iPad, I haz one

I got an iPad. When I first saw them introduced, I was intrigued but didn't think I would be getting one anytime soon. It was a luxury I could not afford. Then I started helping Bonnie out with her photo processing. She offered money or a computer or a camera. The computer and camera I hoped to get could be "justified" expenditures. But an iPad...

When Apple allowed pre-ordering on the iPad, I ordered mine on the first day. And I tried to forget about for the next few weeks. That wasn't easy since it was all over the web. But soon the final week was here.

I watched all week as people began to report the tracking of UPS deliveries of their iPads. I got my notice but there wasn't much progress. Hell, there was no progress untill April 2 when it finally left China. I was beginning to think it wouldn't be here on Saturday.

Next update showed the iPad arriving in Clearwater on Saturday morning. An hour later it had arrived in Tampa. By 11:00 am, I figured it would not be here and resolved to waiting until Monday. The hardest part would be reading all the reports of happy iPad owners and what it could do.

After 2pm, I hear a vehicle outside and looked up. Could that be UPS? Yes!

I love that it came charged but I still needed to sync up the apps and my settings. Perhaps I should have had it set up according to my iPhone. I didn't think about it at the time. I set it up a new device. Synching was slow. Bit eventually got it set up the way I want it for now. Ryan was eager to play with it. But Andy got in our way and I was able to play with it for about an hour before Ryan came back. He took it over for an hour before I demanded it back.

So far, it's pretty darn cool. I wish more of my iPhone apps were optimized for the bigger screen. I was disappointed that Reeder is not universal but Google Reader for mobile I'd OK on the iPad. As is Tumbler. I do not like the mobile version of GoodReads and prefer their iPhone app.

I do like USA Today and NPR for the iPad. Instapaper is another app that works better on the iPad.

I prefer typing on the iPhone. I guess it's good to be all thumbs in that case.

I don't like that I cannot charge using my iMac. And that I should not use the iPad charger to charge my iPhone. Huh? No reason has been given. Will it damage the iPhone?

I learned later that it requires twice the amperage than the iPhone. And charging hasn't been a problem. I can get through the weekdays with a single charge. Sometimes I need to plug it in on a Saturday or Sunday. Playing games takes more energy than reading.

I really like reading on the iPad. So far I prefer the Kindle for iPad app over iBooks. I love that Kindle with sync effortlessly with my iPhone so I always know where I left off. Amazon has more books available as well. I am looking forward to Barnes & Noble eReader to be optimized for the iPad. Though it would be really nice it one app could read all these different formats the way iTunes can with music.

So far, Ryan really enjoys Labyrinth and Cash Cow. and enjoys the Toys Story books as well as the Dr. Seuss books.

I find myself consuming more info from the web and my blog is suffering because of it. Oh well, I never claimed to be a writer.

[photowalk] old hyde park village

Another Friday photowalk.



The weather was perfect, sunny but not too hot yet.





Old Hyde Park Village use to be a busy, active place. When we moved down 10 years ago, I used to like to come down and shop. That is until summer. Then I opted for the air conditioned malls.





Before this latest recession, Hyde Park was struggling. Jacobson's was the anchor store but they closed in 2002. Pottery Barns Kids is still a big draw but Restoration Hardware, Talbots and Gap have left the area.









Ten am on Good Friday and the place was nearly deserted. Most of the people to going to and coming from Lifestyle Fitness.

Park of the group went towards the park. Sherry and I walked around the shops. We walked into a place that sold creatively hand made soaps. Sherry asked before we started shooting away. I pulled out my flash and was glad I did. Other my shots would have been blurry at best.







There really aren't many shops still open. I walked down towards the park. I was happy to shoot the homes and buildings with their bungalow style details.









I always feel odd shooting at playgrounds when I don't have my kids. I try to get shots without other kids in so I don't worry about posting their picture. Sometimes I take a cute shot of a kid knowing I won't post them.







The park had a cool gazebo where the "roof" is made out of keys. Interesting architecture. My shots did not come out that well. Well, they are OK, but you can't really see what is going on with the keys.







Doyle went looking for the alley that isn't really an alley. We eventually found it. It is interesting how the houses are facing each other across a narrow pedestrian alley.













We ended up back at the shopping center and had lunch at Nature's Table. By then the fountain was turned on and we returned to take some shots. Lots more photos to process. Only about 3 weeks behind.

[photowalk] sacred heart catholic church

Savi came with me to downtown. I parked in the same lot & Doyle was there. We walked over to the church and saw some of the group. Then we saw the white hearse. There was a funeral going on and we would have to wait.



