Found in Fishers

The final countdown

Twenty-nine years ago I drove from IU down to Huntsville, Alabama to pick up my buddy, Doug, and together we traveled to the Kennedy Space Center. I had passes to photograph the launch of STS-3. The Shuttle program was in its infancy and our 3-day roadtrip turned into a full week. We managed to get burned to the crisp sitting for the better part of two long days in the hot Florida sun on the press mound just 3 miles from Pad 39A...the closest anyone could get to the launch site.

I managed to make some fairly good pictures. But more than the pictures I will always remember how it felt when those solid rocket boosters ignited and the Shuttle stretched skyward. It was like someone was standing behind me with invisible hands on my shoulders shaking the living daylights out of me. It's an experience I'm thankful for this morning as I watch the launch of STS-135 -- the grand finale of the Shuttle program -- streaming on my smartphone.

Who knows if I'll be alive when the U.S. rolls out its next manned spaceflight program. While it will be a neat experience seeing a Shuttle up close in a museum, I would much prefer to see them rocketing off a launch pad in Florida. Watching the streaming NASA feed I'm reminded of the family trips to see my aunt and uncle in Florida as a kid...my dad pulling to the shoulder of Florida A1A...me climbing on top of the old Plymouth to gawk & point like thousands of others as an Apollo launch rocketed overhead enroute to the Moon. Exciting stuff...then and now.

I'm glad I got to experience a Shuttle launch firsthand. More than a million people are in the vicinity of the Kennedy Space Center for this morning's spectacle. I'm also happy I made that trip with my high school buddy Doug; two years ago he died unexpectedly.

I'll miss the Shuttle program; I think the country will too. Sure, we'll have a few billion more to help pay down the national debt or fund another handout program, but the Shuttle made much better TV viewing than the recently concluded trial of you-know-who. But maybe that's the crux of the problem: Given the dumbing down of America and our penchant for "reality" TV, perhaps the Shuttle program and the brave men and women who risked all to advance science and human knowledge simply weren't pedestrian enough for the average Joe.

Godspeed Atlantis! --Juan

 

Goodbye & Hello

Salaam. Do-da-da-go'-hv. Adios. Auf Widersehen. Ciao. Sayonara. Sat siri akal.

However you say it, we've closed the book not just on 2009, but on the decade. And like so many others the Found in Fishers clan spent time reflecting on the year that was, as well as making a few resolutions for the new year. How about you; what are your resolutions and goals for 2010?

I recently started reading A Million Miles in a Thousand Years and am giving a great deal of thought to how I might better organize my life around stories, rather than goals. While goals will always be important, putting them within the context of a larger story helps place them within an overarching plot. I think this is valuable because too often goals by themselves can be somewhat abstract, which makes them difficult to achieve. Here's an example of mine for 2010:

Rather than simply note that I want to get in shape this year, I've written down that I want to get in shape so that I can walk 5 miles without getting winded. Hell, right now walking 5 blocks without needing a break would be major accomplishment! Another: I am going to learn to speak Spanish so that I can communicate independently with people I meet, which will allow me to pick up a long-ago started photography project in Mexico. Get the idea?

So how about it? Those dreams you have won't grow their own legs. Get out and their and kick start the new year!

It's that time of year

The Christmas cards finally hit the mail stream, sans one of those photocopied holiday letters that gained popularity a couple decades ago. If you were on our list, you've already seen the photo at left. If this is the first time you're seeing said photo then you better clean up your act and send a gift our way so that you can get on our list for next year!

Rather than help slay another tree for paper, we decided to go green this season and post our missive for all the world to read...or at least that oh so tiny corner of the globe that occasionally peruses our blog (along with a few anonymous, nosy-type folks who like to whine because they don't have a life). So grab a cup of eggnog, cozy up to the fire and lend us your ear...

