caught up with the the check we sent when they sent the notice out.
We didn't rush and so we got a lot done before we left. I called Ron Adams about a loan for Kate for this first semester, La-Z-Boy about the furniture, and returned a call to Casey Noland. The big news was that all the furniture was in but the rug wouldn't be done for another two weeks-just in time for school.
We left at about 11:45 and got to LA at about 7:45. Quite a bit of start and stop traffic in LA. We stopped a couple of times and got gas near Magic Mountain. We were getting about 22 mpg.

We checked into our hote, the Best Western Orange County Airport North although it really isn'r all that close to the airport.

Then we went out and split a burger at a place nearby called Spoons.

We used to eat at one before we did the Irvine workshop years ago.

Day Fifty Three: Tuesday, August 29, 2008

Day Fifty Three: Tuesday, August 29, 2008
Tried to Take Robert to the Courthouse
Getting the New Garage Door
Hellboy 2 with Gary

Ran today; I guess I did run on Sunday. I was planning to take Robert to the county courthouse so he could pay his fine for not sending his $90 in on time for his seatbelt ticket, but he couldn't find his wallet so that was out. Apparently he waited until the last minute to send the fine in and they never got it and so he just got a $300 fine on top of the $99. When will he start to learn? I pray it all clicks in sometime.
The garage door guy came at about 1 and he was done by 2:30 or so. the opener works and Christine is very happy.
I went down to school and found out the Vera had broken her arm playing golf and was going to have surgery and would be out the rest of the week.

I met Gary at UA on Eureka for the 4:15 showing of Hellboy 2. Whoa was it dumb.

New York Times Mini Review–There are moments in “Hellboy 2: The Golden Army,” Guillermo del Toro’s profligate sequel to “Hellboy,” capable of delighting even the most jaded, comic-book-weary summer-blockbuster conscript. (That would be me.) There's nothing quite like the scene in which Ron Perlman’s Hellboy, a baby in one hand and an oversize gun in the other, mixes it up with a giant, angry plant. The story of "Hellboy 2" is a happy hodgepodge of bantering humor and portentous metaphysics, packing a remarkable range of moods and genre elements into a fairly compact 110 minutes. The love between Hellboy and the downcast, combustible Liz Sherman (Selma Blair) gives this film, like its precursor, an undercurrent of hard-boiled, noirish romanticism. There are also Tolkienish elves (as Mr. del Toro limbers up for “The Hobbit”), officious bureaucrats and a showstopping Barry Manilow song washed down with many cans of Tecate beer. The whole affair is pulpy, jokey, sometimes touching and frequently nonsensical: a big mess and, mostly, a lot of fun. — A. O. Scott, The New York Times

Gary and I then had dinner at Ruby Tuesdays, kind of a glorified Appleby's.
Since I got home, I have been packing and when Robert came home he hung out with us watching America's got talent.

Day Fifty Two: Monday, July 28, 2008

Day Fifty Two: Monday, July 28, 2008
The Dark Knight
Cleaning the Garage

We actually slept in until 9. So we didn't have all that much tme to get ready for the 10:50 showing of The Dark Knight. I decided to go with the flow and just get to the theatre at 10:30 and not worry about getting the perfect seat.
We got there about 10:30 but on the way there Christine and I got into a bit of a disagreement. What and when are we to do with Robert. To drug test or not to drug test and then what do we do with him while we are down in LA? I am totally not sure what to do and she feels much more certain.


