Trick or Treat
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Kidologist.com: Karl Bastian’s Personal Site and Blog
Archive for October, 2008
Have a Beer, on Me!
(I figured that title would grab the attention of my readers!) You have got to read this parable that clearly explains the US tax code, and what Obama is planning to do with his “tax cut for 95% of Americans,” 40% of which do not pay any income tax.
But first, the story:
A brilliant explanation of our tax system using actual percentages, the impact of a tax cut, and the public reaction that everyone should be able to understand.
Suppose that every day, ten men go out for beer and the bill for all ten comes to $100. If they paid their bill the way we pay our taxes, it would go something like this:
The first four men (the poorest) would pay nothing.
The fifth would pay $1.
The sixth would pay $3.
The seventh would pay $7.
The eighth would pay $12.
The ninth would pay $18.
The tenth man (the richest) would pay $59.So, that’s what they decided to do. The ten men drank in the bar every day and seemed quite happy with the arrangement, until one day, the owner threw them a curve. ‘Since you are all such good customers,’ he said, ‘I’m going to reduce the cost of your daily beer by $20. ‘Drinks for the ten now cost just $80.
The group still wanted to pay their bill the way we pay our taxes, so the first four men were unaffected. They would still drink for free. But what about the other six men - the paying customers? How could they divide the $20 windfall so that everyone would get his ‘fair share’?
They realized that $20 divided by six is $3.33. But if they subtracted that from everybody’s share, then the fifth man and the sixth man would each end up being paid to drink his beer. So, the bar owner suggested that it would be fair to reduce each man’s bill by roughly the same amount, and he proceeded to work out the amounts each should pay.
And so -
The fifth man, like the first four, now paid nothing (100% savings).
The sixth now paid $2 instead of $3 (33%savings).
The seventh now pay $5 instead of $7 (28%savings).
The eighth now paid $9 instead of $12 (25% savings).
The ninth now paid $14 instead of $18 ( 22% savings).
The tenth now paid $49 instead of $59 (16% savings).Each of the six was better off than before. And the first four continued to drink for free. But once outside the restaurant, the men began to compare their savings.
‘I only got a dollar out of the $20,’declared the sixth man. He pointed to the tenth man,’ but he got $10!’
‘Yeah, that’s right,’ exclaimed the fifth man. ‘I only saved a dollar,
too. It’s unfair that he got ten times more than I!’‘That’s true!!’ shouted the seventh man. ‘Why should he get $10 back when I got only two? The wealthy get all the breaks!’
‘Wait a minute,’ yelled the first four men in unison. ‘We didn’t get
anything at all. The system exploits the poor!’The nine men surrounded the tenth and beat him up. The next night the tenth man didn’t show up for drinks, so the nine sat down and had beers without him. But when it came time to pay the bill, they discovered something important. They didn’t have enough money between all of them for even half of the bill!
And that, boys and girls, journalists and college professors, is how our tax system works. The people who pay the highest taxes get the most benefit from a tax reduction. Tax them too much, attack them for being wealthy, and they just may not show up anymore. In fact, they might start drinking overseas where the atmosphere is somewhat friendlier.
David R. Kamerschen, Ph.D.
Professor of Economics
University of GeorgiaFor those who understand, no explanation is needed. For those who do not, or will not understand, no explanation is possible.
(only read on if you promise to engage your mind, not your emotions, please.)
I am amazed at how many people are for Obama IF they understand his position on taxes and what he will do to our economy with a most-likely liberal Congress and House. It will be the first time in over 40 years that the White House and Congress/House will be controlled by the same party, and the anti-business / pro-high taxes / bigger government party. His rhetoric not only doesn’t match his record (never once voting for a tax cut and 94 times for a tax increase or against a tax cut) but his math doesn’t add up, or results in socialism. Again, for those willing to look beyond the eloquent rhetoric and look at the man’s real record, writing and the philosophies of those who he names as his influences and mentors in his extremely short political carreer.
FACTS:
- Obama will effectively raise taxes on all Americans (except those not paying any) when he allows the Bush tax cuts to expire. He can say he didn’t raise taxes, but that’s like a fireman refusing to turn on the hose saying he didn’t burn the house down. Obama can raise taxes by doing nothing.
- 40% of Americans pay no income tax. A “tax credit” to them is a hand out or welfare check, essentially buying future voters, as to reverse that would be nearly politically impossible.
