Friday, September 28, 2012
Fun And Games
Good grief Charlie Brown, we have been busy. As such, bloggy blog has suffered my absence. Fear not, I have returned.
Right off the bat, I'd like to ask for prayers for my grandmother Elizabeth Swartz. She is in rehabilitation for a fall she suffered a few weeks ago. She is not doing so great. I would just say to pray for comfort. Thanks all.
As for Amy and I, well, we are recovering and preparing. Recovering from an unusually exhaustive week filled with long drives and early shows. We are preparing for a crazy week again. This time it will have more shows, but a little less driving. Currently we are laying about in our Ramada Inn watching "Karate Kid" (the one with Will Smith's son). Our plans for the the weekend are as follows:_____________________________. <--That means nothing :)
After a surprise show in Dearborn, MI, we were able to quickly see family, do some much needed laundry and grab some cider and donuts. I am seriously going to miss fall in Michigan. Bonfires, apple orchards (though I hear the orchard is a tragic story this year), Halloween Parties, caramel apples, cold football games, hot chocolate, beautiful strolls in the park and oh so much more. Oh how I hope those reading this make the most of your beautiful Michigan autumn. If nothing else, pick one of the above mentioned activities and do it for me.
With fall being my favorite time of year, I find myself longing for home. I knew we would get sick of being on the road and staying hotel rooms all the time. I knew we would eventually drool at the thought of a homemade meal. I knew we would get tired with the job (and sometimes with each other). But I really didn't think it would happen so soon. I'm sure needing sleep is contributing...but I feel like a bit of a wimp. Have you ever had to hype yourself up into doing something you don't want to do? Well, I had to do that today...to go get food. ME!! I LOVE FOOD! It was kind of pathetic.
This post isn't much. But its going to have to do. I need to ease back into things anyway. This magnificent brain produces masterpieces of blogging history. Art if you will. And art takes time.
Now, I know the "fun and games" failed to make an appearance in this blog. This is simply because its NOT all fun and games.
Thursday, September 13, 2012
Tuesday, September 11, 2012
Happy Dragon
"Slaying the dragon of delay is no sport for the short-winded."
-ancient chinese proverb (probably) that I received in my fortune cookie
My darling wife was willing to go to a chinese buffet with me! It was actually one of the best I've ever been to...especially for just 7.99. To anyone traveling through Lexington, Kentucky, I would highly recommend The Happy Dragon.
Just like all my choices at dinner this evening, I have too many things to tell you about. So, with journalistic flow and structure out the window, lets get started.
Today we had a great show. We set up a beautiful display, spoke with energy and confidence, tore it all down with efficiency and all with smiles on our faces. Then we left...wondering if anyone even heard a word we said. We found that Kentuckians can't understand us unless we imitate a deeeeep southern drawl. It was as if we were showing our program to a garden.
Yesterday, we went to Mammoth Cave National Park. Our tour through the caves was absolutely amazing and should not be missed if you ever have a spare moment in KY. God has made some truly awesome things for us to see. My advice: go see them.
Over the weekend, we stayed with some of Amy's family (Thank you Len and Kathy, SOOO MUCH) and had a great southern meal in Tennessee. The suburbs of Nashville are officially on my list of "acceptable places I would move to if offered a decent job in the area". Best weather we have run into so far, although, my favorite season is fall so it only gets better from here out.
Amy and I are still being nice to one another. In fact, I'm still crazy about her....but I guess you have to be a little crazy to do this at all. Our conflict is only with the desire to see the best of each new destination and the desire to close our eyes at 8pm. Experience vs. Exhaustion.
Our time spent in the van has its benefits as well. We talk about all sorts of things, like life, and love, and happiness and sometimes even houseplants. Audio books are great for the the drives longer than an hour (Thanks Mayb!) and for those that know The Ender-verse, we have just about finished both Enders Game and Enders Shadow. It gets me my media fix while living this closely with someone who doesn't really like movies.
I wish I had more time for this blog. We do have an unexpected day off on thursday due to a cancellation. So hopefully I will be able to make some much needed changes and additions. Hope you all have a wonderful night. This happy dragon is off to get some much needed sleep.
-ancient chinese proverb (probably) that I received in my fortune cookie
My darling wife was willing to go to a chinese buffet with me! It was actually one of the best I've ever been to...especially for just 7.99. To anyone traveling through Lexington, Kentucky, I would highly recommend The Happy Dragon.
Just like all my choices at dinner this evening, I have too many things to tell you about. So, with journalistic flow and structure out the window, lets get started.
Today we had a great show. We set up a beautiful display, spoke with energy and confidence, tore it all down with efficiency and all with smiles on our faces. Then we left...wondering if anyone even heard a word we said. We found that Kentuckians can't understand us unless we imitate a deeeeep southern drawl. It was as if we were showing our program to a garden.