2009 seems like a blur. That, or it was remarkably less-than-stellar for the Found in Fishers gang. The kids aren't kids any more. They're both in college. Liz is preparing for her major in social work while Mark is studying Info Technology (isn't everybody these days?). They're both learning that those hoops they had to jump through in high school only get more numerous and smaller as you go through life. Mark has yet to find gainful employment, opting to sponge off the parental unit as long as he can. Liz, on the other hand, works two jobs...the second one she started just a couple weeks ago. She's been at Tijuana Flats for more than 3 years. Her new gig is at the Bridgewater Sports Cafe in neighboring Noblesville. Had to get her liquor license and all; she's a big girl now. Hardworking, too.

Flora -- also known as Flo, Flo Flo, Flora-dora, The Flowster, and Mom -- continues to ride shotgun over 12 elementary schools and the elementary curriculum program in our school district. She also cooks, cleans, shops, referees the occasional spat on the home front, and generally keeps the house up and running. Did we mention that she's pretty darn wonderful, too? Flora also enjoys gardening and got the chance to grow her green thumb when we finished off the existing flower beds with custom contoured and colored concrete edging (looks much nicer than it sounds), and then proceeded to wrap them all the around the side and back of the house. Must say that she did one heck of a nice job, too.

And me? I continue to nurture my photography business. Took more than 150,000 images in 2009; that's a lot of digital film! My right index finger still hurts from the grind at the BOA Grand Nationals here in Indy. Four days of non-stop marching band photography. 2009 included the annual trip to Mexico's San Quintin Valley where I've been doing volunteer work the past 20 -- yes, that's right -- 20 years. Owning one's own business means there aren't as many trips like this as there were in past years, but I plan to return sometime in late June 2010. I'd also like to travel to Guatemala and do some photography for an Indiana-based non-profit called Hearts In Motion sometime in the coming year. Oh...I also hit the big five-oh in '09.

A lot more happened in 2009. You can read about it by working your way backwards through our blog. In the meantime, have a happy holiday (for those of you who are more PC than me) or a very merry Christmas! Put a fork in it, 2009 is done...and we're outta here.

Magic Music Days...or, the wheels on the bus go round & round

What has 24 wheels, 2 door, 78 teenagers and 9 adults? Two motorcoaches headed back to Fishers, IN with a very tired bunch of marching band members. Just after noon on the Tuesday of Thanksgiving week I climbed aboard bus #2 for a 20-hour overnight ride to Disney World in Orlando for the Royal Command & Guard's 2009 Disney Performance Tour. I was going to photograph the trip and help as a chaperone. As I write this post our buses are about two hours outside Nashville, TN on the trip back home.

It was a great trip, though I really missed being with Flora and the kids for Thanksgiving. did 4 parks in 4 days: Disney Hollywood Studios, Animal Kingdom, the Magic Kingdom and Epcot. On Friday night, the RCG led the SpectroMagic nighttime parade through the Magic Kingdom. After going "backstage" to assemble, dress and warm up, the band stepped off from the park entrance on Main Street and headed toward Cinderella's Castle, then made the turn through Frontierland. The whole thing lasted maybe 15 minutes for them, but it will be 15 minutes they'll long remember. According to our Disney escorts 60,000 people were on hand to see and hear the RCG. The kids were really excited and more than a few had a bit of a struggle staying in "marching mode". And why not? Flashes were going off by the thousands as they became part of the photographic & video memories for visitors from all over the world.

Thanksgiving night was also neat: The group enjoyed a private dinner at the Coronado Springs Resort. A Disney DJ kept the kids hopping on the dance floor, while Mickey & Minnie made an appearance for about 90 minutes to be photographed with everyone. They also posed for a group photo, dance to YMCA and Thriller, and added quite of bit of the famous Disney "magic" to the night. Say what you will about Disney -- especially those rather significant Disney prices for everything from park tickets to sodas -- but they are incredibly successful in getting everyone -- adults included -- to suspend reality and be a kid again.

