Friday, January 15, 2010
Fourteen already
Seems like not all that long ago Darby was entering her double digits. And like only yesterday she became a teenager. Looks like there's no going back, as she turned fourteen this week. Next year comes high school. Then driving. Then... life.
Here is Darby and I at dinner on her 14th birthday.
This is an awesome picture of Darby having fun opening her gifts at a dinner with her friends tonight. She had a blast!
Darby went to dinner and a movie with friends for her birthday.
Here's a short clip of Darby's friends singing happy birthday to her outside the movie theater.
Here is Darby and I at dinner on her 14th birthday.
This is an awesome picture of Darby having fun opening her gifts at a dinner with her friends tonight. She had a blast!
Darby went to dinner and a movie with friends for her birthday.
Here's a short clip of Darby's friends singing happy birthday to her outside the movie theater.
Labels: birthday, Darby, video
Friday, December 11, 2009
Winter Piano Recital
Darby has been feverishly practicing for a piano recital at school this evening. Unfortunately she started feeling bad yesterday and woke up with a fever this morning. She missed school today, in fact, but the recital is a grade in her major and we were told there were few make-up opportunities left in the semester. So, she showed, and she played.
I was supposed to leave work a bit early in order to swing by home and pick-up the camcorder. But I couldn't leave as early as needed and so had to head straight for school. And as my point-and-shoot camera was flashing low-battery, in addition to being low on memory card space (again, didn't have time to go home), that left my phone as the remaining video capture source. That might have worked out great, but I forgot to change the default format from MMS quality so the frame-rate is low AND the predefined length is one minute. Really frustrates me that I didn't think to change that setting. So anyway, here we have the first minute of Darby's ninety-second song.
I was supposed to leave work a bit early in order to swing by home and pick-up the camcorder. But I couldn't leave as early as needed and so had to head straight for school. And as my point-and-shoot camera was flashing low-battery, in addition to being low on memory card space (again, didn't have time to go home), that left my phone as the remaining video capture source. That might have worked out great, but I forgot to change the default format from MMS quality so the frame-rate is low AND the predefined length is one minute. Really frustrates me that I didn't think to change that setting. So anyway, here we have the first minute of Darby's ninety-second song.
Labels: Darby, piano, school, video
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
Fall Choir
Darby and Shelby had a choir concert at school tonight. Here's a video of one of Darby's numbers.
Labels: choir, Darby, school, Shelby, video
Monday, October 19, 2009
Best Show on Earth?
I feel I must disclaim that U2 is NOT my favorite band. They're among my favorites. And I have many of their albums, including the latest. But I actually did not plan on going to this show initially. And had a friend not picked up some tickets, I'm not sure that I would have. That said, I am SO very glad that I did go after all.
From a raw production/entertainment value perspective, this had to be one of the best shows I have personally ever seen. Ridiculously well put together. Jaw-dropping in nearly all regards. Well intended otherwise. And if you said to me that, of the active tours in the world, U2 360 was presently the best show on Earth, I could certainly see why you would think that. And I'm not sure I'd be able to disagree.
The opening band, though not one I'd listen to on most days, was wisely chosen from a "pump up the crowd" perspective. Aside from a few glaring omissions (Pride, Desire, New Years Day, All I Want is You), the set list was well chosen and executed. Everything was so great, in fact, that I had to tell my oldest daughter, who was attending her first concert, that all of what she had experienced was NOT typical of what she should expect of future shows, lest she be infinitely disappointed in her further concert going exploits.
According to Bono, U2 had last performed in Norman 26 years ago in 1983. While I can't speak on behalf of those lucky ones to have seen them back then, I'd like to believe that if I had been among them, I would have felt that they made it well worth the wait. I can't imagine that anyone left that show feeling terribly disappointed. Unless perhaps Pride was the all time favorite song of a loved one recently departed or some such scenario.
Unfortunately for you, if you were at all like me and did not get off your butt to make this show happen for yourself, you missed out on what would likely be considered a once in a lifetime concert event. And though I'd guess that U2 will keep performing until Bono's larynx falls out, I don't know that they have many shows of this caliber left in them. So there may not be a next time for you I'm sorry to say.
The set was a massive endeavor. Referred to as the "mothership" by Bono. In the very center was the stage, and there was an additional stage area that formed a "ring" around the main stage, with 3 bridges that crossed over to the ring, two of which moved during the show, going OVER the audience making up the "inner ring". Bono talked about this arrangement, saying it was for us, the audience, to get closer to us. He said it was "intimacy on a grand scale". And I'd have to agree. The "360 degree screen" was an amazing centerpiece to the show. Without which I'm certain the show would have suffered. And the lights, wow. They did not fail to amuse.