- The bottom 50% of Americans pay only 2.9% of the federal tax burden. The top 10% pay 70% of the tax burden. We already have redistribution of wealth - more will only hurt our economy more.
- The government does not create jobs. (Other than federal employees, but the tax payers pay 100% of all their salaries, benefits and retirement.) “Evil” businesses and corporations create jobs. The more the government takes from companies, the less jobs they can create and the government takes in less money, and then they take more, and the downward spiral is devastating to the economy. Companies exist to make more money and every dime they get to keep is spent growing the company which results in new jobs and… more income for the government as a result.
- Every single time taxes are lowered, economic growth results. The Bush tax cuts brought in unprecedented income to the federal government. Record cash into the government cophers!
- The deficit was not created by the Bush tax cuts, it was created by Republicans and Demoncrats spending MORE than taxes brought it.
- Bush’s greatest failure was not the tax cuts, it was his inability (or willingness) to curb spending. Out of control federal spending on shaky credit created our current government fiscal crisis. Lower taxes actually brings in more money to the government. Democrats do not raise taxes so much as to get more income, but as a means of control and vote collection.
- Raising taxes is the WORST POSSIBLE THING for our nation and economy. The BEST THING IS NO NEW TAXES and CONTROLLING SPENDING. I only hear one candidate and VP talking about less taxes and less spending.
There is a lot to like about Obama - but his economic plans for our country are disasterous. Imagine if you ran your home the way Obama wants to run the country. The government can try to “bail out” others, but who bails out or “rescues” the governemnt when it goes awry? YOU. The taxpayer.
You now work from January into July just for all the taxes you pay, income tax, state taxes, property taxes, sales taxes and taxes included in the products you buy and services you use. And Obama wants you to pay even more. Your “fair share.”
Anyone who votes for him can’t complain later when the tax man comes and the economy suffers - your vote is surrendering your wallet to more government control and more of your hard earned money going into the sink hole of the US government.
A vote for McCain/Palin isn’t the solution to everything - but it is the best way to hold the greed of the federal government and keep more taxes at bay for at least four more years.
Please vote, and vote Republican.
Sincerely, your fellow tax paying American.
(Click image to see full size)
Another Day at the Zoo
The annual pass to Brookfield Zoo has turned out to be a good investment. Free parking. Free admission. Free soda. (good on the wallet, not so much on the waist!) Free shuttle ride. Free shows. Too bad it takes about $20 in gasoline for us to get there and back!
Of course, we saw all kinds of animals! (Took the ones above from the tram!) I enjoy taking pictures of the animals - I do not enjoy smelling them!
However, it is not the animals that Luke enjoys the most. Oh, sure, he likes them. He’ll look at them when we point, and can even identify several by name. But there are other “creatures” on display at the Zoo that he will run to! And he’ll spend more time with each of these “animals” studying them, than he will on anything with fur or wings or hooves. Yup, you guessed it, the Cars on display from various dealerships.
Oh, yes. The cars. When we said we are going to the Zoo today, Luke’s answer is, “See Cars?” But our favorite thing about the Zoo is not the animals or the cars… it is being in a safe place where Luke can run around and enjoy a rare form of freedom to lead us around for a change, and for me, it is a wonderful opportunity for my hobby - “Luke Photo Journalism.” Here are some of my favorites from today. (Thanks for indulging me!)
Luke enjoying the playground. It’s a tunnel!
Luke behind bars… “I’m innocent!”
Luke, the fashion model.
Luke, the old fashioned greeting card.
Eager to get on the carousel.
Around and around with Dad.
Proof that I take pictures of my wife too!
It was a great day hanging out with the family. One of my good friends, Alan Root, said recently at Kid U, “Every day God gives us a gift - he gives us today. That is why it is called the Present.” It was a good reminder to live in the moment and enjoy TODAY. As Jesus said, “Tomorrow will take care of itself.”
Today was a present.
Kid U, Brought To You By…
People often ask how we are able to provide such an excellent conference at such affordable rates. Kidology is known for exceeding expectations because our conference registration fees are always very low considering the quality of the trainers, the exhibitors, meals and performers.
Our Sponsors make it possible to provide a top-notch event at an affordable price. Some contribute financially, some donate their services, all deserve our thanks! And we don’t accept just any sponsor - all our sponsors are by invitation because they are the best at what they do.
