Liberty Day, etc.

The Post of Many Pictures


Mr. Erber

Bill Potter

Doug Phillips

the Erberauntey Singers singing Revolutionary Tea...awesome song, btw ;-)

the reenactment of the 2nd Virginia Convention



~~~

my sister Grace

Virginia Grace and my second sister, Naomi

I couldn't believe this pic when I saw it...5 of us Bandys in one picture! *everyone gasps*

third sister, Ruth

the men lining up for battle

then Abigail and I dancing :-D

We also enjoyed quite the snowstorm on the way home from Liberty Day: 3 inches of freezing rain and snow. However, the trip wasn't as extended compared to our St. Louis expedition--only about half an hour more than usual. (first St. Louis, next Chicago, after that... ???)

On schedule for this weekend--

another debate tourney! But this time in Louisville...and with two additional speeches: impromptu and persuasive. What is the subject for the persuasive, you might ask? Mac vs. Windows, in favor of the Macintosh (of course!). And after much deliberation, we finally decided upon where we're staying:

an unknown place.

(Background: torn between staying at a hotel and host housing [FREE!], we decided yesterday upon the latter option)

So begins another busy week for the Bandys...

Living on the Prairie, Part 2

Living on the Prairie

Well folks, the snow is here. It started up last night, around 9 o'clock or so, and has continued incessantly since then until about 10-15 minutes ago. The downfall began quickly, in fact, my brother and I thought that thunder or a snow plow sounded outside. In the morning, this is what it looked like in our backyard:



Yep, the white stuff. During the day, white-out conditions occured off and on and less than 5 vehicles passed our house. On the news this evening (one of those once-in-a-lifetime TV watchings we have), it was said that officials even quit plowing the county roads for reasons of receiving drifts as soon as they move on. Those are the roads we use to go anywhere. :-P Aye, we've got a blizzard on our hands. Dad and I had to stay home from our respective trips--his for work and mine for debate. There's 8 foot snow drifts near our area, and 2-4 foot drifts in our own yard. And while the snow stopped earlier for a brief time, 2-3 more inches are in the forecast.

Welcome to Illinois weather. :-D

Daily Dialogue

Two of our convos from today--gotta love Bandy conversations. ;-)

Emil calls me from the other room while I'm playing guitar...

"Shut the door!"
Me: "What?"
Him: "Please shut the door!"
Me: "What did you say?"
Him: "Shut the door!"
Me: "Shut what?"
Him: "The door!"
Me: "What about it?!"
Him: "Shut it!"
Me: "Oh! Ok..."

I couldn't hear him very well... *halo*

Then another one:

Grace shows Naomi the letter "p"...

Grace: "Naomi, what's that letter?"
Naomi: "But don't you know what it is?"
Grace: "Of course I do! I know all 24 letters of the alphabet!"

An iTunes Review

This thing was too good to be true...

Here's a review I found for the Polar Express soundtrack...apparently the movie is quite entertaining if you enjoy hot chocolate. ;-)

...entitled "HOT CHOCOLATE INDEED!"

"As a fancier of all hot beverages (specificly [sic] that delectibly delicious hot chocolate), My collegues and I went to our nearest cineplex to watch the moving picture of "The Polar Express" after hearing from those at the Hot Holiday Beverage Mususem [sic] of Hollywood, FL that there is a song (sung by the Academy Award Winning Tom Hanks) about hot chocolate! The $12 ticket was worth that one song! From this song, we really get a sense of how deliciously tempting, scrumptious, and tasty hot chocolate is! The song is sung at an energizing and fast pace, with the crew of the polar express singing a "milky" and "chocolatey" ;-) background melody to Tom Hanks' melodious and poingent voice. From the memorable lyrics (ere, we've only got one rule/Never ever let it cool!/Keep it cookin in the pot,/You've got-/Hot choc-o-lat!) the audience gets a real sense of just how excited the train is to recieve this milky warm treat! Hot chocolate is truely [sic] a song for Christmas and family. My...wife Mimi and I renewed our vows last november (11/12/05) to this "creamy" song. The hot chocolate community, as well as those who enjoy delectibly delicious hot beverages, would like to thank the makers of the box-office hit, "The Polar Express", for finally bringing the delights, tears, and happiness of hot chocolate to the big screen and "sippers" everywhere.
(P.S I saw the movie on an IMAX screen and , I must say, the hot chocolate looked large and scrumptious!!!)"

Nearing Twilight

A puddle gathered out on the road. Wind came from the south, creating ripples across its surface. Yesterday's rain secured many a puddle on the city's streets. Some considered that rain a torrential downpour, for not in a while had their locality received so much accumulation. A few people crossed the road, cars screeching to a stop. A mother and her son flew by, not wanting to be a nuisance. However, the son noticed the puddle and an image therein.