Obviously, by the pictures below, my seats weren't that intimate, but my daughter had better luck than myself. She went down to Norman earlier in the afternoon with a friend's sister and kids to stand in the general admission line. Sounds like a worse deal than mine, but she was one of the lucky first 1200 folks to get to stand inside the "inner ring" and experience Bono intimately, though fortunately it was the kind of intimately a parent prefers. She texted me during the show... "OMG this is intense" and "This is magnificent". Let me just point out that my teenage daughter used a big word. Voluntarily. So, she really meant it. She was genuinely impressed. Tough to do with kids these days.
And now for the pictures. Due to the quality of my seats, these are mostly about pretty lights. Mostly.
Here is the set before the show. Nice, huh? Certainly big enough.
Here's a zoom of the lucky people in the inner ring. My 13 year old daughter is among them. Her first real concert and she's spoiled already.
I really like this picture, taken during the Black Eyed Peas opening performance, with the lights out and the cell phones on. The mothership analogy fits right in with this snapshot of the U2 fan universe.
My friend Rob, who I've known since college, and I during intermission.
Me, during intermission, apparently wearing the mothership on my head.
Perhaps more amazing than the mothership itself was the screen. It changed shapes and sizes and moved up and down. A very neat, and probably crucial, piece of the experience.
Another view of the screen. Even though I didn't have the intimate Bono experience, I still had a nice view of what was going on up there.
The rest of the pictures are to give you an idea of the different lighting arrangements and the different shapes and positions of the screen.
This video is from intermission. I guess we got bored enough to get a wave going.
And here is the beginning of the show. You're not really supposed to be able to enjoy the show. Just giving you a taste.
From a raw production/entertainment value perspective, this had to be one of the best shows I have personally ever seen. Ridiculously well put together. Jaw-dropping in nearly all regards. Well intended otherwise. And if you said to me that, of the active tours in the world, U2 360 was presently the best show on Earth, I could certainly see why you would think that. And I'm not sure I'd be able to disagree.
The opening band, though not one I'd listen to on most days, was wisely chosen from a "pump up the crowd" perspective. Aside from a few glaring omissions (Pride, Desire, New Years Day, All I Want is You), the set list was well chosen and executed. Everything was so great, in fact, that I had to tell my oldest daughter, who was attending her first concert, that all of what she had experienced was NOT typical of what she should expect of future shows, lest she be infinitely disappointed in her further concert going exploits.
According to Bono, U2 had last performed in Norman 26 years ago in 1983. While I can't speak on behalf of those lucky ones to have seen them back then, I'd like to believe that if I had been among them, I would have felt that they made it well worth the wait. I can't imagine that anyone left that show feeling terribly disappointed. Unless perhaps Pride was the all time favorite song of a loved one recently departed or some such scenario.
Unfortunately for you, if you were at all like me and did not get off your butt to make this show happen for yourself, you missed out on what would likely be considered a once in a lifetime concert event. And though I'd guess that U2 will keep performing until Bono's larynx falls out, I don't know that they have many shows of this caliber left in them. So there may not be a next time for you I'm sorry to say.
The set was a massive endeavor. Referred to as the "mothership" by Bono. In the very center was the stage, and there was an additional stage area that formed a "ring" around the main stage, with 3 bridges that crossed over to the ring, two of which moved during the show, going OVER the audience making up the "inner ring". Bono talked about this arrangement, saying it was for us, the audience, to get closer to us. He said it was "intimacy on a grand scale". And I'd have to agree. The "360 degree screen" was an amazing centerpiece to the show. Without which I'm certain the show would have suffered. And the lights, wow. They did not fail to amuse.
Obviously, by the pictures below, my seats weren't that intimate, but my daughter had better luck than myself. She went down to Norman earlier in the afternoon with a friend's sister and kids to stand in the general admission line. Sounds like a worse deal than mine, but she was one of the lucky first 1200 folks to get to stand inside the "inner ring" and experience Bono intimately, though fortunately it was the kind of intimately a parent prefers. She texted me during the show... "OMG this is intense" and "This is magnificent". Let me just point out that my teenage daughter used a big word. Voluntarily. So, she really meant it. She was genuinely impressed. Tough to do with kids these days.
And now for the pictures. Due to the quality of my seats, these are mostly about pretty lights. Mostly.
