Yaaaay! Group pics are the best!!

Joyful!

ET to the M

Look how much fun ETMer's have and how far that girl can stretch her leg! Wow!! ETM rocks!!

Early Teen Ministries is a 7th and 8th grade church group that I joined and it's neat. The kids are fun; I like them and they like me. They made me stand in the back; I have my arm around a guy I don't know. He wasn't a leader and he's not in middle school; I don't know where he came from or for what reason. I like him though; he has glasses. He's the lone ranger of glasses; everyone one else is glasses-less. Look how happy he is; I don't think he notices.

Last night regrets

Last night was extremely gratifying. Aaron and I were on our way to bed, when we remembered we had left a candle burning. As we hovered over the little beacon of light, ready to end its short-lived life, we exchanged a glance, ever so sweetly; we knew exactly what to do. I snagged the candle, Aaron the camera and tripod. We quickly retreated to our computer room, the mood was right. We knew that all light was our enemy, except our precious candle. Shortly after the stage was set, we were happily interrupted by our handsome roommate Kyle. Instantly, our minds were in sync, a bond was formed.

The rest of the story is in photographs.

The story unfolds...

Huka

Ode to Kittens

My parents just informed me that they acquired a couple new pets, both of which are cats. The cats have been residents of the Tiersma household for a few weeks; however, my parents did not inform their "Iowa-locked" child do to the fact that I have a "past" with cats.

One day, outside my grandma's house, my sister and I were walking our shi-tsu, Brutus. My grandma recent-mother cat, Chelsea, came roaring towards our poor Brutus. To make a long story short, the situation ended with Brutus shaking uncontrollably on his back, me with a large cat scratch on my hand, bleeding profusely, and the cat in the top of a tree. I had saved the day, yet sacrificed my hand. I remember this day too well and so do my parents, resulting in them omitting the news from our weekly phone conversation.

Despite my numerous "run-ins" with felines, I don't mind a cute kitten. I actually enjoy cradling a purring kitten in my large banana hands. These hands are perfect; I mean, look at these mitts.
In light of the Tiersma household acquiring two new family members and my father's immense love for kittens, I name this post,

Ode to Kittens.

Hook him up!

I have this friend; his name is Jim Brinks.
Jim is lonely. He wants someone, anyone.

My goal is for anyone who is interested in this hunk from Michigan to leave a post. Even if you are semi-interested, leave something, for Jim.

To let you into the mind of JB, I asked him a few questions. I welcome you to explore Jimbo.

JT: So Jim, you're a bit lonely, huh?
Jim: I feel so cold inside.

JT: I'm sorry to hear that. Name five things you couldn't live without.
Jim: Cold beer, strong coffee, basketball, 70's rock, and penguins.

JT: Basketball, that's right. Word on the street is that you can do a sic 180 dunk?
Jim: Well actually Johnny, it's a 360, but I don't want to get caught up on the little things.

JT: Dr. Phil or Oprah?
Jim: Dr. Phil. His insight blows me away. He seems so practical but at the same time his wisdom is exactly what people don't expect to hear. When he says things like, "just quit eating!" or "stop spending money! " I find myself thinking, "You know, he's right." The man is a social genius.

JT: Is there anything you would like to say to all the women out there?
Jim: Yes there is. I have actually prepared something to read, it goes a little something like this:

I look through a golden filled glass. Your distortions are enhanced by my inebriated mind. I hold 12 ounces of loneliness to numb my senses, but I can still feel your anger. You spill like a broken cup full of hate for humanity. Why would you trust the world again? How could you? Not after that; no one blames you. But there is hope. Take my hand and trust in me. You must swallow your regrets before you choke and are drowned in a pool of misery.

JT: Wow, that was deep. Anything else you want to say?
Jim: Call me!!

There's a light on in Chicago...