"Mommy, what's that thing?" he asked.

His mother stopped and peered at what her son had noticed. A man sat in a chair, hovering above the traffic. The wind increased in fury around them. Her head tilted up, looking for the object. Not finding anything, she looked back down. The chair rocked, and the man fell fast. She let out a scream, frantically looking around for someone injured. A man tripped on the sidewalk and fell as well. He glanced towards them, but turned away, seemingly uninterested in the matter.

Realizing cars around them were honking, the pair walked on. Clothes shopping was their goal for the day--school started in a week, and the young man lacked appropriate attire. They weaved in and out of separate stores along the road, buying the articles of clothing they needed. In the back of her mind, she thought someone followed them throughout the day, but searching proved to no avail. If a someone actually was following them, he wouldn't want to be found, anyway. So the pair walked on.

The time nearing sunset, they both decided a meal sounded great to top the day off. A restaurant located near where they were shopping was popular among the locals and greatly recommended by those of which they inquired. After being ushered in by a waitress, both took their seats and waited.

The Welcoming

The images shifted before his eyes. From the height at which he was situated, one could easily see for miles. But upon what he stood, he knew not. Looking down meant disappointment. His head swiveled back and forth--one landscape for a brief second, followed by another. In the far distance, water splashed against the sand, wave overlapping wave. To the right, people mulled about the streets of a village. A choice few ran to and fro from house to house. Beyond these instances his sight would not reach. His brain waves suddenly spiked, realizing the importance of this situation. The comfort of an easy chair slipped beneath him. His knees crooked, and he felt himself seated. Light descended upon the chair as the sun peeked out from behind a few hovering clouds. He blinked. The light disappeared. He moved a finger up, then back down. The water rose beyond the sand and crashed against land, creating numerous rivulets everywhere as it retreated back into the sea. His brow furrowed deep. Consternation etched across his face.

Slaves toiled in a field nearby. Noticing the sudden lack of light, someone looked up from below and called the attention of a few friends to the skies. More migrated to his position and stared into the heavens. They peered closely at the figure up above, attempting to figure out the situation. An elderly personage sitting upon the porch cried out a name. Some heard him, some didn't. They continued staring, as if waiting for something. But in the city, one other noticed the same thing as those in the field and instantly knew what was happening. Pain stabbed his heart, and he fell. Those standing alongside him saw his plight and rushed to aid him. However, he only pointed weakly toward the sky, then uttered a name. His cohorts looked, and all cried out in astonishment and rage.

The chair rocked to the side, and he plummeted towards the ground.

Debatering

Ahh, the tourney went great yesterday! My partner and I went 3-1 overall. (thank you Lord!) The first round was rather interesting: the neg team ran a counterplan. And in a novice debate, to boot. And for our very first round in an official debate tournament. Needless to say, Jared and I were quite caught off our guard, but thankfully we recovered quickly. Second round we ran up against a case that abolished Article V of the treaty, then the third and fourth (aff and neg, respectively, for us), the cases brought forth were practically the same thing: no more NATO expansion.

Our one loss? ...the counterplan round. So during the break, Zach Sanderson taught a few of us the basics of parametrics, and with visual effects! (go plastic bags and water bottle caps!)

And what tournament would be complete without pictures?


L-R: Jared, Amanda, Mrs. Turner, Katie


Zach, um, eating dinner


Jared and JulieAnne


Jonathan


Jordan...who also got 4th place speaker!


The Central Illinois Born Again Defenders (CIBAD)

Various Pictures...

...from church this past Sunday.


dp


Samuel Evans


The famed "Telephone Charade On-Lookers"


then of course two of the charaders...Jessica McDonald and Josiah Candler with Jessica doing....something....along the lines of a chicken, I believe

Ah yes, and a very inspirational post can be found here. Multi-generational thinking, no?

Points of Hereunto and Utterly Sensible Matters

This morning while browsing for a suitable secondary lens for my D50, I came across this one...a rather nice lens at an affordable price and it seemed like most current owners are satisfied with its abilities. However, "an affordable price" for some could mean "out of price range" for others. The latter example would be myself. I also have a habit of creating tons of tabs (multiple windows within a main window) within Safari. So...leaving the tab up for the lens, I moved on to other things.

(2 hours later...)

(minimizing windows is an awesome technique, by the way)

I went back to Safari, planning to do some more camera research. After going through different websites comparing prices, reading reviews, things like that, I decided to refresh the original page. The thing was almost 15 dollars cheaper!!