Here is the set before the show. Nice, huh? Certainly big enough.
Here's a zoom of the lucky people in the inner ring. My 13 year old daughter is among them. Her first real concert and she's spoiled already.
I really like this picture, taken during the Black Eyed Peas opening performance, with the lights out and the cell phones on. The mothership analogy fits right in with this snapshot of the U2 fan universe.
My friend Rob, who I've known since college, and I during intermission.
Me, during intermission, apparently wearing the mothership on my head.
Perhaps more amazing than the mothership itself was the screen. It changed shapes and sizes and moved up and down. A very neat, and probably crucial, piece of the experience.
Another view of the screen. Even though I didn't have the intimate Bono experience, I still had a nice view of what was going on up there.
The rest of the pictures are to give you an idea of the different lighting arrangements and the different shapes and positions of the screen.
This video is from intermission. I guess we got bored enough to get a wave going.
And here is the beginning of the show. You're not really supposed to be able to enjoy the show. Just giving you a taste.
Labels: concert, music, opinion, review, video
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
Shelby saves a duckling
Shelby chased down a duckling at the pond in front of the capitol in Washington, D.C. It had gotten out of the pond and couldn't get back in to be reunited with its mom. Pictures from the trip forthcoming.
Labels: Shelby, trip, vacation, video, Washington DC
Friday, May 29, 2009
Strings performance
Shelby performing with her school strings ensemble during an awards assembly. Unfortunately, my memory card ran out of space in the middle of her solo. BUT, I had another, tape-based, camera going, so I will replace this video, though it will take a bit to do the conversion.
Update
My video camera USB dock is not compatible with Vista. Dang it. I need to buy a DV cable before I can do the conversion. Grr.
Labels: school, Shelby, strings, video
Sunday, May 17, 2009
Shelby is Popular
Shelby performing "Popular" from Wicked during the Lyric Academy Spring Cabaret.
Labels: Shelby, theatre, video
Friday, April 10, 2009
Shelby being Shelby
A funny video of Shelby trying to say a tongue-twister with a stuffy nose. Previously posted to a social networking site, finally here as well.
Thursday, April 09, 2009
Aforementioned Piano Recital Video
Darby performing Sonatina in C Major by Latour for her 7th grade school piano recital. Some mistakes, but she had a bad morning. Woke up late, didn't have time to practice before the show, etc. Pretty good all things considered.
Labels: Darby, piano, school, video
Wednesday, April 09, 2008
Recital
Darby had a piano recital today. She was nervous and didn't play as well as I've heard her play her piece at home (and I've heard it A LOT), but she played decently under the circumstances (probably the biggest audience she's ever played for).
Labels: Darby, piano, school, video
Sunday, June 17, 2007
Piano Recital
Sunday, February 25, 2007
On Oscar night, a little show from my drama queen
As though a thousand words weren't enough...
...how about a few laughs as well...
...she thought I was going to take a picture, but soon learned otherwise.
...how about a few laughs as well...
...she thought I was going to take a picture, but soon learned otherwise.
Tuesday, January 23, 2007
Stress relieved with the right words
Darby had a piano audition today for the school we hope she will attend next year. Below is a video of her rehearsing last night. She has been quite stressed about this audition for some time, and is quite glad to be done. We have one more hurdle to overcome and then it's a matter of waiting to find out if she gets in.
Prior to her audition, the teacher asked her a question: "Why do you want to go to this school?"
Her answer: "Because I know it's a good school and I want to go to a good college"
I was personally shocked that she would come up with such a perfect answer. And the teacher concurred that it was the right answer at the right time.
Prior to her audition, the teacher asked her a question: "Why do you want to go to this school?"
Her answer: "Because I know it's a good school and I want to go to a good college"
I was personally shocked that she would come up with such a perfect answer. And the teacher concurred that it was the right answer at the right time.
Labels: Darby, piano, school, video
Saturday, September 09, 2006
Can my kids BE any more weird?
Sure they can. But man, they've got to try real hard to prove it.
After going back to the mall for a second straight weekend to get yet more stuff for Shelby with her gift cards, we stopped by a McDonald's to get a couple ice cream cones. First, while waiting for the cones to be made, I caught the girls on my camera phone in video mode in a rare moment of getting along. Ever since they've started Rhythm and Movement class at school, they've been dancing with each other during idle moments with enough floor space.