We are very grateful for our Kid U 2008 Sponsors!
LEARN MORE ABOUT OUR SPONSORS AND VISIT THEIR WEBSITES!
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DiscipleLand
You can easily customize DiscipleLand Bible curriculum to use anywhere, anytime! |
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Visit the official DiscipleLand website for more information…
DiscipleLand.com |
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Kidz Blitz!
Kidz Blitz is synonymous with high-energy children’s ministry and crosses all major denominational lines as it continues to expand its unique approach to family events and children’s ministry curriculum across America. |
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Visit the official Kidz Blitz! website for more information…
KidzBlitz.com |
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Uncle Charlie and Upward Bound Ministries
Having served in local church youth ministry for 21 years, in 1997 Charlie created Upward Bound Ministries (Lutz, FL) in 1997 as a way to reach children with high-energy, upbeat music. His aim is to lift up the name of Christ so that men, women, and children will be drawn to Him and experience the joy that Christ brings into our lives! He is a worship leader at Idlewood Baptist Church in Tampa, FL, where he attends with his wife Tammy, and his two sons, Andrew and Matt. |
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Visit the official Uncle Charle website for more information…
UncleCharlie.com |
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Scripture Candy
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Visit the official Scripture Candy website for more information…
ScriptureCandy.com |
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Harvest Publications
Harvest also carries thousands of books and Bibles in stock and is the publisher of Adventure Club — a reproducible midweek program for kids ages 4 years old through 6th grade. |
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Visit the official Harvest Publications website for more information…
HarvestBooks.org |
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Harvest is one of the largest distributors of Sunday school and VBS curriculum in the country. Quantity discounts, free shipping and quick service are just some of the benefits of their curriculum service.
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Speed Stacks
Using the Speed Stacks StackMat ® , stackers time themselves for personal bests in the 3-3-3, 3-6-3 or Cycle stack. Head-to-head relays are also a fun and exciting component of sport stacking. Speed Stacks, Inc., based in Colorado, is a family-owned business passionate about sport stacking and how it benefits kids of all ages improving hand-eye coordination, reaction time and focus while promoting good sportsmanship and teamwork. Stack Fast! |
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Visit the official Speed Stacks website for more information…
SpeedStacks.com |
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God Rocks!
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Visit the official God Rocks! website for more information…
GodRocks.ca |
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National Center for Biblical Parenting
They also help churches develop parenting ministries. Live seminars, video curriculum, books, audio CDs, and free email parenting tips are all available for individual use and to use in ministry. |
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Visit the official National Center for Biblcal Parenting website
for more information… BiblicalParenting.org |
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Awana
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Visit the official Awana website for more information…
Awana.org |
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One Way Street
They are dedicated to helping teachers and ministers spread the Gospel by providing quality Christian resources. |
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Visit the official One Way Street website for more information…
OneWayStreet.com |
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Timbuktoons
We also do illustration, graphic design (including logos), car detailing, catering, landscaping, Weddings and Bar Mitzvahs. (Just kidding about the last 5… unless it’s a slow month.) Timbuktoons has been around since December 2004. We’re developing some properties to pitch for children’s TV series and we have some pretty fun online shorts in the works as well. Our vision is to pursue God, assist ministries with discipleship and influence culture thru creative media. We intend to remain a small to medium sized animation studio with a tight-nit and well-qualified team. |
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Visit the official Timbuktoons website for more information…
Timbuktoons.com |
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KidMo
KidMo’s curriculum and entertainment properties are produced through its parent company Orbit Church, the premiere provider of media-driven content to the church. KidMo released its first DVD series, KidMo with Johnny Rogers, in 2003. It has become the fastest growing elementary age church curriculum product. This year, the company launched Lil’ K, a DVD-driven program for church preschool ministries. |
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Visit the official KidMo website for more information…
KidMo.com |
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Stars of Christmas
Bring a high level of teacher/child interaction and the ease of DVD teaching to your ministry with this unique curriculum. Large Group lesson segments are provided on DVD, making lesson set-up simple. However, the teacher sets up and interacts with kids between each section, while integrated, age-appropriate Small Group segments help kids process the key concepts of the lessons with adult volunteers. |
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Visit the official Stars of Christmas website for more information…
Stars of Christmas at WillowCreek.com |
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The best way to say “THANK YOU” to our sponsors is to give them your business - I’m sure a few of these sponsors offer just what you are looking for! Check ‘em out!