It's always nice to see stuff like that happen.

Hmmmm, pictures should be posted sometime, methinks.

Thou Preparest a Table

The camera flashed, just after everyone began singing. Another year had passed, making birthday parties inevitable. All who gathered were in a circle around him - tenors, sopranos, and some altos mixed in as well.

Happy Birthday to you
Happy Birthday to you...

A blaze of nine candles lit before him waved to and fro, almost in a mesmerizing manner. The camera flashed again. The singing continued. But not all with the same fervor.

Happy Birthday to you
Happy Birthday to you...

Then a voice whispered inside, "you have to make a wish!" A wish came before his thoughts, and he started. "Whoa...where'd that one come from?" He realized the singing had finished, and he mentally shook his head, coming back to reality.

A few puffs left his lips. The flames flickered, then were quenched.

Happy Birthday...

...to me. :-D

Go Tell It On the Mountain

The urge to tell everyone grew in him. He couldn't resist, the pressure was too strong. But the fifth commandment held him, reminding him of a request. Awhile back they made sure he wouldn't tell, he wouldn't reveal the secret. And if he did give in, the results could prove disastrous. Mayhem would reign, chaos would rule over all. Nothing would stop the river of gossip, nothing. A few were told over the course of one week, but just those who would keep their secret. Those people understood, though maybe a stray thought or two entered their minds as to why the decision was made. And this decision was like no other decision the family had made in many years. Only one other time could the young man remember a decision of this magnitude impacting his family so much. But, on the surface, the daily routine ran on, just like any other day, albeit preparing for a public announcement. Little things here and there, making a phone call or scheduling a meeting.

The clock ticked away the days, the hours, the minutes until the time came when it would be shown to the world.

An unknown time, however.

No one knew, only Him. Not even their friends and family, not even the children, not even the parents.

Only Him.

He Restoreth My Soul

He scribbled down his thoughts on a piece of paper, attempting to sorting them out. The confused rabble permeated his mind - it needed an outlet. Then a soothing spirit washed over him, bringing comfort in this time of need. Suddenly his thoughts mattered no longer.

When peace like a river
Attendeth my way,
When sorrows like sea billows roll
Whatever my lot,
Thou hast taught me to say

It is well
It is well
With my soul.

He laid his burden before the Savior, leaving it to His care, knowing that whatever might be done...

The situation was in His hands.

Broken and poured out
For the love of His creation,
God paid a debt
That He didn't owe.
Bearing my pain,
When not one was His equal
And wearing my shame
So that I could know Him.

He gave us all
He had to give
So that we could truly live

So let's give all
We have to Him
So that we can be

Completely free.

~ Completey Free by Big Daddy Weave

Another Year Passed

Happy New Year!! 2007 is upon us.

Or at least in 8 minutes, CST... ;-) Make that...7 minutes. Ah, nevermind, 6 minutes...

Hum dee dum.

5.

(might as well wait it out)

Four.

*looks up the Spanish spelling for three*

...

Trois? Hmmm...anyways.

2.

One.

30 seconds...

15 seconds.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!

For Thou Art With Me

He clicked on an icon. The program opened. As usual, pop-ups came and, as usual, were closed. He typed in his destination, waiting for the list to appear. Many choices came to view, but none to his satisfaction. He tried again, narrowing his topic to a more specific phrase. The familiar ring of his father working on finances sounded in a room nearby. Meanwhile, the narrowed search proved to no avail. "Oh well, off to another one, then." The thoughts mulled over in his mind, attempting to discover another need, another want, another non-existant desire. Music played in the background, softly in his ears.

This is the air I breathe
This is the air I breathe
Your holy presence
Living in me...

His eyes scanned the screen, taking in various windows and links. "Aha! There's one..." He knew what to do now. Switching to the program again, he typed in his search. The desired selection appeared time and time again, a smile on his lips, signaling victory. He moved the courser to a song, hovering over the text. His conscience suddenly pricked his mind and the thought crossed in front of him...

...do not steal...

...but something rose from the depths, tempting thoughts entered his mind...

...it's just a song...no one will really know where it's from...it'll be ok...shareware is the whole concept, so your actions are fine...you've done it many times before...

But the original thought persisted...

...do not steal...

He knew what to do this time. A few key-strokes, and the program closed.

"Every day they wrest my words: all their thoughts are against me for evil. They gather themselves together, they hide themselves, they mark my steps, when they wait for my soul. . . .