Not ten minutes later, while eating her ice cream, Shelby decided that she suddenly had to visit the restroom, much to my dismay (because she was maybe a quarter finished with her just-purchased ice cream). Here's a video clip of her potty dance (note at the end, Darby trying to snag the leftover chocolate coating that fell from Shelby's cone).
After going back to the mall for a second straight weekend to get yet more stuff for Shelby with her gift cards, we stopped by a McDonald's to get a couple ice cream cones. First, while waiting for the cones to be made, I caught the girls on my camera phone in video mode in a rare moment of getting along. Ever since they've started Rhythm and Movement class at school, they've been dancing with each other during idle moments with enough floor space.
Not ten minutes later, while eating her ice cream, Shelby decided that she suddenly had to visit the restroom, much to my dismay (because she was maybe a quarter finished with her just-purchased ice cream). Here's a video clip of her potty dance (note at the end, Darby trying to snag the leftover chocolate coating that fell from Shelby's cone).
Saturday, August 19, 2006
Too soon, but not too safe
I got up at eight. Yes, on a Saturday. We had many things to do. First on the block was a couple of errands. The post office to pick up a package, and then the bank. I thought my post office opened up at 8:30 like on weekdays, but no. Not until ten. So we were too early. Wasted trip.
Next stop was the bank. Also too early. They didn't open until nine. So we sat there and waited the fifteen minutes for it to open. True, the drive-thru was open, but I had a different sort of transaction to make. Today, I rented a safe deposit box.
Ever since the burglary of late 2004, I've been rather concerned for the safe keeping of certain documents and other items. I contemplated getting a safe for the house, but proper and effective installation requires mounting to the floor. Even then, a determined crook (thinking there's something of greater value than papers inside) may eventually get in. Then there's the fire threat. Even high dollar home safes don't stand up infinitely well to certain kinds of fires. So when I learned how incredibly cheap it was to rent a safe deposit box, holy moly I was all over that idea. I looked it up on my bank website on a whim, and at first I thought the rate was monthly. $40/month is a bit steep for such a service. But that much annually is a freakin bargain. So within days of learning of the feasibility of that option, it is now a reality, and my important documents are safe (pun intended).
It didn't take long at the bank (maybe 20 minutes), and we then had breakfast with the girls' mom, since our late morning plans involved school clothes shopping. Much to my dismay, we spent at least a couple hours (if not a few, didn't pay that close attention) at the store spending a ridiculous amount on not as much clothes as I would have liked to walk away with. Granted the single highest dollar item was Darby's gigantic shoes (size 8.5 on a ten year old!), I was rather shocked at the sticker price when it was all totaled up. Man I hope this stuff makes it through the fall in tact.
The girls said bye to their mom and we grabbed some lunch before heading off to a movie. The girls were a bit disappointed that we didn't see a movie last night, so we took care of that today. Material Girls. How on-topic after that shopping spree. Of course the girls loved it. Especially Shelby, the biggest material girl in the house. She already wants to see it again.
After the movie, we walked around Bricktown for a bit, before catching a boat ride. Almost every time we're down there, the girls ask to ride the water taxis, but I always say no because there's always (conveniently) a huge line. Today, for reasons I'm unsure of (oh, yeah, I remember... it was a hundred degrees out), there was NO line. In fact, we were the only three people on the boat. But it worked out well. Mostly. We got a very personalized tour guide presentation, so that was cool. I'm annoyed that I forgot my camera (I almost always have it), and so had to take pics with my disappointing-when-compared-with-my-real-one camera phone (did get a couple shots, below, AND, a video of Shelby having happy birthday sung to her).
I'm also a bit peeved that I knew more about Oklahoma City economic development than our tour guide. He cited several inaccuracies, and somehow missed the news about an Oklahoma City investment group buying the Seattle Supersonics. What rock has he been living under? Tour guides are supposed to have inside info, not staler-than-Philadelphia-street-pretzels info. Sheesh. Don't get me wrong, he was a nice guy, but not so informed as he should be. Don't worry, I still tipped him, so I'm not such a bad sport about it.
Now, at least, I'm off the hook with regard to Bricktown boat rides. Following previous denials of that activity, Shelby has stopped her feet to a statement containing the words "we NEVER get to...". Now that we have, no more of that. I do have some regret about our timing. It was so freakin hot out, that we were all quite literally dripping sweat when we got off the boat. Time for some AC!
And AC we got. Another first for us in Bricktown (because of previously intolerable waits), we had dinner at Toby Keith's restaurant. Not bad. Price-wise or as far as the ambiance. And only a fifteen minute wait to get seated. Though, when we left, I noticed there was a huge crowd at the door, so our timing was good.