Yesterday, we went to Mammoth Cave National Park. Our tour through the caves was absolutely amazing and should not be missed if you ever have a spare moment in KY. God has made some truly awesome things for us to see. My advice: go see them.
Over the weekend, we stayed with some of Amy's family (Thank you Len and Kathy, SOOO MUCH) and had a great southern meal in Tennessee. The suburbs of Nashville are officially on my list of "acceptable places I would move to if offered a decent job in the area". Best weather we have run into so far, although, my favorite season is fall so it only gets better from here out.
Amy and I are still being nice to one another. In fact, I'm still crazy about her....but I guess you have to be a little crazy to do this at all. Our conflict is only with the desire to see the best of each new destination and the desire to close our eyes at 8pm. Experience vs. Exhaustion.
Our time spent in the van has its benefits as well. We talk about all sorts of things, like life, and love, and happiness and sometimes even houseplants. Audio books are great for the the drives longer than an hour (Thanks Mayb!) and for those that know The Ender-verse, we have just about finished both Enders Game and Enders Shadow. It gets me my media fix while living this closely with someone who doesn't really like movies.
I wish I had more time for this blog. We do have an unexpected day off on thursday due to a cancellation. So hopefully I will be able to make some much needed changes and additions. Hope you all have a wonderful night. This happy dragon is off to get some much needed sleep.
Thursday, September 6, 2012
Ooo Fancy!
Farfield Inn, Ramada Inn...uh...Super8...Budget Inn. These are just a few of the great places we have stayed. Some have been really nice. Others have been a place to crash and keep going. Now Amy has pulled off something incredible. She has booked us The Four Points Sheraton...AND The Hyatt!! All within the budget (well, literally $1 over for The Hyatt). I know I'm biased, but I got the best coworker.
Sorry, for such a delay in posting. Things have been busy. We were able to stop in Michigan briefly over Labor Day, but it required a 12 hr drive to not waste any personal mileage. It was wonderful to see the people we saw and we wish we could have seen everyone. Maybe we should sell tickets to see us for our next visit :) Juskiddin.
The shows have been getting better and better. My public speaking is becoming easier and easier. Yesterday, in Lisbon OH, I was introduced to start the show. As the clapping started to subside, I said "Thank you, thank you...However, I bet that is the last applause I will get. Hi! My name is Jeremy and I am from Michigan" Silence....laughter...a couple boos and a couple cheers. When I first started this my intros were strictly business. Now, I am able to laugh at myself and engage the audience. By no means am I a pro, (2-3 minutes is not hard) but its fun to see growth so quickly.
Its also awesome to see signs of the impact we are making. At a recent show, Amy and I were starting to break down the equipment when a young wheelchair bound girl rolled up to us and wanted to say thank you. But as she shook our hands she pulled us in for hugs. It was simple and genuine. Amy and I left with smiles.
We would love to hear how all of you are doing. Maybe if you're reading this you could jot down a quick update on you yourself and/or family (or message me on FB if you're shy). Lastly, on a more serious note, my Grandma Betty is not doing so well. She had a fall and went to the hospital. Now she is at a rehabilitation center, but her body is weak. She is still a spitfire as far as her mind goes. But it would be great to have prayers for her ailing body.
Thanks for reading. Anyone have questions about anything?
Sorry, for such a delay in posting. Things have been busy. We were able to stop in Michigan briefly over Labor Day, but it required a 12 hr drive to not waste any personal mileage. It was wonderful to see the people we saw and we wish we could have seen everyone. Maybe we should sell tickets to see us for our next visit :) Juskiddin.
The shows have been getting better and better. My public speaking is becoming easier and easier. Yesterday, in Lisbon OH, I was introduced to start the show. As the clapping started to subside, I said "Thank you, thank you...However, I bet that is the last applause I will get. Hi! My name is Jeremy and I am from Michigan" Silence....laughter...a couple boos and a couple cheers. When I first started this my intros were strictly business. Now, I am able to laugh at myself and engage the audience. By no means am I a pro, (2-3 minutes is not hard) but its fun to see growth so quickly.
Its also awesome to see signs of the impact we are making. At a recent show, Amy and I were starting to break down the equipment when a young wheelchair bound girl rolled up to us and wanted to say thank you. But as she shook our hands she pulled us in for hugs. It was simple and genuine. Amy and I left with smiles.
We would love to hear how all of you are doing. Maybe if you're reading this you could jot down a quick update on you yourself and/or family (or message me on FB if you're shy). Lastly, on a more serious note, my Grandma Betty is not doing so well. She had a fall and went to the hospital. Now she is at a rehabilitation center, but her body is weak. She is still a spitfire as far as her mind goes. But it would be great to have prayers for her ailing body.
Thanks for reading. Anyone have questions about anything?
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