"In God have I put my trust: I will not be afraid what man can do unto me. Thy vows are upon me, O God: I will render praises unto thee. For thou hast delivered my soul from death: wilt not thou deliver my feet from falling, that I may walk before God in the light of the living?"

Beside the Still Waters

No emotion displayed in his face as he silently read the screen.

Why do I go through this? Why must the barrier be there at all times? Why is my faith lacking?

Questions raced through his mind, not finding an answer. The tears wouldn't come, the feeling from within wouldn't arise. He silently prayed a prayer, seeking guidance for the situation, but nothing came which might have. How much longer will this barrier persist? When his faith is restored properly. The words appeared as his fingers typed them out. The dull presence left him not, although hope lingered. He paused, opened a program, and turned on a song near the bottom of the list. It played while he silently sat, listening with bowed head and clasped hands. The lyrics continued: "I owe my life to you my Lord, here I am," he mouthed the words to the song. The barrier silently started to crumble from within. The lingering of hope shone brighter.

When I think I'm going under,
Part the waters Lord.
When I feel the waves around me,
Calm the sea.
When I cry for help,
O hear me Lord,
And hold out your hand.
And touch my life,
Still the raging storm in me.

I need Thee every hour,
Most gracious Lord
No tender voice like Thine
Can peace afford.
I need Thee, O I need Thee
Every hour I need Thee
O bless me now, my Savior
I come to Thee.

I need Thee every hour
In joy or in pain
Come quickly and abide
Or life is in vain.
I need Thee, O I need Thee
Every hour I need Thee
O bless me now, my Savior
I come to Thee.

O bless me now, my Savior
I come to Thee.

When I think I'm going under,
Part the waters, Lord.

~ Part the Waters / I Need Thee Every Hour by Selah

Merry Christmas!!

And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed. (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.) And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city. And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:) To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child. And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered. And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn. And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men. And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us. And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger. And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child. And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds. But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart. And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them.

~Luke 2:1-20, KJV

An Evening Tale

Last night the plan was to watch The Nativity Story at the local theater...somewhere over the rainbow....

We walked into the theater, expecting "The Nativity Story" to be right up there on the list of movie thingy, when we saw it wasn't... Ahh, better back up a bit.

*ahem* *insert suspenseful music*

This past week my sister Grace and one of my many cousins discussed at church the proposition of the aforementioned movie. Not any proposition in particular, just discussing it, mind you. Something along those lines. Katie (being my cousin) said the only day she could watch the movie would be Thursday, which was last night. So Dad and Mum tried to find the best theater to attend to watch this movie, coming to the conclusion that [some movie theater] would be the best bet. They even looked in Satruday's newspaper for confirmation of it being on this particular night, which was last night. More discussion ensued, and my parents decided to make a whole family get-together of it: while us three older kids, along with two other family members (my cousin and aunt), would be watching The Nativity Story, the rest of the Bandy family would watch...

Charlotte's Web.

So bringing the narrative up to speed, we shall analyze last night.

*music comes to a crescendo*

Supper was eaten earlier than usual, seeing as the traffic would be horrible with Christmas less than 5 days away, and also because Dad was off earlier than usual as well. We all then left for the capital, and since the two movies were separated by a 30 minutes time span, we decided to spend time at Panera across the way for the wait. So time was spent there.....we then walked over to Shop-Ko to spend lotsa money, around the area of 5 dollars....went back to the theater, expecting "The Nativity Story" to be right up there on the movie listing thing. But it wasn't. I went up to the counter, asked the guy if they were showing the movie, he responded that they weren't, but offered that another theater across town was showing the same movie two hours later. All of us just stood there staring at each other, not knowing what to do. An awkward few minutes passed.

*music pauses*

A hot debate began within those few minutes: should we travel all the way across town? (no...the movie was in two hours and Charlotte's Web would be finished by then) should we just sit out in the hallway, waiting for the rest of the family? (an emphatic no :-P ) or...should we watch another movie instead? (bingo!)

The final choice? Eragon.

*music resumes*

Overall...rather good movie, to say the least. I'd give it...maybe 4/5 stars. Kinda like a mix between Lord of the Rings and Chronicles of Narnia, in my opinion... Around an hour and fifty minutes, so not too lengthy... Although the prominent showing of magic disturbed me a little...

But I would not have rated it PG. More along the lines of PG-13.

MPAA...ugh.

*music ends*

Flying Factoids

The Setting:

Chelsea, Katie, Amanda, and I playing Scattergories at the Christmas party this evening...

The Context:

The letter we had to list things with was "S," and the promt was: Things That Fly.

So my logical answer?
...

Scuba divers.


What?! Don't look at me that way! Wouldn't you agree that scuba divers fly underwater?!