New York Times mini review
'Dark as night and nearly as long, Christopher Nolan’s new Batman movie feels like a beginning and something of an end. Pitched at the divide between art and industry, poetry and entertainment, it goes darker and deeper than any Hollywood movie of its comic-book kind — including “Batman Begins,” Mr. Nolan’s 2005 pleasurably moody resurrection of the series — largely by embracing an ambivalence that at first glance might be mistaken for pessimism. But no work filled with such thrilling moments of pure cinema can be rightly branded pessimistic, even a postheroic superhero movie like “The Dark Knight.” Apparently, truth, justice and the American way don’t cut it anymore. That may not fully explain why the last Superman took a nose dive (“Superman Returns,” if not for long), but I think it helps get at why, like other recent ambiguous American heroes, both supermen and super-spies, the new Batman soared. Talent played a considerable part in Mr. Nolan’s Bat restoration, naturally, as did his seriousness of purpose. He brought a gravitas to the superhero that wiped away the camp and kitsch that had shrouded Batman in cobwebs. It helped that Christian Bale, a reluctant smiler whose sharply planed face looks as if it had been carved with a chisel, slid into Bruce Wayne’s insouciance as easily as he did Batman’s suit." — Manohla Dargis, The New York Times

The movie was all right. But none of us thought it was the best move of all time or anything. it really has to be the Heath Ledger factor. It seemed long and could easily have been cut into two movies.
After the movie we went to BoBo's with Gary and Peggy and then we cam home and worked on cleaning the garage. We actually did pretty well and I even made a trip to Goodwill. I also got both checks from CSPA with a nice note from Ed and the Davis check too. Great to be paid.
We started watching the Closer then had dinner and Robert came home and actually has been hanging out with us. Oops. It's 8:30 and he's leaving.

Day Fifty One: Sunday, July 27, 2008

Day Fifty One: Sunday, July 27, 2008
Jeffersons leave
Kate leaves

I woke up at 6:25, ran, and went out and bought breakfast stuff at Raleys. Anne got up and them Ben and they seemed to enjoy the bagels and cereal. I finally committed going to church so I could do the Ministry Minute with Bob Easter so kate and I left at 8:15 and I bought her a coffee at Starbucks.
Church went well. The Ministry Minute was fine and Wayne preached a great sermon on "Blessed are the pure in Heart." I rushed home and stopped at he grocery store to buy lunch stuff, but right when I got home, they were in the car getting ready to take off.
We said out goodbyes and off they went at about 11:15. It's interesting how these thing all work out but never quite take shape the way you imagine they will. I did read about fires near Yosemite so it will be interesting to see how all that affects them,
I hung out and cleaned the bedroom until mom and Kate got home. Then Robert came home after staying with Papa and we all had lunch together.
I drove Kate to the airport at 2:30 so she could make her 4:15 flight. Now Robert is gone, Mom is sleepng and Zoe is going to get movies.
Gary called and they came over for Christine's pappardelle at about 6. It was a great time chatting , relaxing and eating. It's such a blessing to have friends you can totally relax like that with

Day Fifty: Saturday, July 26, 2008

Day Fifty: Saturday, July 26, 2008
Yearbooks Northwest: Day Four and Out.
Back Home Again
Never Want to Go to Church Again
Jefferson's Arrive at 10:15

Up at 5:15. I'm leaving early. Cousin Anne and Family are coming in today. Mike got me a shuttle to Sea-Tac at 6:30 and he was thre to sent me off. What a genuinely nice man . I love coming her and working with him. He's the Gold Standard. Turns out I was the only one on the shuttle so I got to the airport before 7:30.

The Rotunda at University of Puget Sound where I taught for four days.
The morning was gorgeous and I got a great view of Mt. Ranier on the way down to Sea Tac. Mike had checked us in early so I actually had an A, and check in was a breeze. Once in i stood in line and got a Wendy's breakfast sandwich combo. Wow! I found my gate at Southwest and I actually have tapped into some free leakage. Doesn't get any better than that.
The flight was uneventful. got home at 11 and Christine picked up up soon after. Just kind of chilled all afternooon, fighing with Kate over who would watch tv in our room. At some point Kate brought Gordon back to the house anfter they had had lunch where he would stay until Robert took him home to stay with him.
Robert got off work at about 2 and then took off right after that to hang with his friends. He wanted to come back for dinner and Christine said she would make him chicken crescents. She did make them and he did come. All good except a brouhaha erupted over whether orr not Robert would take PaPa to Rebecca's church to hear the kids sing. Robert refused to do it stating he doesn't want to be forced to set foot in a church. Of course this disappointed Christine which caused Robert to go off on one of his usual tirades. No logic involved. Could he just do it to help out his mother, aunt and grandfather. I guess not.
Nothing was ever really resolved. Christine got mad at me and Robert finally left. Frankly he is illogical in most of his thinking so it makes no sense to expect him to be logical in any way. It you expect him to BE logical it will only frustrate you.