I'll be glad to be home; we arrive at 4:30 this afternoon. With both Mark & Liz graduated and out of the band program it was nice to be able to accompany the band and share in the some of the fun. While I didn't get to ride much in the parks I'll be back in June with the family, Flora's sister's family and parents for our 25th anniversary and my brother-in-law's 40th birthday. Make mine an Epcot ticket.

Oh...lest I forget: Say what you will about teenagers, but these young people represented themselves, the RCG, their school and community with real class. Zero problems, lots of compliments about the group from park visitors & other hotel guests, and no one was ever late getting to our meeting locations!

My Special Person

Friday was "Special Person Day" at St. Anne's School in Lansing. I was that person for my nephew Liam. I arrived the night before hoping to surprise him but we had to tell him earlier because he was making a card in school. Additionally, he knew my folks were on a camping trip and were not going to go and we wanted him to know that someone was attending.

I got to experience student drop-off. Pat warned me it would be ugly. I went early enough that I was able to get in and out quickly. After dropping Liam off at school I decided to go back to his house for an hour and wait for the classroom visit with a cup of coffee on a comfy chair rather than the in the school library. I did get back early enough to buy Liam a book at the book fair. He is really in to Legos and StarWars. They had a DK book about Legos StarWars. They only had the preview copy so I bought the book and heard it was delivered today.

I arrived in Liam's classroom to visit him and meet his teacher. He was very excited. It was really neat to see him in the classroom with such enthusiasm. He showed me his desk. He was very proud of it and it was actually clean, unlike his room. The class had a small program for the guests. They recited some nursery rhymes and sang some songs. Liam and a couple of his classmates read a poem to the group. He presented me with a card and then showed me around his classroom. He also introduced me to his teacher. He proclaimed to her how I traveled 3 hours to get there and that I was the boss of principals. Interesting, wonder what she was thinking. Very nice lady. She does have her hands full with 30 students, mostly boys!

 After the class visit we went to mass together. During the sermon the priest was asking the kids about the book of Genesis. Liam had his hand raised high for the answer and was called on. He got the answer right. I did whisper the answer in his ear but he was so excited to raise his hand in front of a packed church. Following the mass, we went to lunch at McDonalds before I drove home.

It was an awesome day. I really enjoyed seeing Liam in school. It was worth the drive. Also made me a bit sad that I live far from him but I know I will be seeing him again soon.

October already?

The last time I checked, it was August. What the heck! I can't believe how fast the weather has changed and how quickly it has already started to get darker and darker each day. Boy, do I hate shorter daylight. Had a great dinner last night with my friend Debbie. She stayed the night in order to go to a conference in Indy. We caught up on the old Highland neighborhood news and tried to solve the world's problems. It is also nice to have someone to share teenager "war stories" with.

Over the weekend, I went with some band friends to Centerville, Ohio. We watched the Royal Command and Guard perform in the Bands of America competition. It was pretty clear -- at least to me -- how the politics of BOA affects the "regulars" and the bands that are not. It was still fun; we did some tailgating and lots of laughs.

Sunday called for a major Jammy Day. I just love Jammy Days. I was productive doing some deep napping...er, cleaning...of the bathrooms and the kitchen floor. I got the  laundry done including sheets and towels. But I also got to lay around on the couch watching my Sunday fav "Moving Up" on TLC, as well as catch a movie. I think it was around 3 before I got in the shower and got out of my PJs. These kinds of days are just the best! Makes going back to long work hours during the week worth it.

It's time to find a new hobby

I'm serious. I need a hobby. I just have not found the one I want. For those of you who know me well, I love to be busy. Not just a little busy but mega busy. I'm having a hard time adjusting to not being involved in what my kids are doing. Darn it, it kept me busy for almost 20 years!

With both kids out of high school I am struggling with things to keep my mind busy at night. My garden does not have a single weed in it but my closets are still a mess and I actually do have quite a few pictures to scrapbook. But I need something else. Something that is challenging.