So now I'm just way tired. We did a lot of stuff today. I wanted to do something else this evening, but the heat has just caught up with me. I was hoping for a grander send-off for our last pre-school-year Saturday. Well, we still have Labor Day. And Shelby's birthday party next weekend. Ugh.
Next stop was the bank. Also too early. They didn't open until nine. So we sat there and waited the fifteen minutes for it to open. True, the drive-thru was open, but I had a different sort of transaction to make. Today, I rented a safe deposit box.
Ever since the burglary of late 2004, I've been rather concerned for the safe keeping of certain documents and other items. I contemplated getting a safe for the house, but proper and effective installation requires mounting to the floor. Even then, a determined crook (thinking there's something of greater value than papers inside) may eventually get in. Then there's the fire threat. Even high dollar home safes don't stand up infinitely well to certain kinds of fires. So when I learned how incredibly cheap it was to rent a safe deposit box, holy moly I was all over that idea. I looked it up on my bank website on a whim, and at first I thought the rate was monthly. $40/month is a bit steep for such a service. But that much annually is a freakin bargain. So within days of learning of the feasibility of that option, it is now a reality, and my important documents are safe (pun intended).
It didn't take long at the bank (maybe 20 minutes), and we then had breakfast with the girls' mom, since our late morning plans involved school clothes shopping. Much to my dismay, we spent at least a couple hours (if not a few, didn't pay that close attention) at the store spending a ridiculous amount on not as much clothes as I would have liked to walk away with. Granted the single highest dollar item was Darby's gigantic shoes (size 8.5 on a ten year old!), I was rather shocked at the sticker price when it was all totaled up. Man I hope this stuff makes it through the fall in tact.
The girls said bye to their mom and we grabbed some lunch before heading off to a movie. The girls were a bit disappointed that we didn't see a movie last night, so we took care of that today. Material Girls. How on-topic after that shopping spree. Of course the girls loved it. Especially Shelby, the biggest material girl in the house. She already wants to see it again.
After the movie, we walked around Bricktown for a bit, before catching a boat ride. Almost every time we're down there, the girls ask to ride the water taxis, but I always say no because there's always (conveniently) a huge line. Today, for reasons I'm unsure of (oh, yeah, I remember... it was a hundred degrees out), there was NO line. In fact, we were the only three people on the boat. But it worked out well. Mostly. We got a very personalized tour guide presentation, so that was cool. I'm annoyed that I forgot my camera (I almost always have it), and so had to take pics with my disappointing-when-compared-with-my-real-one camera phone (did get a couple shots, below, AND, a video of Shelby having happy birthday sung to her).
I'm also a bit peeved that I knew more about Oklahoma City economic development than our tour guide. He cited several inaccuracies, and somehow missed the news about an Oklahoma City investment group buying the Seattle Supersonics. What rock has he been living under? Tour guides are supposed to have inside info, not staler-than-Philadelphia-street-pretzels info. Sheesh. Don't get me wrong, he was a nice guy, but not so informed as he should be. Don't worry, I still tipped him, so I'm not such a bad sport about it.
Now, at least, I'm off the hook with regard to Bricktown boat rides. Following previous denials of that activity, Shelby has stopped her feet to a statement containing the words "we NEVER get to...". Now that we have, no more of that. I do have some regret about our timing. It was so freakin hot out, that we were all quite literally dripping sweat when we got off the boat. Time for some AC!
And AC we got. Another first for us in Bricktown (because of previously intolerable waits), we had dinner at Toby Keith's restaurant. Not bad. Price-wise or as far as the ambiance. And only a fifteen minute wait to get seated. Though, when we left, I noticed there was a huge crowd at the door, so our timing was good.
So now I'm just way tired. We did a lot of stuff today. I wanted to do something else this evening, but the heat has just caught up with me. I was hoping for a grander send-off for our last pre-school-year Saturday. Well, we still have Labor Day. And Shelby's birthday party next weekend. Ugh.
Labels: bricktown, OKC, Shelby, video
Saturday, June 03, 2006
Black Hawk Darby
After I picked up the girls from their mom's today, we went to check out an open house at the Museum of Women Pilots, which was pretty cool, and I hope inspirational for the girls. Aside from the exhibits, they got to see a Black Hawk helicopter up close. They each even got to sit in the cockpit.