Day Forty Nine: Friday, July, 25, 2008

Day Forty Nine: Friday, July, 25, 2008
Yearbooks Northwest: Day 3

Didn't run. Actually didn't sleep that well either. At 8:45 we had the game thing. Could have been more tightly organized, but it was fun. Then Crystal and Susan did their "Story Overhaulin'" session. I especially love the part where Crystal takes them through the drafting and writing process with the "buns" story.

At 9 I taught the last session on captions and my new headline session. It barely filled an hour and a half but I stretched it until 11:45. The headline session is something, but it needs to be tightened up a bit. The activity needs more specific information and I loved the last part tying it to the profile they started. the problem is that they are tired and are not loving sitting in class. I did wind up having almost 40 after they returned from their artist appointments.
Lunch was jam packed with cheerleaders and then it ws back for the 4, 5, 6 group. I think they are more fun and I like them better. Lotta buck, lotta prizes. It all went pretty well. Done at 3. Cleaned the room and now susan and I are just chillin' until 7:30. We have no idea where Crystal is.
We sat in the cafeteria on the computers until time for the theme presentations. At 8 we were not ready to go as all the presentations had not been put on pdfs. We decided not to split the rooms, but it meant that we had to hear 20 theme presentations. We limited them to two minutes for the explanations and then only one of us commented. We got through all of them before ten. None were great but two were pretty good. I think we recognized six. Mount Si, Lake Stevens, Bainbridge, Mercer Island and a junior high.


The Big Three

Day Forty Eight: Thursday, July 24, 2008

Day Forty Eight: Thursday, July 24, 2008
UPS: Day 2

Woke up at 4ish and dozed from there. Construction at 5:30 doesn't help much. Love the sound of trucks backing up. Went for a quick run-about 10-12 minutes between a mile and two.

Today is the big day. Three two hour sessions plus "A Passion for Coverage" in the evening. Lord give me the strength. Make it all be meaningful and helpful to these students. And help Crystal have the strength to soldier on.

I did the second design session in the morning with the 4, 5, 6 group. It went fine, but it's amazing how little they listen and follow the steps you give them. We ended at 11 but didn't have to start up until 12:30. I decided to give my "Steps to Great Copy" a shot but spent the first half an hour doing a design gallery. I got them to the place where they wrote a angle, a lead and a quote after doing a brief interview. We ended a little before 2:30 and didn't start up until three. Both sessions had about 32-37. This was a great group who played along quite well and the the advisers seemed to enjoy what I was doing. I was quite satisfied with how it all went.

I got to dinner at 5, ate and waited for people to come. While we were talking I actually fell asleep at the table. At 6:30 I did "A Passion for Coverage" and it went pretty well. I gave bucks for anyone who copied down all 51 and a ton of them did. It really has been a great idea.
I watched a little bit of Matt's brother's Photography session, then i hooked up with Crystal and Susan and we drove to the same Starbuck's we went to last year and closed it up at 9 p.m.
Back at the dorm we all got together and brainstormed ways to improve the workshop. The most important thing seems to be to devote more time on the first day to theme so we can actually work with the schools

Day Forty Seven: Wednesday, June 23, 2008

Day Forty Seven: Wednesday, June 23, 2008
SeaTac to University of Puget Sound
Workshop 4 Gets Under Way: Day 1
The Bad News Arrives
Soldier On and Teach



Didn't sleep that well. The day-before-the-workshop angst has arrived. I must embrace it. Got up at six and went for a brief run. We head over at 7:30 and do a bunch of set up. I think the first session is at 1.