Advice for future Chicago visitors:

1. Don't try "the Hot Karl". It sounds tempting, I know; I was entranced by the word "hot" as well. When it's 40 degrees out, one will almost do anything with the word "hot" in it. It was warm, no doubt about it, but it was incredibly raunchy. I guess I just thought “the Hot Karl” would be something else; Aaron shares this opinion and expands on my description.

2. Visit my friend Eric. He is always so good to me. He introduced Aaron and me to a fabulous Mexican restaurant where all three of us ravished a few carne asada burritos at about 2 in the morning. It was fantastic. I can't wait to see him again.

3. Check out all that downtown has to offer. Women can delight in various retail stores such as "the gap" or "old navy", while men can explore the magnificent architecture of buildings with incredible stature such as “the John Hancock” and “the Sears Tower”.

The Lincoln Park Zoo was free and very entertaining. We saw a cheetah and a lady with a cheetah coat all at the same exhibit. The lady's friend saw a chance at using her broken English and exclaimed, "Same, same!" A hand motion that linked the jacket with the animal, a rapid typewriter pointing motion, accompanied the simple, repeated word. She continued to point, smile, nod, and repeat "same same" until I finally gave her an affirming nod.

I felt we had, though it may have been slight, a beautiful connection.


I have posted a picture of my "animal-loving friend" for your enjoyment.

She loves animals too

My 83 year-old pal

I have a friend; she's 83. Her name is Rose.

I saved Rose's life once. She was choking on water in the pool and I brought her a water bottle. She has told me the story of almost dying a few times because she forgot I was there. To this day, I have never once taken glory for the situation because I always thought that she wasn't really coughing very loud; it was more of a "clearing the throat" sound.

Anyway, she writes me while I am at school in Iowa. Her are some excerpts from her letter to me, dated November 2 2004:

"Hi John, My niece Danna Jean and I went to the W.W. Club Sat 2 to 4:20. We had such a good time, Steve told me to go in gym early so we had a front seat. Scott had an a hat made out of Balloons it was fun to wear and then Danna got me to played games and win prizes. Spencer and his girl friend was working there, he had a gray wig on.

You are in college to study, your not on vacation. Keep up the good work. It's cool here, cool in afternoon, when the sun goes down. It gets "luiskarli", chilly, my brother made that word up when he was a youngster.

Your mom brought me a peppermint plant, isn't that thoughtful. She had to pick your brother up, we had a cup of tea.

Bye Bye, the movie was "The day after tomorrow" exciting Dennis Quaid. Yesterday Scott made popcorn. I didn't eat any I wasn't hungry. I had Angel Hair part all natural ingredients made tomato and basil natural paste be boles.

Your friend, Rose Rio

Please note: I am not posting this to make fun of Rose, for I love her. She is so old and so sweet that I would never dream of mocking her. So in reading this letter, may your love for Rose overflow into your every day life. Go and love one another.

S to the TEPHEN

My boy Stephen, look at him; he's a artist. Lyrics are his paint. The crowd is his canvas. Indulge in a masterpiece. Spit rhymes with conviction my boy.

Westwood Club 2004 holla back

Where my dawgs at?

Hollar

If you like diversity and think it's pimp/dope then check this:

www.blackpeopleloveus.com

Holla back

Great place to visit

Minneapolis is a beautiful city. Unless you are walking 30 something blocks in the dead of night, to find a restaurant with over a 2-hour wait, that didn't take reservations. On this walk, you see more bums with bottles in brown paper bags than white people in northwest Iowa. Then after you decide not to wait for 2 hours you take public transportation back to a restaurant 1 block from your hotel. But the trip wasn't all a loss. I did learn one main thing from the National Middle School Conference. No matter what they act or convey; Teachers truly do hate "that kid".

Beautiful Minne

apple stock is on the rise

Fish

Friends. I ask you to not only spend your evenings visiting my blog but visit the blog of my dear friend Aaron at http://aslansmane.blogspot.com; he has a story he would like to tell you. I was there for the event; alas, I was sleeping. Forgive me Nemo.

So it goes.

Welcome

Welcome to Edmund's Delight.