They also got to watch the helicopter take off from less than a hundred feet away. Of course, in the spirit of the day, it was piloted by a woman. Warning, the girls are NOT in the video. Just neat seeing a helicopter taking off.
Upon completion of a short visit to the park and then dinner, and keeping with the themes of they day, we went to the Women's College World Series, as we have for the last two years. We got to see the closing innings of the Tennessee/Arizona State game, and then watched Texas try really really hard to beat UCLA. While it looked like Texas actually played a little harder, they just couldn't score, and lost the game despite the HUGE Texas fanbase that showed up. There were more than seven thousand in attendance, which was a record for a non-championship WCWS game. While Shelby is never generally into such things, Darby was pretty into it. At least until the day caught up to her and she fell asleep (photo courtesy of Shelby).
They also got to watch the helicopter take off from less than a hundred feet away. Of course, in the spirit of the day, it was piloted by a woman. Warning, the girls are NOT in the video. Just neat seeing a helicopter taking off.
Upon completion of a short visit to the park and then dinner, and keeping with the themes of they day, we went to the Women's College World Series, as we have for the last two years. We got to see the closing innings of the Tennessee/Arizona State game, and then watched Texas try really really hard to beat UCLA. While it looked like Texas actually played a little harder, they just couldn't score, and lost the game despite the HUGE Texas fanbase that showed up. There were more than seven thousand in attendance, which was a record for a non-championship WCWS game. While Shelby is never generally into such things, Darby was pretty into it. At least until the day caught up to her and she fell asleep (photo courtesy of Shelby).
Labels: Darby, Shelby, sports, video, Women's College World Series
Tuesday, May 16, 2006
Re-glassed and over celebratory
Weeks after getting Shelby examined for a new pair of glasses, we finally got those picked up today (she wouldn't take the picture without her monkey case).
She also had a decent fencing practice today, winning most of her bouts, though she did get a little over celebratory about one particular point she scored.
She also had a decent fencing practice today, winning most of her bouts, though she did get a little over celebratory about one particular point she scored.
Labels: fencing, glasses, Shelby, video
Thursday, May 04, 2006
Noticeable fencing improvement
Shelby didn't have any work to do today, so she got to go to fencing practice. She had three bouts and won two of them. Here's a short video of one of her bouts.
Her improvement is noticeable when compared with a video from October 2004. She's not as timid as she once was when it comes to scoring opportunities.
Her improvement is noticeable when compared with a video from October 2004. She's not as timid as she once was when it comes to scoring opportunities.
Labels: fencing, Shelby, video
Sunday, October 23, 2005
Experimenting
Darby's next science project is an experimental one. She has to state a hypothesis, carry out an experiment, and report the results and conclusion.
I wanted her to come up with something she could largely do herself, though I expected we might need some help in the materiel support department. After discussing my ideas with her, we came up with the title "Which Ball is Best?"
The idea is to create a reasonably constant environment with which to experiment, so that only the ball we use will vary. We intend to hit several softball brands, from generic to premium, to see if the brand matters in terms of distance the ball travels.
As I have virtually no physical skills whatsoever, I enlisted my father's help. I explained the idea and gave some suggestions, and the mechanically inclined grandfather of Darby hit the ground running. After just a couple days of measuring and wood-working, we now have a contraption with which Darby can conduct her experiment. Below are a photo and video of it in action.
Darby will do the actual experimenting. She will load the device and pull the string to release the bat probably dozens of times. She will measure the distance of each hit ball, and she will do the math (average distance per ball) before writing-up her conclusions.
You might think it would all end there, but then she has to present her results orally AND via a tri-fold presentation board with photos, diagrams, etc.
I wanted her to come up with something she could largely do herself, though I expected we might need some help in the materiel support department. After discussing my ideas with her, we came up with the title "Which Ball is Best?"
The idea is to create a reasonably constant environment with which to experiment, so that only the ball we use will vary. We intend to hit several softball brands, from generic to premium, to see if the brand matters in terms of distance the ball travels.
As I have virtually no physical skills whatsoever, I enlisted my father's help. I explained the idea and gave some suggestions, and the mechanically inclined grandfather of Darby hit the ground running. After just a couple days of measuring and wood-working, we now have a contraption with which Darby can conduct her experiment. Below are a photo and video of it in action.
Darby will do the actual experimenting. She will load the device and pull the string to release the bat probably dozens of times. She will measure the distance of each hit ball, and she will do the math (average distance per ball) before writing-up her conclusions.
You might think it would all end there, but then she has to present her results orally AND via a tri-fold presentation board with photos, diagrams, etc.