We left about 7:40. Matt, his brother, Crystal, Susan, and I stopped at a Tully's in that older landing area in Tacoma. The floor was shaking, but the coffee and coffee cake was good.

When we got the the University, the Rotunda room was filled with table and chairs, so we immediately got permission to rearrange with the front part set up in rows. It also came out that I have 60! in my intro class. We will see how that works. Six hours each with two groups of 60. Wow!

In the room I got hooked up to the internet and have been working with Zoe on her spreads. I am a little worried about it for some reason. Not sure this group will take care of me. I just hope all three of them get into the advanced class. I also had a good discussion with Courtney from the San Diego workshop and then Carol via email about Reno, so I am at least feeling better about all of that.

I got a call from Crystal and seems that she broke her glasses so we borrowed Matt's car and went to Target. When we got back, we had lunch managing to get food in competition with a whole bunch of football players.

As usual I am nervous and bummed out that I am here. I wonder why I always go through this. I always do and then it always works out fine. When will it be fine to quit doing these? Do I want to quit doing these? Or do I just need to do fewer?

Just emailing and chillin' until we start at 2. We'll see what happens.

I went down at 1:15 or so and no one was there. We didn't get started until after 2; Mike talked a little and then Crystal took over on the Yearbucks trivia game. It went fine but not smokin' or anything. More subdued than Howard and his sparkly blazer. Next was Susan with Colors. she added a few new things which I will steal. I started the Theme sesson at about 3:30 and went until nearly 4:15. We decided to dump the Crystal design session and let them work on their theme brainstorming.
I was working with Brad from Oregon looing at his 2008 spreads when Crystal got the call. The results of the PET scan were conclusive and the words "advanced alzheimers" were used. Obviously she was devistated. She finally knew what everyone had expected for over a year. What a terrible place to get such news. We prayed with her, she made a few phone calls and then we barely made it to dinner, ate, and then had to reach at 6:30. None of us wanted to teach, but we made it work somehow. I only had 40+ kids. Not the 60 Mike had indicated.
I got done right at 8:30, but as usual, no one really listened to the teacheing or the instructions and they they went rogue on me. Oh well. You can tell in about ten minutes who even has the possibility of having design talent.
After 8:30 Susan was talking ith Brad from Gresham, saying basically the same stuff I had said.
She did not finish going through his book until almost 10. We hooked up with Crystal and borrowed Matt's car, but the only exciting thing we found open was a pizza place but we went to 7Eleven instead. Once back in the room I helped Zoe with her layout but didn't get to bed until 12:30 or so. Crystal showed me the wikipedia article which seemed to say that Ski is in the fourth stage of alzheimers.

Day Forty Six: Tuesday, July 22, 2008

Day Forty Six: Tuesday, July 22, 2008
Christine's Birthday
Travelling to Sea-Tac
All-You-Can-Eat Prawns at Anthony's Home Port

Got up at 6 and eventually went to the store and bought the stuff Christine needed to make ableskivers. I also got some birthday stuff for her too. Flowers and a great card that even made me cry.





I am so upset that I am leaving so early today when I really do not have to. Will try to never make that mistake again. It's crazing to spend nearly a whole day away when I could fly in in the morning. But on the other hand they do not go to the campus until tomorrow and it would actually be difficult to pick anyone up.

My plan leaves at 1:15 and I get there at about 3:30. It's gonna be a fun evening!?

I had to go to school to pick up some yearbooks to take and discovered that Zoe needed to get into the yearbook room to retreive the files of Shelby and Lauren to sent in for the Experts class. it seems Zoe is totally a last minute person and then is upset when it causes stress on others.

We left for the airport at about 12:50 and I was through security by 12:35. it all went very quickly.