Brian Dollar at the Dollar Store
My buddy Todd McKeever twittered that he was having lunch with Brian Dollar, a guy that many know as the creator of the awesome High Voltage Kids Ministry resources available on Kidology.org. I then text messaged Todd to tell Brian “Hi” from me and suggested they visit a Dollar Store. (Yes, my humor is that lame.) But soon I got a picture sent from Todd’s iPhone that cracked me up:
Brian Dollar at a Dollar Store!
Everything he creates is totally awesome - from cool game music to countdowns and transitions to PowerPoint games to Kids Church curriculum. This picture made my day, so I just had to share it, and while I’m at it, encourage you to check out the cool stuff Brian cranks out that will be a great asset to your ministry to kids!
I love the way the Internet, Twitter and cell phones can connect friends all over the country, in real time. THAT is the power of Twitter and connecting electronically. Just another reason why I Twitter.
Help Us Plan the Next Kid U!
Whether you were at Kid U this month or not WE’D LIKE YOUR INPUT in evaluating this conference and planning for what we’ll do in the future.
IF YOU WERE THERE we’d like to know what you liked, what we can do better, and what topics/speakers you’d like to hear in the future.
IF YOU WEREN’T THERE we’d still like to get your input as we plan what training events we are going to plan in 2009 and 2010.
This is your chance to influence our future conferences, so please, let us hear from you!
The Music of Kid U
Kid U was blessed to have Alan Root (www.alanroot.com) as our worship leader. His gentle spirit, quick “punny” humor, and obvious heart for God and kids (and those who serve them) just leaked all over the place! He is one of those worship leaders who have that rare ability to be very entertaining, and yet, keep it not about them, but about the Lord. We sang, we laughed, we even did the ‘Baptist Side-step’ and worshiped.
I’ve known of Alan and seen him at CPC’s for as long as I’ve been going, but I had never gotten the chance to get to know him. I was lucky enough to get to do some of the shuttling to hotel/airport and got to know him a lot better and look forward to doing so more in the future.
Alan is a recently added new vendor on Kidology.org making available his preteen Bible studies, and of course his music. Check out all the Alan Root Stuff on Kidology!
I consider it a privilege to count Alan as a friend!
AND THEN, after two days of Live Leadership Labs - it was time to ROCK, God Rocks that is! (www.GodRocks.ca)
The team from God Rocks ALWAYS puts on an AMAZING SHOW that completely blows away even the highest expectations in the audience. They prove that fun and tight choreography and dancing can be engaging, entertaining and completely wholesome at the same time. I especially love how much of their music is straight from the Bible - word for word - teaching kids to sing the very words of God. As their name suggests, if WE don’t praise God, the rocks will have to. Well, as long as God Rocks is around, real rocks are sure to stay silent, because few praise God with as much energy and enthusiasm as these young people!
Not only does God Rocks produce awesome music, they offer two years of Bible curriculum which can be found in the God Rocks section of the Kidology.org Store. We are also very excited about the awesome summer VBS they launched last summer - and you can do it this summer at your church!
BE SURE to check out my detailed Kidology Spotlight Ministry Resource Report on God Rocks!
Let me end by thanking Uncle Charlie for his generous support of Kid U! Due to his ongoing recovery from a near fatal auto accident he was unable to sponsor in person and come to serve as our worship leader, but instead of asking for a refund on his sponsorship he donated it and made it possible for us to have Alan Root as his replacement. Alan did a great job but we missed having Uncle Charlie with us, and ask you to join us in praying for his ongoing recovery. You can help support him by shopping the TWO PAGES of awesome music and videos available in the Uncle Charlie section of our online store.
Thanks to Uncle Charlie, Alan Root and God Rocks… the music at Kid U this year was amazing!
An aMAZEing Day!
Today was the third awesome day in a row. After Touch a Truck on Saturday, the Chicago Marathon on Sunday, and a birthday outing for my little sister today - tomorrow is looking to be quite drab when I get back to normal work life. But a good three days it was, and a great way to start my week.
It was a day of thrills for little Luke today!
We went to the Richardson Family Farm which boasts the World’s Largest Corn Maze!
An Aerial View, though it wasn’t so green today!
They have an observation tower so you can see the maze from quite high!
Luke climbed and counted all ninty stairs by himself. (climbed that is, I counted for him)
He enjoyed looking down as we got up high.