While we waited, the gray skies began to clear up. Bill was told he could take any photos of the old courthouse nor could ge take any photos while on their property. Yes, I had to take some shots to see if anyone would yell at me.



I'm sure it looked curious to see a group of photographers standing across the street from a church where there is a funeral taking place. We must have looked like papparazzi.



The hearse left, but the people remained in front of the church and on the steps. The group started getting antsy and I (had to) called my contact. It wasn't in and the receptionist didn't know who else I could speak to. Finally someone checked inside and seeing it was empty, we went in through the side door.



We quickly set up and started shooting. We had an hour and twenty photographers trying to get many shots as we could. It was almost impossible to get a shot without another photographer in the way. Jeff arranged it so everyone had a chance to shoot up the middle with no one in the way. I was glad Jeff was there as I really don't like to be in charge.



Several of us went to lunch. They picked the Jerk Chicken place. They had some blocks of mac & cheese which were edible. The guys look like they enjoyed their chicken and pork.



We walked through the Tampa Downtown Market. It was busy but not too crowded. Doyle, Savi and I "listen" and took photos of the guy reading from his bible. Doyle wanted Savi to sit in front of the guy and looked up as if she were in awe. She wouldn't. Spoil sport.











I still have loads more photos to process. Someday...

[photowalk] channelside

My apologies for neglecting the blog. The plague has been going through the house. Bits of lung are all over the place.




I'd only been to Channelside once. The boys and I walked around last summer after we went to the Aquarium. I knew I wanted to go back and take photos, I just never got around to it.





I scheduled the Friday Morning Photowalk to Channelside. Doyle was gone on spring break so I would have to lead the group alone.





Six people had signed up to go. Sherry was having car problems and backed out. Except for Norm, I hadn't met the other people.





I was worried I that I might be late since I was having computer/iPhone issues before I left. I made it with about 5 minutes to spare. Then I waited, and waited. At 10:15 Latina and her son E showed up. We started to walk into the courtyard and Latina spied Maya who she had seen at an earlier meet-up.





We walked around the courtyard and took quite a few shots. Then we had lunch at the Greek restaurant. I hadn't had pastiscio in years. It was very good though pricey.





Latina's son E was so cute. He is two years old and so well behaved. When we were leaving, he picked up some rocks. Latina had said "only 2" but E had too that to mean "as many as fit in my two hands." Then he gave one rock to his mom and one to me.





There wasn't as much to shoot as I thought. We couldn't get near the water as it was gated off. The Coast Guard boat Alligator was docked and allowed tours. Later a fire boat pulled up and docked.

community based instruction

Andy's class has CBI trips every month. They are meant to help the students function in the community. They go to stores out to eat. The idea is to give them more independence.



Their CBI trips were scheduled on the days I went to the chiropractor. But since I had to go two weeks in a row to get rid of the vertigo, I could now go on one of the trips.

Last Thursday was scheduled for Super Target and Arby's. I asked Andy if he wanted me to go. He hesitated but then I said I wouldn't go on the bus so he could sit next to Miss Karem. He agreed to let me go but didn't seem enthusiastic about it. Perhaps he likes his independence.

It was fun to see all the kids and how they interact with each other. Autism really is a wide spectrum.

As I write this, I realize I took over for Andy and purchased his items and food. I need to let him do some on his own.

Some of the kids opted for Pizza Hut Express at Target. Although Andy brought his own lunch, he wanted to go to Arby's. We walked over and Andy found a spot to sit in the raised seating area.



Arby's no longer has regular fries. I knew Andy would eat the hash browns or the curly fries so I didn't get any. I was feeling bad and ordered the the southwest mini egg rolls and cheese sticks. Andy looked at my food and then at me wondering where his was. I had asked him but he said no to chicken. I asked again and he said yes. I went back and ordered popcorn chicken.



I got one piece of chicken, it tastes good with the chili lime ranch sauce they give you with the mini egg rolls. Andy ate the rest. So now we know he likes Arby's Popcorn Chicken.

photowalk friday

Doyle and I had been talking about doing some weekday photowalks. Because we both have kids in school, evening and weekend walks didn't always work out. We tried to start out weekly Friday meet-up last week but Doyle got a paying gig and we didn't have that much time to plan so we started last week.