I have just been sitting here at the airport enjoying free leakage and talking with Whitney from Walsworth about our workshop in Reno in August. Boarded at 1:15, left at 1:45, arrived at SeaTac at 3:15. I got a coffee and puttered around a bit and Mike was waiting when I headed to baggage claim. I went down to get my bag and it was less that 15 minutes until Crystal arrived. We got her stuff and Mike drove us to the old Sleep Inn. the same place we stayed last year. I'll bet we were there by 4:30 or so and checked in and I have been enjoying free leakage ever since.
Susan got in a little late, so we left for dinner a little late, but we got there a bit after 8. The pace we ate was called Anthony's Home Port in Des Moines. (not sure if they pronounce it the same as the Iowa city. There were 12 of us and I had the all-you-can eat prawns. Good, but deep fried. The berry desserts were the best: cheesecake, shortcake and cobbler.

Day Forty Five: Monday, July 21, 2008

Day Forty Five: Monday, July 21, 2008
Leaving Donner
Into DC

I woke up and then went back to sleep until 8:15. Everyone also got up a bit later and we were on the toad by 9:30 and home between 11 and 12. I just chilled, but fter reading some emails I decided to go into school o talk with Vera. They had started to install the library computer tables, I needed to deal with the computers in the storage room in the ACC since the new Registrar was moving in there.
I got back home at about three and Rebecca was there with Gordon. They left and I just relax until 6 ish when we went to Il Forno to celebrate Christine's birtday since I was going to be gone tomorrow.

Day Forty Four: Sunday, July 20, 2008

Day Forty Four: Sunday, July 20, 2008
End of Family Camp
Donner in the Rain
Paul Robie Comes to Donner

Woke up at 6:15 and Zoe had brought in some photos on a thumb drive from Dustin so I integrated those in. So far I have over 175 slides.
There had to be over 50 people at the dock, an amazing group for the second morning.




The morning session went well although a bit of a repeat from what we had covered. We prayed as a group of elders and congregation for Billy and Tricia. And the slide show was well received.
We packed, had lunch and headed to Donner around 1 and I think even after stopping for groceries we were at the cabin by 2:30.

Gary and Peggy came and we just sat around and chilled. They brought wine and Kate and Ashleigh drank a bunch of Newcastle Brown Ale which actually made both of us a little uncomfortable. We have only had wine at few times at the cabin over the past several years and they just went for it without really understanding any of that history.

For dinner we barbequed tri-tip and had Caesar salad and corn. In mho it was not as good as I was not able to marinate it for as long as normal with my Chaka sauce.


Paul did arrive at about 7:30 or so and we had a great time talking about his ministry. Not sure when I actually saw him last. Was it out 30th reunion five years ago? Wow can't let it go that long.

Day Forty Three: Saturday, July 19, 2008

Day Forty Three: Saturday, July 19, 2008
Nailing Psalm 119
Afternoon Fun

Got up at 5:30 ish the work on my Psalm 119:1-8 memorization. I have had months to get 'er done, but for some reason it its only coming together now. Lord please help me do it well to your glory.

Blessed are those whose way is blameless, who walk in the law of the Lord.
Blessed are those who keep his testimonies, who seek him with their whole heart,
Who also do no wrong but walk in His ways.

You have commanded your precepts to be kept diligently.
Oh that my ways may be steadfast in keeping your statutes.
Then I shall not be put to shame keeping my eyes on all your commandments.
I will praise you with an upright heart when I learn your righteous rules.
I will keep your statutes; do not utterly forsake me.

I went out and ran the loop.

Gary led the 7 am study and did an amazing job reviewing what we had covered last night as well as getting every one involved.



Kate and Ashleigh at the morning Bible study

Breakfast started at 7:45 and the next session started at 9:15. We were supposed to recite Psalm 119 before the service, but it wound up being done afterward which really was a good thing. Praise the Lord my part actually went well.

After noon Gary and I went for a walk around the loop after we stopped at the beach. We stopped at the little store and sat in the rockers and after a while Marcy and Everett came by and we had a great chat with them. At four we went to see the missionary couple give their testimonies, but I was falling asleep so I came up and took a nap.



