Well sorry folks I have not posted in a while. I’ve not been feeling well, my back is killing me.

I do have a lot to talk about though. An update on orientation and mobility should be coming soon. A post about my new camera bags from ThinkTank Photo, and a post about my shiny new very kick ass 17-inch MacBook Pro laptop. – Yes folks thats right, I dropped the wad, and got the MacBook Pro!

But I have so many things going on right now. As you see from my last post, with dad being sick, I’m just not feeling myself. I also need to get things ready for the 2009 Little League season to start shooting again… AND… this weekend is the Liberty Bell Judo Classic, a huge event for my guys. – Weigh ins are tomorrow night. (Matt says pizza in his room, after weigh ins).

So yes, I have a lot to say, but no time to write it. But hang in there ya’ll.

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• Orientation and Mobility: SEPTA Regional Rail – Part 2
• Ladies and gentleman I give you the presidents speech…
• Ladies and gentleman I give you the president…
• Your disabled, you understand…
• He’s baaaaack!

When I had made my original post about amazing people I know, you will note I had mentioned my dad being in the hospital. Well most of you may not know, unless you really dig my archive to when I first started this blog, what may be wrong, and why he was in the hospital.

My dad is an amazing person, at least for the times I can remember we did things together. He was an iron worker, and worked for several years at Keystone Foundry, located actually right behind my house. (Not any more.) He set molds and poured cast-iron to make all things imaginable. I still have many of his cast-iron eagles, dogs and cats around the house.

He worked with cars doing bodywork, painting, and repair running a garage out back. Along with other members of the family, cars and racing where a weekly thing. I never picked up this love of auto-mechanics, welding and bodywork, or really auto racing for that matter.

He’s an outdoorsman. Always hunting or fishing. – This past hunting season he bagged an 8-point buck, the sucker was 175lbs dressed! – Dad did take me fishing, and I can recall the time I actually managed to catch more fish then him; he was a bit irritated, it seemed before he could get his own line set, I was yelling “Got another one…“, and sure enough I did.

Dad even taught me how to shoot. With a 30-30, and a 3 to 9 scope, I was not too bad a shot, considering at the time I didn’t even wear glasses. Kind of, like how I do my photography now, with magnification, I can see fairly well.

Even amazing people have their flaws.

Mom and dad got divorced when I was about 9 or so, and though he took me hunting and fishing, he was not always there. He was not always there for different events like band concerts, school awards or one of my first judo matches. He didn’t pay for my trumpet, didn’t buy my judo uniforms, or help pay for my classes. But I still love him, he’s my dad.

Now how ever, he’s fighting a battle even I can’t help him win.

On October 31st, 2008, my dad was diagnosed with Stage 4 terminal lung cancer. – To be continued…

This post was inspired by Ellen, from “To The Max“, and her birth story of little Max.

Possibly Related Posts:

• Orientation and Mobility: SEPTA Regional Rail – Part 2
• Ladies and gentleman I give you the presidents speech…
• Ladies and gentleman I give you the president…
• Your disabled, you understand…
• He’s baaaaack!

Well only fitting I post about amazing people I know, and then receive this months “Companion“, newsletter from Canine Companions for Independence. Who do I spy? Why it’s Cole, and Tom Kenny aka “SpongeBob SquarePants” with Cole as director for the new Hearing Dog Public Service Announcement for CCI.

From Canine Companions e-News:

“CCI graduate Cole, featured in our Skilled Companion Public Service Announcement, had the great opportunity of directing Tom during a recording session! CCI wishes to extend a special thank you to Tom Kenny and everyone at DG Entertainment for all their support.“

Great job Mr. Director Cole!

Canine Companions for Independence, CCI, provides highly-trained assistance dogs for children and adults with disabilities, FREE OF CHARGE. Visit http://www.cci.org or call 1-800-572-BARK, for more information, to donate, or apply for your own dog! CCI is one of the oldest service dog companies in the USA!

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