Monday, July 11, 2005
Tearing up the track
Darby's end-of-season party for softball was tonight, at the new Incredible Pizza (link is not to the OKC site, but you get the point), which is basically a steroid-injected Chuck-E-Cheese meets SpeedZone. It's housed within an old WalMart building, so it's quite huge. For eight bucks you get an all-you-can-eat buffet and five bucks on a game card to play games or play mini golf or ride go-carts, or ride bumper cars, or bowl, or I'm not sure what else because the place was so huge... Anyway, the kids had a blast, as if they couldn't in such a place.
After they ate dinner I couldn't keep them in the party room to save my life. They (ALL the kids, not just mine) burst out of the there and headed for the game/ride area faster than I could keep up. When I first reached the game room, I couldn't find either child. While I did finally find Darby clamouring to the ticket-yielding games (she's into winning those "valuable prizes" like gross fake teeth), I still couldn't find Shelby at first.
Then I saw a bunch of parents gathered by the go-cart bleachers and I asked if any of them had seen Shelby. They pointed inside the go-cart raceway, where I saw that several of the girls had gotten in line, and there was Shelby, also getting ready to race.
I should have had someone take a picture of my jaw-dropped face, because I couldn't believe it. If it weren't too late I would have gone after her, because I thought for sure she'd freak out with all those other cars out there. But to my surprise she did quite well. She didn't crash once and handled the track and car like she'd done it before many times (she seemed way more focused than what is typical for her). I was amazed, considering how often she crashes when biking or skating. One of the parents suggested she had found her niche as the next Danica Patrick. I think that would give me a heart attack before the age of 40.
We were there close to three hours, which was far too long if you ask me, and of course the girls didn't want to leave. It is a pretty neat place, though I'm not sure I'd want to have a party there, as it is just so chaotic with all those kids running around (seriously, picture a WalMart entirely filled with kids running around in all directions, in many cases with food in their hands).
In fact, the one thing I really didn't like too much about the place was that they didn't stamp kids' and parents' hands with matching invisible ink patterns like the Chuck-E-Cheese does to make sure kids don't leave with the wrong adults. As much as I hate to admit it, there were a couple times when I just flat couldn't find my children in that huge place, and they would NOT stick with me (and couldn't/wouldn't hear me when I yelled for them it was so loud in there). I get very anxious about places that aren't child-tracking-friendly. Though I will say that the place was crawling with security personnel (both rented and local police) and there were security cameras everywhere. While I would never want it real-world tested, I'm sure they're prepared (or hope they are anyway) for counter-abduction scenarios.
After they ate dinner I couldn't keep them in the party room to save my life. They (ALL the kids, not just mine) burst out of the there and headed for the game/ride area faster than I could keep up. When I first reached the game room, I couldn't find either child. While I did finally find Darby clamouring to the ticket-yielding games (she's into winning those "valuable prizes" like gross fake teeth), I still couldn't find Shelby at first.
Then I saw a bunch of parents gathered by the go-cart bleachers and I asked if any of them had seen Shelby. They pointed inside the go-cart raceway, where I saw that several of the girls had gotten in line, and there was Shelby, also getting ready to race.
I should have had someone take a picture of my jaw-dropped face, because I couldn't believe it. If it weren't too late I would have gone after her, because I thought for sure she'd freak out with all those other cars out there. But to my surprise she did quite well. She didn't crash once and handled the track and car like she'd done it before many times (she seemed way more focused than what is typical for her). I was amazed, considering how often she crashes when biking or skating. One of the parents suggested she had found her niche as the next Danica Patrick. I think that would give me a heart attack before the age of 40.
We were there close to three hours, which was far too long if you ask me, and of course the girls didn't want to leave. It is a pretty neat place, though I'm not sure I'd want to have a party there, as it is just so chaotic with all those kids running around (seriously, picture a WalMart entirely filled with kids running around in all directions, in many cases with food in their hands).
In fact, the one thing I really didn't like too much about the place was that they didn't stamp kids' and parents' hands with matching invisible ink patterns like the Chuck-E-Cheese does to make sure kids don't leave with the wrong adults. As much as I hate to admit it, there were a couple times when I just flat couldn't find my children in that huge place, and they would NOT stick with me (and couldn't/wouldn't hear me when I yelled for them it was so loud in there). I get very anxious about places that aren't child-tracking-friendly. Though I will say that the place was crawling with security personnel (both rented and local police) and there were security cameras everywhere. While I would never want it real-world tested, I'm sure they're prepared (or hope they are anyway) for counter-abduction scenarios.