At 5:45 we had dinner and then the session started at 7:15. Desserts followed and then the talent show started a bit after 9. The acts were fine. Emily peterson played the violin and tim French did a great overview of the different types of comedy.

Day Forty Two: Friday, July 18, 2008

Day Forty Two: Friday, July 18, 2008
Kate and Ashleigh Arrive
Squeeze Inn
Family Camp

Got up and actually ran for the first time in a week. Christine and I sat around and talked and I went to school at about 8:30 to try and get the camp stuff worked out. What a mess!
It still seems that the best option will be to do it all outside the district approval process. Also what a mess the start aof school will certainly be. I feel like there is way too much of the making it up as we go feel on many fronts.
Next Zoe and I drove and met Kate, Ashleigh and Christine at Squeeze Inn and that was a great time. We all got to sit at the counter. Christine thinks there is a slight smell of garbage out back.

They all went to see Batman Again after we left the Squeeze. Christine and I stopped at Rebecca's to get the checkbook for the business and then went to the district office where I spoke with Sarah Grondin and it became totally clear that I need to do it all off the district radar. We also went to the credit union where I deposited my $715 GYE check.
Once home we waited for them to return and we finally left for Tahoe at about 2:30. We stopped at Auburn for Starbucks at ehn at Incline for sandwiches and we got to Zephyr at about 6:45.


Judy Shoffner and Jenna Woodruff

Meeting started at 7:30 and our speaker was Dr. Everette Piper, the President of Oklahoma Wesleyan University. He and his wife Marcy ad been living in Michigan but were called to OWU in 2002.


Kat and Abbie Griswold.

Day Forty One: Thursday, July 17, 2008

Day Forty One: Thursday, July 17, 2008
One Last Bike Ride
End of GYE 08
Gettysburg–Baltimore–Salt Lake City–Sacramento

We got up a little before six and met with some other reps and advisers who wanted to ride with us. Ray, Aaron, Dave and the woman rep.


We headed into town and up the hill to the Lutheran Seminary and then down Seminary Avenue to the Lee Memorial and the starting point of Pickett's Charge. We wanted to ride the bikes along the route of Pickett's Charge, but because they had gone down the center last time, they wanted to ride along the fence line this time. This was a bit of a mistake as the riding got pretty rough. But we finally did make it to the road. And then it was pretty easy riding up to the Angle.


Sunrise at the Robert E. Lee Memorial


At the start of Pickett's charge at the Robert E. Lee Memorial.


Sunrise at Pickett's Charge.




Climbing up the Angle


Back toward Pickett's Charge


Super biker surveys the scene.


Oh if I could just lose 20 pounds.

Our last stop was the house where Jenny Wade was shot and then we headed back to the college.



I think we were back by 7:15 or so.

We had an hour of class from 8:30 to 9:30 which went very well. They did all the evaluations but there was no doubt that we had all bonded. It's amazing to me how it all does come together in the end even if I think it won't in the beginning.


GYE Editorial Leadership 2008



At 9:30 we went back and checked out and the awards start at 10:30. I gave just three awards and I wish I had figured out a way to give more. Also here you can more easily be creative than just giving "Outstanding Editorial Leadership." We had lunch and then left for the airport at 1. The "hour" trip actually took 75 minutes, Mickey, Carol, Brenda, Carrie and Landon and i all had a great time talking on the way. I love making and deepening friendships.
We checked in and Carol and Landon were on Delta so we hung out together. I got through security with a 4" pair of scissiors. The guy found them but let me keep them. My plane left at 5:15 and we got into Salt Lake early and that plane left at 9:15. I was home but almost exactly 1o. Interesting now all the food that Delta sells on the plane. I bought some Pringles for $3.
All in all a pretty great day. Pennsylvania, Maryland, Utah, California

Day Forty: Wednesday, July 16, 2008

Day Forty: Wednesday, July 16, 2008
Biking the Battlefield 3
GYE: Day 4
Battlefield Tour with Ray
Talent Show
Lincoln Diner

Woke up a bit before six. Dave and I headed out on another battlefield tour by bike. We went up through town and then over to Culp's Hill. There we climbed the third of the three observation towers. The big battle here took place on the evening of the second day.