We had 6 people RSVP including Doyle and I. Only 1 person didn't show and she was sick. Two of the photographers were new to me. I liked having a small number as crowds intimidate me. I think it's best that Doyle and I are co-hosting these. I can handle the planning and posting and he can handle talking to people.





I had never been to the Tampa Friday Market. I thought I had missed it all these years but found that this is only their second year. It's still small but the vendors all have great stuff.





I am not sure what it is by my photos are mostly awesome. Well, they are crisp and clear and in focus without a bunch of noise. My camera just doesn't like to shoot low-light. Today, in the bright sun, my camera was in heaven.





After a couple hours of playing with my computer and photos, it was time to leave again. This time for a nighttime photowalk at Clearwater Beach. And this one was all about learning to use your flash. See, I got the flash at the end of December but hadn't even mounted it to the camera yet. I needed a reason to actually purchase the rechargeable batteries and learn to use the camera.





The walk was scheduled at 6 pm which I thought was good because it meant I could see Ryan get home before I left. But this meant I would be driving through rush hour. About 15 into the drive, I realized that I had forgotten my tripod. I didn't want to be late so I didn't turn back. I decided that using the flash I wouldn't need a tripod.





Traffic was awful. The hour drive took me an hour and a half. Along the way I realized how stupid this whole trip was. Ryan wants me home by bedtime which is 8:30. I need to leave by 7:15 to get home in time. All that driving for an hour of shooting? Either I will skip the evening photowalks or have a talk with Ryan.





I did arrive about 15 minutes late. But with most photowalks, they get started late so I didn't miss much. I did some shooting with my flash. It wasn't great. My camera does not allow me to use the flash wireless except in manual mode. I have yet to get a flash sync cable ($50) or a bracket so I was stuck with it on the camera. But I learned to play with the settings a bit. And really, I needed that push.





The sunset was nice and I wished I had my tripod. I tried using the pier railing for stabilize the camera but I couldn't aim it the way I wanted to. Maybe I need to get a bean bag to leave in the car, just in case.





It was cold! The temperature was about 50 but the wind was strong. My hands were freezing! The only gloves I had are too bulk to use with a camera.





I hadn't been to Clearwater beach in about 8 years. I am not much of a beach person, the sand, the wind, the salt water is all too much. But I would like to go back and shoot more. I asked Sherry is she would like to go for a Friday photowalk but she just stared at me. She would prefer to stay in Hillsborough since she does stuff with the other photo group. So I may try to go for another Friday evening photowalk. But I will go early and do some of my own shooting. So if I have to leave early, it won't feel so short.





I have uploaded a lot of my photos from the morning photowalk to the gallery at meet-up. I still have more to process. I only had 10 decent shots from the evening photowalk. And only a few I even processed. Still needs lots of practice with my flash.

new computer

My computer woes became too much. The last straw was the missing airport card. The computer decided that the card was no longer installed. Without my airport card, I have no wi-fi. Without wi-fi I cannot print, I cannot sync Things nor 1Password nor SplashShopper or Budget.

I ordered a new computer. I would have loved to have gotten a 27" iMac but I was too wary of some the problems they have been experiencing. Besides, the 21.5" iMac fits better in the space I have.

Once I received notification of shipping, the airport card started working again in my 17" iMac. Too little too late. I am still having weird random issues. I hope a fresh erase and install will get it working enough for Andy.

And because of the issues, I decided on not migrating the contents of the hard drive to the new computer. At this point, I don't know if I have a hardware or software problem. And there are some programs which may not be compatible with Snow Leopard.

My last two computers were purchased under duress. My previous computer had died and I needed something ASAP. I migrated what I could hoping to be up and running as quickly as possible. This time I have the time to take it slow and get things right. So I hope.

I started out making a fresh back up, just in case. Then I decided to make back ups or archives of the programs I use often like Address Book, 1Password, Budget and BusyCal. I put those on a thumb drive to transfer them.



Setting up the iMac was easy as always. The Magic Mouse is fun! I inserted the thumb drive and transferred over my backups. Then I started downloading my apps. One of the first apps I downloaded was Evernote. Then I synced it with their online database. Now I had (almost) all of my software receipts and serial numbers so I could download the rest. Address Book and Budget opened up fine. 1Password did not. Well, the app is fine but it would not accept the archive from the previous version. Oh joy. OK, I should be able to sync from my iPhone. Let's just hook up my external hard drive where I keep my iTunes library. But, um, Frick! This iMac has FireWire 800 and my EHD is FireWire 400. I need an adapter. I feel like this is 1995 and I forgot to buy the printer cable.