Thursday, April 14, 2005
Eating chalk
Darby had an excellent game tonight, and the team had what I would call their first quality win of the season (i.e. we won it vs. the other team losing it). Darby had two singles and a run scored, and she had a couple good plays in the field. I can't really think of any glaring mistakes she made.
Well, maybe just one. I'm pretty sure you're not supposed to eat the chalk that marks the foul line, but Darby got herself a nice taste of it. She would have had two singles and two runs scored, but after her first hit (which was really a single that Darby stretched into a triple due to bad throws), as she rounded third for home, the ball came in and she had to turn back for third. In doing so, she lost her footing and did a face-plant into the chalk-line. Below is a video clip. I stopped recording right after she fell, but she basically came into the dugout crying and the ENTIRE front of her uniform was covered with dirt and chalk (she later said she had dirt in her throat). I gave her a big hug for doing so well out there and coaxed her through walking it off while I reminded her of my similar dirt-eating experience during the Fall season, which got her smiling a bit.
We have another game tomorrow, our first of the weekend tournament games, but it's going to keep us away from the Oklahoma RedHawks home opener. If we can get out of there at a decent time, we may still try to catch part of the RedHawks game, especially since there are fireworks afterwards and Shelby can't get enough of the fireworks.
Well, maybe just one. I'm pretty sure you're not supposed to eat the chalk that marks the foul line, but Darby got herself a nice taste of it. She would have had two singles and two runs scored, but after her first hit (which was really a single that Darby stretched into a triple due to bad throws), as she rounded third for home, the ball came in and she had to turn back for third. In doing so, she lost her footing and did a face-plant into the chalk-line. Below is a video clip. I stopped recording right after she fell, but she basically came into the dugout crying and the ENTIRE front of her uniform was covered with dirt and chalk (she later said she had dirt in her throat). I gave her a big hug for doing so well out there and coaxed her through walking it off while I reminded her of my similar dirt-eating experience during the Fall season, which got her smiling a bit.
We have another game tomorrow, our first of the weekend tournament games, but it's going to keep us away from the Oklahoma RedHawks home opener. If we can get out of there at a decent time, we may still try to catch part of the RedHawks game, especially since there are fireworks afterwards and Shelby can't get enough of the fireworks.
Labels: Darby, softball, video
Saturday, March 12, 2005
Wired for Sword Fighting
Shelby had her first fencing tournament this morning. It was in Tulsa, so we got up early and headed up there with plenty of time to spare once we got there (though not without trouble on the way back). Shelby was pretty excited about the tournament all week, right up until she was facing her first opponent. There was only one other kid there that was Shelby's size, so she was pretty handily defeated by the clearly more seasoned fencers. By the time she faced the kid her size, she was pretty discouraged. She fought hard in what I think had to be the longest bout of the tournament (~10 minutes... usually they're around three or four minutes), but she still lost. She lost all six of her bouts, but I think she got some valuable experience and will do better next time.
I also posted some photos in the album. I was very fascinated by the way the suits and swords get wired-up for scoring.
I also posted some photos in the album. I was very fascinated by the way the suits and swords get wired-up for scoring.
Labels: fencing, pictures, Shelby, video
Thursday, March 10, 2005
If only she read the title
Darby had a school musical tonight. It was called Father Knows Best. She did well, though she said she was very nervous the whole time. She's not one for the spotlight. Here's a clip from the show.
Shelby had her last fencing lesson before her tournament in Tulsa this weekend. She won one of her two bouts. We'll see how it goes on Saturday.
Shelby had her last fencing lesson before her tournament in Tulsa this weekend. She won one of her two bouts. We'll see how it goes on Saturday.
Labels: Darby, fencing, school, Shelby, video
Sunday, January 16, 2005
Communion prep
We did some first communion dress shopping today.
Update
Even though that is the dress she says she wanted in the video, it is not the dress we ended up getting. Personally, I like the final selection.
Update
Even though that is the dress she says she wanted in the video, it is not the dress we ended up getting. Personally, I like the final selection.
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Principally intended for use by our friends and families, our news blog is sometimes a record of our memorable family moments, sometimes a place for me to rant about something or other (usually inconsequential), and periodically I simply wax satirical for no apparent reason. By reading these accounts, you agree not to be offended, and not to use this information against us in any way, including for legal prosecution, because for all you know, it could all be made up. :-)