Civil War home with bullet holes.




From Culp's Hill Observation Tower



From there we went down to Spangler's Spring, our original destination. It was the very end of the barb on the "fish hook." From there we went out to the main road and up and over past the new visitor's center. Next we worked our way past the Pennsylvania monument over near Little Round Top and down through Devil's Den where we met Ray and another guy on bikes to. Next we went over through the Wheatfield and down to the Peach Orchard. I also wanted to see the barn with the shell hole it it called the Trostle farm so we rode there. WE headed back down along cemetery ridge and then back through town to the college.






Spangler's Spring






Above Devil's Den






Barn with the shell hole.


Jim at the Trostle Farm



We were back by 7:30 or so and I puttered around a bit and made it to breakfast right at 8:30. I wasn't going to but I did go by the Photography session but left anf got to my classroom by nine.


In the 9:45 session we did some brainstorming with them about their first week plans and then I took them through the copy stuff, paired them up and we wrote angles and leads for the rest of the time. They were all exhausted from working all night on theme packets so I really didn't push it.


The Westfield girls.


The Potomac Falls Girls.


Lake Braddock. Theme: Impact


Kendall and Katie from Chantilly.


Sara from


Megan from Oakton


Taylor and Jenna.


Partner interview Mishaal and Stephanie.


Katie and Taylor


Robyn and Robin

In the afternoon hour I divided them into groups of four to look at the editor scenario lists. They were to discuss among each other, take notes, and then share with the bigger group. It actually worked out quite well.




After class we had the theme presentations (3:30-5:30) in the lounge and we had 14 we had to judge. We switched and judged the groups that another group had helped and vice versa. We were done in less than an hour and a half and the other group that judged the books we had helped were still going when we got into the CUB. I think they had ten. After the judging we had a special dinner in the specialty dining area and then we met the battlefield tour bus at 6.


The bus tour begins with Dave and Lynne


Stop 1: Near the Peace Memorial; Discussion of Day One of the Battle-July 1, 1863
Ray the tour guide. We had him when I was here in 2006


Stop 2: Ray looking toward Cemetary Ridge from the North Carolina Memorial


North Carolina Memorial on Seminary Ridge.


We left the North Carolina memorial, drove around the Lee Memorial near the site of Pickett's Charge and then headed over to Little Round Top. On the way we passed the Peach Orchard, the Wheatfield, went in toward Devil's Den and then up to Little Round Top for our third stop. We walked up to the observation area and there was something going on with a camera production company and to the best of our knowledge we saw Henry Louis Gates, a renown African, American Studies professor at Harvard, who was filming a PBS show on finding Abraham Lincoln which would air in February. It was pretty cool. We watched them film him and he spoke to the crowd and interacted with the people who were watching.

Stop 3: Little Round Top



Harvard Professor Henry Louis Gates at Little Round Top




Statue of Gouverneur K. Warren–the man who held Little Round Top after Sickles left it vulnerable.











We got back in the bus and drove down the shaft of the fish hook, from the finger nail to the knuckle and then past the High Water Mark of the Confederacy, the Angle and the Copse of Trees that was the final destination of Pickett's Charge. From there we drove back to the college past the cemetery and down town Gettysburg. We were back around 8 or so. I went back to dump my card so I could shoot a video of MK's kids at the talent show. Kendall from my class did a skit from Mad TV, "Can I Have Yopur Number?" that was hilarious. One of Gary's kids did a sng that was also amazing. They said the talent show wasn't going to be that good, but it was a lot better than last year's.
After the talent show we went to the Lincoln Diner for ice cream, but I had a patty melt.
I must have stayed up talking with Mitch after he got back with part of the drinking group. The other group, the lkids, didn't get back until 3;30. So glad I missed that one.