I can get the adapter tomorrow. So I go to download and install more programs. Next up is BusyCal. Installs fine but does not import the fire or perhaps the file did not export correctly. Either way, my calendar is empty. Again, I could sync with my iPhone but...

Those of you who are mac savvy are probably wondering why I don't use MobileMe. Well, I do this have a subscription but stopped using it when I got my iPhone. It just was too wonky. I find it better to sync through iTunes. Though I did use it to sync my bookmarks for Safari. Unfortunately, they didn't all come through.

So I didn't get very far in setting up my new computer. I did order the adapter and a FireWire hub from amazon to be overnighted. Yes, I could drive down to the apple store but their prices are higher and there is a chance they wouldn't have what I need. Why doesn't apple have a mobile version of their site?

I have some other issues that makes me slap my forehead. One is that Quickbooks 2007 will not work with Snow Leopard. It's not worth it to upgrade to Quickbooks 2010. It's $200 and I just need to close out LinneCards. There is also a question of compatibility with Office 2004. I am not sure if I should upgrade to Office 2008 or switch to iWork. I don't really need to worry about compatibility to other computers. I don't do complicated spreadsheets nor do I use macros. iWork is cheaper than Office 2008.

---

What a difference a few hours of sleep makes. (Not sleeping well, probably because I have not been exercising.) After breakfast, I set up the 17" iMac next to the new one. How puny and dull the screen is! I exported and backed up BusyCal, 1Password and Things, transferred them via iDisk. This time everything worked. Yay!

I decided to install Photoshop. I knew I would have a problem with my serial number. I upgraded from CS2 to CS3. I went from a suite to a stand alone product which really isn't allowed. But they don't tell you that when you buy it. So each time I install CS3, I have to call Adobe to have them bypass the registration code. Pain in the bum!

I went to the chiropractor because I started feeling dizzy again. I didn't want to wait another week for my adjustment. I feel better now.

I got home to find one box from amazon. Amazing that they can make any money by shipping everything separately. It was the adapter which is more important than the hub. I could finally connect my external hard drive and check out Ligjtroom and iTunes.

I had a hiccup installing Lightroom. I needed the serial number for Lightroom 1 since Lightroom 2 was an upgrade. But Adobe didn't have my serial number listed. Another call to Adobe. This time it took 20 minutes on hold before I spoke to a human. The guy was not as friendly or helpful. Luckily I found the serial number myself and got it working while I was put on hold. The Lightroom catalog is still messed up. I will have to start cleaning it up.

I did use Photoshop and Topaz Labs Adjust 4. Photoshop loaded wicked fast (compared to my old iMac) and Topaz Adjust 4 has a cool new interface.

I ran into more problems with Lightroom's export plugins. I had to reinstall them which wasn't a problem. But I needed to reregister them again. The one's from Jeffrey Friedl would not accept the previous code so I ended up paying for them again. Grrrr...

I didn't get much of a chance to play on Friday. I had 2 photowalks scheduled.

Suddenly, I am very tired.

special olympics... again

Years ago, Andy was invited to participate in the Pasco County Special Olympics. I let him go. He came home and got very sick. He had a high fever and was lethargic. I think it was sun poisoning.

The Pasco County Special Olympics is held at the end of February at one of the high schools. It's all day affair with lots of different events. Mostly the kids are outside in the sun all day waiting for their events. At that event, 3 years ago, the kids were not wearing their hats. They were not given enough to drink.

After that, I kept Andy home when the rest of the kids went to Special Olympics. He had the same teacher and I just didn't trust her lack of good judgement.



The events were to take place from 11:30 until 4:30. I did not go to any before and did not know what to expect.



This year, Andy has a new teacher and a new school. And this year, the Special Olympics would be local. Apparently, the event has gotten so big that they needed to split up the event into 2 days. So our school only had to walk next door rather than ride the bus for up to an hour one way.


(Another school left their canopy to participate in the events. We borrowed the area and danced. OK, only Andy and two peers danced.)

I had a photography meet-up that morning so I went there first. Then I stopped at Chick Fil A for lunch. I had packed only juice boxes in Andy's lunch. I made the mistake of going the shorter route through Zephyrhills. Zephyrhills is full of old people in no particular hurry to go anyway. If the speed limit is 50, expect them to go about 35.



I got to the school before noon. The parking lot was full so I got to park on the grass. I walked to the football field only to be met with a sea of blue. Almost everyone was wearing their blue special olympics shirts. Where is my son?



