Ford's Theatre

National Museum of Natural History

Air and Space Museum

National Cathedral

Alex and Nick, March 2013

Vietnam Veterans Memorial

Michele at the wall. March, 2013.

Arlington National Cemetery

Michele, Alex, Nick. March, 2013.

Martin Luther King Jr Memorial

Michele. March, 2013

Jefferson Memorial

Alex, Michele, Nick, Matt and Shane. March, 2013.

Washington Monument

Michele, Nick, Alex, Matt and Shane. March, 2013

Lincoln Memorial

David, Nick, Alex, Michele, Matt and Shane. March 2013.

The White House

David and Michele in front of the White House, March 2013

The Nation's Capitol

Shane, Matthew, Alex, Nick and Michele in front of the Capitol building, March 2013.

The Greatest Dog in the World

If you've ever wondered if there is such a thing as a perfect dog, wonder no more. I've not only seen the perfect dog, I've captured him on film. Feast your eyes on Cody.

Cody

We first met Cody over the backyard fence, since he was being raised by our next door neighbor. In those days, Cody spent the majority of his time outside, rain or shine. We never passed up an opportunity to lean over the fence, pet him, and occasionally, sneak him some treats. He seemed so lonely, and he craved the attention.

Cold, wet, skinny Cody

One day, while leaning over the fence petting Cody, and telling him what a good boy he is, I heard a voice say "if you want him, you can have him." It was my next door neighbor, and she was talking to me through her kitchen window. She explained that they were moving, and that they needed to find a good home for Cody. She had noticed the relationship that had developed between us, and she thought we would be a good fit for him. I didn't know what to say. I was crazy about this dog, but I wasn't sure I was ready for dog ownership. We already had two cats, and hey, cats are easy. Dogs require an investment of time. I told my neighbor I would think about it, and let her know after speaking with Michele.

The decision to take in Cody was reached very quickly.

Cody moved in with us about a month later which was mid September of 2009. The neighbors sent along his big blue pillow, which we have in our living room in front of the fireplace. We knew a good transition would require some things that Cody was already familiar with. He spends a lot of time lounging on it, and it's his favorite spot to nibble on special treats.

Cody taking it easy

One of Cody's favorite pastimes, when he's not lounging on his pillow or our futon, is to take walks. That's why we love the area we live in so much, is because of the sheer number of places available to walk Cody. We started walking him with a leash, but soon realized he didn't need one. Cody is very well behaved around other dogs, and he doesn't stray very far away. We can just walk and talk, and Cody will always be within a few feet of us.

Walking Cody

Cody has become such an integral part of our everyday life, that it's hard to remember what life was like before he joined the family.

Jazz Night at NCWHS

Last night, NCWHS hosted its 18th annual Jazz Night. Participating bands this year were Evans JHS, Kingsley JHS, Parkside JHS, Normal West Jazz Kats, Normal Community Jazz Band, Normal West Jazz Band I, and the Parairieland Dixie Band.

The theme this year was New Orleans Jazz, and in addition to 3 and a half hours of great music, donations were accepted for the New Orleans Musicians Relief Fund.

I took many photos, as I always do, but I'll only provide a small taste of them here. For more photos, go to my shutterfly site here.

The first picture is of the Normal Community West High School Jazz Band I. My son Alex is the baritone sax player sitting on the far right in the front row.

Ryan Budzinski conducts Jazz Band I at the Normal Community West Jazz Night held on March 8, 2013

The next shot is of the Club Wildcats sign that hovers above the stage on the side of the catwalk. I've always felt like this sign gives the place a lot of class.

A familiar site at Jazz Night, the Club Wildcats sign.

Nick Gets His Braces Off

After nearly three years, Nick's braces have been removed. Here are before and after shots taken the day Nick went in to get his braces put on.

Before

After

What we were dealing with on that first day is illustrated in the following photo:

Nick's Teeth on 6/10/2010

Nick had a significant over bite, lots of crooked teeth, and severe crowding. The corrective process was threefold; hold back the growth of the upper jaw while allowing the lower jaw to continue growing, make more room for the teeth coming in, and straighten out the crooked ones.

The results are spectacular:

Nick's Teeth on 3/8/2013

And here is Nick today, nearly three years older, and many many many years wiser:

Before

After

Congratulations Nick! Way to hang in there.

Golden Eagle Goat Toss

Not for those who are squeamish about watching cute little goats plunge thousands of feet to their death.

Our Story in 2 Minutes

Climate Change: Lines of Evidence

The Demolition of the Hilltop Water Tower

A landmark that brings back a lot of fond memories for me is the Hilltop Water Tower located at the corner of 18th and Bahnson in Sioux Falls, SD. In the early 1970's, I attended 1st through 4th grade at the Cleveland Elementary Annex, which was a group of houses located just to the West of the tower on South Point Drive. I lived on the East side of Bahnson, so I passed the tower each day as I walked to and from school. Since the tower sat on the highest point in Sioux Falls, I can legitimately say I walked uphill both to and from school.

At the base of the tower was a merry-go-round, and my friends and I never missed an opportunity to get it spinning as fast as we could. In the winter, we spent endless hours sledding down the steep hill on the tower's West side. Those days were fun, and innocent.

Years later, when I sought out fun that wasn't so innocent, I found myself climbing that tower with a friend, and an older brother. I was probably 16 at the time, and the three of us thought it might be neat to shoot bottle rockets from the top of that tower. We didn't fall off or get arrested so, I guess it was our lucky day. Not a smart day, just a lucky day.

This past summer, the city of Sioux Falls decided it was time to bring the old water tower down. It hadn't been used for many years, and so its time had come. It made me sad to know that it was gone, that corner will never look the same, but hey, progress happens.

Luckily, I was able to get a hold of some photos of the tower's demolition:

In the first photo, workers have cut away a section of the base, and are in the process of marking other sections that will be cut away. What this does is weaken the structure, which will make it easier  to topple the tower. Also notice that there is a steel cable attached to the top of the tower. The other end of the cable is attached to a tractor to the right of the area pictured.

Hilltop Water Tower in Sioux Falls, SD is prepped for demolition

In the next photo, you can see the ladder used by authorized, and unauthorized :) personnel to climb the tower. You can also see the tractor that will be used to bring the tower down.

Tractor prepares to topple Hilltop Water Tower in Sioux Falls, SD

The collapse begins. The skyline of Sioux Falls is about to be altered, forever.

Hilltop Water Tower being demolished in Sioux Falls, SD

Crash! The Hilltop tower isn't much of a tower anymore.   

Hilltop Water Tower crashes to the ground in Sioux Falls, SD

Here you can see the concrete slab the tower rested on, along with the underside of the tower's base.

Hilltop Water Tower after it is toppled in Sioux Falls, SD

Here the twisted metal that was once the Hilltop tower, is flattened under the weight of the tractor. Goodbye Hilltop tower, hello scrap metal.

Twisted metal that was once the Hilltop Water Tower in Sioux Falls, SD



This last photo is an aerial view of the Hilltop area in 1960. On the right side in the middle of the picture is the Hilltop Tower. Also included in the picture is Cleveland Elementary school, Saint Lambert's church, and towards the top is the East Park outdoor drive in theater. The house I grew up in wouldn't be built for another couple years after this photo was taken.

Aerial view of the Hilltop neighborhood of Sioux Falls in 1960

George McGovern (July 19, 1922 - October 21, 2012)

I wasn't old enough to vote when McGovern ran for president in 1972, but I was old enough to know that he was the better candidate. It's a shame that most of those who could vote, still had some growing up to do.