After getting my doctorate I honestly was planning to go on to law school. I thought about it frequently while I was finishing up my dissertation. I have taken a couple classes since then to renew my license. I guess I just like to go to school. Then as the years passed I grew concerned that I am not committed to the tremendous amount of studying that I would need to do.

I thought about different kinds of classes I might take and now am looking into cooking classes. I think I will start out with some classes at a local gourmet shop to be sure that is what I would like to do. The cooking class I want is several Saturdays in a row. That is not going to work until late October for me. I am actually thinking about a retirement kind of job that I could take some classes for and start as a hobby. Sarah and I talk about owning a bed and breakfast.

So what am I doing now? Goofy stuff! I started to train my dogs to walk on the treadmill. In Mark's words, "How ridiculous you look walking a dog on a treadmill when you can be outside with them!" Okay, I know. Bbut sometimes it's just a pain to walk Sally outside when she barks at anything that moves. What can I say, I'm goofy.

Let them eat cake!

It seems hard to believe that the unofficial end of summer is already here. When Labor Day weekend arrives I feel like it's time to say goodbye to summer. I decided to go up north and spend some time with my family. We needed a reason to have cake!

Mom and Dad celebrate a birthday pretty close to each other. Dad at the end of August; Mom in early September. It just seemed natural to celebrate while I was up in da Region for the weekend. And it gave Sarah and I the perfect excuse for ordering another Calumet Bakery cake. Sarah has been talking about this Tres Leche Cake so she ordered it for their birthday celebration. Besides, the cost is not as painful when two people pitch in.

The cake was gorgeous: Whipped cream icing with glazed strawberries. Inside were two layers of tres leche cake with strawberry mousse. It was incredible! I don't know how they were able to make a two-layered cake with milk drizzled in, but who am I to challenge their technique when the cake tastes so delicious and looks perfect.

By the time the weekend was over I had consumed way too much sugar. We didn't do a whole lot either. I think I spent more time on the couch dozing off all weekend than anything else. I got plenty of sleep. During the night I had some wild dreams. Must have been the sugar. Now I need to start thinking of another reason to order a cake.  I'm not sure Sarah really needs an excuse.

This place is for the birds

Our little feathered-friend who's taken up residence on our front door wreath must be close to motherhood. Up until a few days ago she would take off the minute the door opened. But not anymore. We come and go for the newspaper and mail and she sits tight, just giving us the evil eye as if to say, "Who do you think you are?". Don't mind us, we only own the house. Given momma's lack of interest in flying the coop I figure her eggs are ready to pop any day now. So it only seems appropriate that we name her...and we need your help.

Give us your suggestions for naming momma bird and our the winner -- chosen by our select panel of judges -- will receive a very special, one-of-a-kind Found In Fishers keepsake. Be creative and let's get those names rollin' in!

Operation Pointersauras: Happy Birthday Mark!

Today is the big day. It's Mark's 18th birthday and we want to make it a memorable one. Thursday night while thinking about what Mark might want for his birthday, Juan came up with a great idea.

He and Mark have watched numerous Food Network shows like Man vs. Food, Top Ten Places to Pig Out and more. John went on the website to see if one of the top 10 pig out places was close enough to travel to in a weekend and on a whim.

Sure enough, Pointers Pizza in a suburb of St. Louis. We're are on it. The Pointersauras is the world's largest deliverable pizza. Ten pounds of fun! 28 inches! Originally we thought it might be fun to actually enter the contest but we couldn't get there in time. The contest is only at 3:00 and you must register 24 hours prior to eating. If two people can eat 10 pounds of pizza in 1 hour they get $500. Only 16 teams have one so far however since Mark has a concert band competition this morning and won't be back until after noon, we cannot make it to see if anyone is competing but we will definitely go and order the big one!

 It was a long day but well worth it. Twelve hoursti  St. Louis and back in the same day to get the pizza, eat it, and make a quick stop at the Gateway Arch. It was all worth it when we got in the car and Mark said, "Well, I can cross that one off my bucket list." A birthday to remember.