I called his teacher but she didn't answer. The noise level was high and she didn't hear the phone. I wandered about looking for Andy's group. I was approached by a woman who asked if I was Andy's mom. I learned that this was Miss C one of the paras in Andy's class. Ah... there is Andy!



Andy was happy to attack his chicken nuggets. He had already gone through 2 juice boxes while waiting for me to arrive.


(I tried to keep Andy occupied and let him use my iPhone to play Jeopardy. He liked the echo at the restrooms.)

Most of the schools has those portable canopies. I asked why our school did not have one especially since the high school had one. "We were not allowed to buy one." I wish I had known. They are not expensive and could be easily donated. I also which I had know to bring chairs. I guess I thought we would be sitting in the bleachers. Very few people sat in the bleachers.



Only a few parents came. We weren't given much notice so it might have been tough to get the time off. G's mom was there and she does not like the heat. It wasn't hot but beautiful Florida weather, sunny and 70. G's mom went home and got a couple of chairs and an umbrella. When her son wasn't sitting in one of the chairs, I claimed it.



Andy & G were scheduled for the same events. I had asked Andy was he was going to do and he said walk. But this was not true. Andy was going to ride a bike. His events were the 500m and 1k. They were scheduled to take place at 1:40pm and 2:20pm.

But this is Special Olympics where "organized chaos" is the rule of the day. They called our group several times though never said where were should go. We waited on the football field in the sun. The running events were taking longer and they had to finish and clear the track before the bikes could start.



The kids were bored. D had gotten a bike and was riding around the field. I thought I'd help Andy pick out a bike so he could ride too. Miss C did not know Andy could ride a two wheeled bike. During P.E., he asked for the three wheeled bike. I suspect it is more of a novelty.



Finally, Andy had to give up the bike so someone else could ride. The races were starting! Andy's first event did not get started until 3:00pm. He did OK. He is not competitive so he just rode at a leasurely pace. At home, he will try to "race" with the mail carrier's jeep or the UPS truck. But mostly he is just out to have fun.



We then had to wait for the next event. Lots of waiting about. By then, many of the other schools were leaving. I wonder if our events were delayed because we didn't have to take a bus back to our school. The bike Andy had ridden belonged to another school and was taken away. Andy had to wait for a bike to ride. He would have preferred to ride a three wheeled bike but I said no. Had I known that I could have brought his own bike, I would have done so.



We were done by 4:00pm. Andy was glad to leave. He said he wanted to go to Chick Fil A for more food. I obliged him bit he didn't eat much, maybe half of the fries.

Andy was sunburnt. I didn't think he would need sunblock. Because we spent so much time ready and waiting for the bikes, Andy wore his bike helmet which does not shield enough of his face. He did allow me to put some aloe on his face and his neck. And he did eat some chicken nuggets made at home.

[whine] hate being sick

I am not one to get sick often. I have had my share of colds & coughs but that has been rare in the past 5 years. Getting regular chiropractic adjustments helps boost your immune system. There have been times when I could feel something coming on, then I would go to the chiropractor and feel fine within a day.

Sometimes, you are just going to get sick. Though having a strong immune system can temper the illness or shorten the duration.

After dinner Monday night, I was feeling a bit icky. I figured it was the 2 pieces of chocolate oatmeal cake I had for dessert. After midnight, I woke up with bad stomach cramps. After 20 minutes or so, I knew I was going to be sick. As much as I hate throwing up, I knew I would feel better. And I did. For a few more hours until I was woken up by the awful stomach cramps followed by...

Six o'clock came way too early. These are times I wish I was married or that the boys could take care of themselves. I got up and made their lunches and toasted a couple of bagels. Then I got sick a third time and went back to bed.

I finally heard my dad get up and told his I was sick. He didn't ask what was wrong, just said "Oh." I asked him to see the boys on the bus. He shut my door quietly but that didn't make a difference. My room is off the kitchen and the doors are not solid. Apparently the only way tomclose a cabinet is to let the door bang and bounce.

Once the boys left, I got some sleep. But then I woke up with a backache. I moved to the chair and there I remained sipping water.

Almost a week later, there was still some nausea. Mostly when I eat too much or consume milk. Thankfully it wasn't contagious and neither the boys nor my dad caught it.

special olympics basketball

Two weeks ago I got a call from Andy's teacher. Andy had qualified for state in Individual Skills for Basketball. I didn't even know he knew how to play.



