A perfect night to... bask in the rays of a TV?

So I just got back home from taking the dogs for a walk with my daughter. It is arguably the most perfect temperature outside right now. We've had a few decent evenings this summer, but this one gets my vote. Little-to-no breeze, 70 degrees, comfortable in terms of humidity... perfecto.

The sun was already down when we headed out, so by the time we headed back it was nearly dark. Walking through the 'hood, it was dark enough that the large screen TV (like the size of a wall) of this one house lit up the living room and half of the front yard. Then I noticed another. Then another. I realized that our house was about the only house "in the dark." About.

And then I realized that there was, like, nobody outside. Everyone was in their living rooms, squinting at their moving walls, getting a TV tan. For six or seven blocks–nobody but me, my daughter, two dogs and the crickets.

How sad. August is almost out of wick. The number of perfect evenings are few, and then its about a four or five month wait.

So, for tonight anyway, I'm glad I don't have a TV that could double as a billboard.

It is official - summer is over

While we'll have our 90's, we'll have our humidity, we'll have our thunderstorms for the next month or even two, the summer time is officially over. 

Tomorrow morning the kids head off to school for the '07 - '08 school year.  The kids are saying their farewell's tonight to late nights and lazy mornings.  We're trading in our "what would you like to do tonight's  for "did you get everything done?'s.  The cushy life is on hold for now.

This 2007 summer has been good in most ways.  I personally feel like it has been long, which is a good thing.  Winter is fine, as long as there is snow on the ground, but I prefer hanging out with summer.  Like not a little.  Like, a lot.

Busyness is here.  Let the games begin.

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Those days

100_1501.JPG,
originally uploaded by lyndonperry.

This photo is date stamped August of 2003. Four years ago. Those four years aren't as big a deal for me, but for Shea and Shanna, it is a third of their life. The physical difference in them from the date of this shot to today is dramatic.

One trait I love about these kids is the fact that being pulled around in a little trailer on the back of a lawn mower tractor is good entertainment in their book. To an extent that is still true today, though they'd rather be on the tractor, driving. But even at 10 and 11 they would get a kick out of this same ride.

Shanna's "cute" has begun its metamorphisis into "beautiful." She probably wouldn't want dirt smudged on her face now, or at least not want a photo taken while in that condition.

Shea's "cute" is becoming "handsome" and "rawk starish." He'd have the same smile, but you may not see his eyes now with his shaggy do. You certainly wouldn't see his forehead. And the length of his body, which has practically doubled since this shot, wouldn't fit comfortably in that position any longer.

I love those days, but I love who they are now, too. You can't have both, so I'm glad we at least have the ability to capture the "those days" with photographs.

Here I am, and its your fault

So, with me and my "A" posted, I have my "A"ssociate Degree. Nicola was being sneaky on Wednesday of this week and sent out a load of emails to friends and family to let them know, and to nudge them to congratulate me. She did a very good job. Throughout the day I was receiving text messages and emails from people who I am quite sure I hadn't informed yet, so I knew something was up.

Although only about 3 people actually read this, I'll post this as if to reach everyone that sent some form of congratulations to me. I have to admit that while I did take the effort to sign up and attend classes and do the work to get the grades, I had the help of many people. There have been countless times in the past few years where I have had to turn down activities with friends and family to study. It paid off, of course.

So though I've been given the pat on the back from many of you, I'd like to say, "hats off to you." Its true that I did make it to this important milestone. I know I got here because of many of you. Be sure to stay 'til the end of my biographical film to see your name in the credits. As with this blog, that film is going to be huge!

Especially to my family, Nicola and Shea and Shanna, thank you, thank you, thank you. You have all pitched in and sacrificed to gimme the juice to cross the finish line.

Becoming a Devil: Orientation tomorrow

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originally uploaded by lyndonperry.

So tomorrow I am going to orientation at Eureka College, home of the Red Devils. I start this August on a 22-month track to finish up my bachelor degree. I've known of Eureka College for a long time, but I didn't really know much. When I discovered the particular program I'm going through, Organizational Leadership, I started digging in to become familiar with the school.

I find it amusing that the school mascot is a Red Devil, especially with the fact of how the school was founded:

Eureka College, a liberal arts and science institution, affiliated with the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), exists to cultivate excellence in learning, service, and leadership. The College fosters...

Fun stuff. It isn't a Christian college, yet still affiliated.

"Where shall we send our little Annie to school, Ralph?"

"That's a no brainer, Ethel. Let's send her off to Eureka to be a devil."

I've been called a devil before. Now I'll have a hoody and a senior ring with a logo to prove it.

Ian and Wyndon

Ian and Wyndon,
originally uploaded by lyndonperry.

My boy (well, really my nephew) Ian wikes his uncle Wyndon. Turns out I think he's kind of a big deal. The camera likes him, too.