sunday @ the plaza arts fest

We decided to enjoy the beautiful fall day by checking out the Plaza Arts Fest. Ray and I were reminded of our natural connection as we consistently liked the same artists and specific pieces. Titus was repeatedly drawn to the sculptures featuring faces. We all decided that buying a bath tub before splurging on a $350 12"x12" painting was probably the more responsible path.

Titus loved a fun little puppet show by a guy who has had a puppet theater in KC for more than 20 years. We liked it too and think we'll look into some season passes. They have some great shows coming up this year.

Finally, we enjoyed some great appetizers at M&S Grille thanks to a tip from one of my co-workers - $1.95 during happy hour. Very tasty tomato bruschetta, hot wings and mini-burgers with steak fries. We'll check it out again although being down on the Plaza reminds us that there is much good cuisine to sample around our fair city.

ten questions for titus

Q: If you could be any character from a fairy tale, who would you be?
A: Jim, from Jim and the Beanstalk because I don't know what a beanstalk looks like, and I want to know what a beanstalk looks like.

Q: Who is your best friend at school and why?
A: Christian and Nicholas because we like to play spies.

Q: What is your favorite thing you've studied in school and why?
A: Doing the letters because I need to learn the letters.

Q: What do you like best about living in Kansas City?
A: Science City.

Q: What do you miss most about Iowa City?
A: That I'm not close enough that I can see my cousins.

Q: Would you rather be a pirate or ninja? Why?
A: A ninja because I want to do karate.

Q: What are your best qualities?
A: I'm kind of smart, cooperative some times, kind and thoughtful.

Q: What is your favorite thing about Daddy?
A: Sometimes he helps me clean up my room.

Q: What is your favorite thing about Momma?
A: That she doesn't vacuum up my legos.

Q: What is your favorite sport?
A: Football, because you throw balls.

weekend edition

We're still in a stupor after Iowa's loss to the Cyclones. Painful. I think I'm in for a one-year long underlying bad mood. Why? Anybody but Iowa State!

Today we had lunch with a couple from church, Stephen & Steph. It was great. Steph is an editor for the Nazarene Publishing House. She says they are always looking for writers and encouraged me to submit some stuff. We'll see if I can get that going. Stephen and Ray connected too, although I have no idea what they talked about at lunch - there was something about computers and guitars in there. Anyway, we really had a great time with them and look forward to hanging out with them some more. They offered to help us out with our house and moving, so we're feeling blessed.

I have two more days of training, and then I switch over to my daytime schedule for the next 90 days. I'm looking forward to having dinner with Ray and Titus and generally having my evenings back. BUT I'm not looking forward to 4 am wake ups! I'm praying that I can get a better schedule in three months. Until then, I should become quite healthy, wealthy, and wise.

a college football thought

I'll admit it. I'm reveling in the combined 0-4 record of Meeeeeshigan and ND. I know a lot has been made of this historic event. I love it. Losers.

They both have this to be thankful for - since they play each other this week, one team is guaranteed to get their first win. They also both have this to fear - since they play each other this week, one team is guaranteed to lose. Who's going to be 0-3?

What I really wonder is if they weren't playing each other, could either of them win?

Of course, the beloved Hawkeyes aren't gaining ground in the strength of schedule department at ISU this week. This is their third game against a bottom 10 opponent this season. Anything less than total dominance will hurt us, I'm afraid.

We're meeting our friend Abby (and hopefully Aaron too) at The Other Place for the game this coming Saturday. I love September!

A couple more words

Here's a pic of Aaron doing his part for the Pioneers of Mid-America Nazarene University. He's taking a breather between standing up along the sidelines. (Lest you think we're being mean-spirited, Aaron walked on this year after several years of not playing football at all, and he's got a great attitude about it. We're genuinely proud of him. Not many people would have the guts to do that.)

What's the word?

Fight! Fight! Fight! We had a great night watching the Hawks at the second best place to watch an Iowa football game - The Other Place in downtown Overland Park. The local sports bar is home to the Greater KC Area I-Club on game days - servers in Iowa Hawkeye T-shirts, Iowa banners around the restaurant, I-O-W-A cheers and the "Fight Song" oh, and wall to wall Hawkeye fans. It is awesome. In fact, the bottomless Diet Cokes and great pizza might just make this place the best venue for an Iowa game...did I just say that?

Our buddy Aaron met up with us to watch the game. We had been at his football game earlier, watching MNU take on Benedictine. It was fun, but a bit too hot for all of us, especially Titus. We only lasted the first half. Aaron is going to have a JV game or two in which he'll actually get to play, so we'll try to get to one of those.

Ray surprised me this morning with some tickets to see Rob Bell in November. He's on a new tour called "The Gods Aren't Angry" - talking about how humans created religion to make themselves feel better. Should be thought provoking and interesting. I guess we're just trying to keep up with Iowa City who has hosted Brian McLaren this past week and will have Jim Wallis there next week. I'm so thankful to have these voices shaping the conversation of faith, politics, and philosophy. If you're not familiar with any of them, check out their links. Good stuff.

* Titus licking his hands to get the sting out after a tumble.