The original plan was to have the kids not playing on Friday go to Lettuce Lake Park. But this weird winter brought cold and rain. They spent the afternoon at the mall. Andy found a pair of white sunglasses at Claires. Luckily his teacher did not let him buy them. Especially since they were $20!


There was a bit of lack of communication as to where they were going to stay but did finally get worked out. I had decided to have Andy stay in my room. I thought we would both be more comfortable. As it turns out, it was probably for the best. There were 3 boys assigned to a room with a chaperone. The chaperones are not allowed to sleep in the same bed as a student. So the three boys would share the 2 double beds and the chaperone would get a cot. By having Andy stay with me, Mr Jim didn't have to get a cot. Miss Jessica was not so fortunate. The hotel had run out of cots and provided her with a blow up pool mattress. Yes, the kind you float on in the pool.



The hotel itself was a bit sad. It was an older Holiday Inn turned in a Clarion Hotel. They refurbished the rooms but the place smelled old and stale. The room I had was in the back facing the parking area. I could hear every person that walked by. Every rolling suitcases rolled on the balcony above sounded like a low flying jet. The room had new furniture but old wiring. There were four outlets in the room. One was by the sink, one was behind the dresser and had an adapter to house the TV, a lamp, the mini fridge and the microwave. A third outlet was behind the bed and held two lamps and the alarm clock. The fourth outlet was in the corner by the less-than-easy chair. It was in the opposite corner from the desk. It was the only place to plug in the laptop.



The hotel had wireless. Weak wireless but at least it worked on the laptop. The connection was to slow for the iPhone but the 3G worked well enough. Andy was happy to surf on YouTube for Jeopardy videos.



I knew Andy would not like the planned dinner. It would be crowded and noisy and no choice of meal. Andy opted for Chick Fil A. But first we had to stop at Target to get some juice. Andy picked out a new hat and looked at some of the new Toy Story 3 toys. He wants a new Buzz for his birthday.



We went to the Chick Fil A that we normally don't go to. It is the newer one and has more room. I let Andy play in the kids area because he usually doesn't cause a problem. He knocked over someone's drink and she complained. She said he was too big but said she didn't know she couldn't bring in drinks. Right. Andy stayed out after that and there was no problem.



It must have been a busy day, Andy was in bed by 8:45, asleep & snoring by 9:15. Unfortunately, the teens which were part of a Leadership Conference were up past midnight, running around and laughing. I had not slept with Andy in a few years. He now snores. And he is a bed hog. I had to put the sheet under my hip to keep him from stealing it. But every time he rolled over, it pulled and woke me up. At 4 am, the person next door started the shower and woke us up. Andy sat straight up in bed. He managed to get back to sleep but I pretty much dozed on and off until 6 am.



We had no chance to sleep in. I got up at 6 to shower. I had moved the shower head the night before so it wouldn't spray in Andy's face. I went to move it back and it came off in my hand. Nice. Now I had a strong stream of water with no control. Breakfast was from 7 until 7:30 when the bus would take them to USF. The hotel café was crowded and the line too long. Andy didn't want to eat, which I had expected. I didn't want to eat either. It was the typical buffet fare of rubbery eggs and greasy sausage served on foam plates with plastic silverware. After the bus left, I packed up and checked out. If I had the time, I would have opted for a nicer breakfast but it seems that I was in for a junk-food weekend and went to Chick Fil A.

I got to the Rec Center but they didn't have much direction inside. There were two gyms being used, opposite ends of the center, one upstairs and one downstairs. I eventually found them and Andy was happy to see me. Like the Bowling event, this was organized chaos. Lots of people wandering about. I also had problems getting anything decent with my camera. Gymnasiums are a nightmare. I wish I had learned to use my flash or at least had remembered to use my diffuser for the pop-up flash.



There were 3 events; shooting, passing and dribbling. Andy had fun but wasn't really trying. He is not competitive. He started to get anxious with all the noise and no freedom to wander. I gave him his iPod which helped some. They do each event twice and Andy was ready to leave before he finished everything just once. I took a video with my iPhone and that made him happy. Then I shot video for the events and he did try a bit harder. At least he wasn't disappointed that he made no baskets.



Once he was done with everything, we were allowed to leave. It was only 10 am but he wanted to eat lunch at Chick Fil A. I drove leisurely so we only had to wait a few minutes before they started serving lunch at 10:30 am. He must had been hungry, he ate 12 nuggets and a large fry. We got a phone call that he had one a silver medal. Huh.

Originally, we were told he would be staying for two nights. They shortened this year. We are both glad. He was very happy to go home.