Once at the top, the view was pretty awesome!
Here is Luke with cousin Tricia. Mom didn’t want to risk her life in tall wooden structure, though she sent her husband and son just fine!
While the view wasn’t a high as when Luke did the Ludington Lighthouse, it was pretty high up there. I had fun spotting people far away with my telephoto lense and yelling to those below us, “You’re going the wrong way!”
Then it was time to head into the maze ourselves!
They provide you with a map that shows 24 places you are supposed to find.
Luke actually caught on and would say, “There another sign, Daddy!”
Mommy and Luke taking an illegal short cut! (Well, they were following Daddy)
Luke with the Birthday Girl!
They had a few bridges where you could get your head above the corn.
Eventually we got out! Luke surprised me when we went down the 50 foot giant tube slide by saying “AGAIN!” at the end. Usually he is content to do things like that once.
We went several times. At the end of the day, he asked to go one more time, and this time at the top he said, “Go alone.” I about fell over. So I let him go alone with me right behind. I know it will be all too soon that he beats me to the top of the hill and is down before I’ve climbed the stairs.
Luke was a good sport as Mom and Dad posed him around the place at various “photo ops”
He’s becoming quite the little poser with his scrunched up silly smile. We even took some pictures in the maze for our Christmas Letter with a tripod and timer, but you’ll have to wait to see those.
It was a great day with the family enjoying what’s left of warm fall weather. it’s gonna be hard tomorrow to get into a normal work day mode. But it was a fantastic weekend. It’s been awhile since I blogged three family events in three days! Thanks for letting me share them with you.
One Bro Runs, the Other Serves
(See my complete Chicago Marathon Gallery)
I’ve seen the Chicago Marathon out the windows of Moody Church for years, but this was my first time participating. No, not as a runner, but as an official volunteer! Why? Because my brother was running it as his first marathon and some friends from church were volunteering. I thought it would be cool to not just watch him run, but get to serve him and the other runners as well. It was a long but fulfilling day. I was up at 3:30 a.m. to begin my adventure! Check in downtown was at 5:30 a.m.
Me, Deb, Judd and Jason - friends from church.
Our job was to fill cups of water and then serve the runners at the first water station. Notice it is still dark out! We were set up by 7:00 a.m.
Here we are ready to serve! If that looks like a lot of water, it IS! over 1400 cups! Soon the runners would be arriving, and we were prepared! The race began at 8 a.m. Soon runners would be arriving!
WAVE! You are on TV!
First the bikes and wheel chairs went by. (more photos in gallery)
Then the elite running men.
Followed by the elite running women, who seemed to have more photographers for some reason.
And then the masses!
But finally MY BROTHER CAME BY! I was eager to get to hand him the water, but didn’t know when I’d see him. And I had to serve other runners too. I had my mini-video camera going and was hoping to get him coming, taking the water and passing, but he appeared just as I was grabbing another cup so I almost missed him, but I did get to give him water and catch this short video:
GIVING WATER TO MY BRO:
After he passed, I retired the camera just passed out water for over an hour - it is mind-numbing how many people ran by… over 40,000 runners one after another. I wondered if we’d have enough water, but as it turned out, we had MORE than enough!
In the 2007 marathon water ran out and it got serious for the runners. Volunteers were buying water in the stores to pass out… so this year (with Olympic aspirations no doubt) Chicago made sure there was plenty of water. Turns out, we only gave out the top level of cups as did all the other tables for two city blocks. What did they do with the extra water?
Watch this video to see:
Deb and Judd show how strong they are!
Now came the huge job of cleaning up more cups than runners in the race!
Official Trash Compactor of the Chicago Marathon!
Once we were all cleaned up (and that was a huge job) I was free to just be the official Jordan Bastian Photograher. So I hurried down a few blocks to get ahead of where all the runners I had served would be arriving around the 14th mile point. Now I was able to take more pictures. (see full gallery)
They came waving flags…
juggling… (there were two jugglers)
this guy had a cup on his head and my sister saw it still there 20 miles later!
George Washington must be in good shape!
But, of course, I was waiting to see my brother again. Let me just tell you, it is MENTALLY EXHAUSTING to be focusing on hundreds of people every minute looking for one person. I knew after the water station he was wearing a blue shirt… but so did a bunch of other guys! But finally, after about a 45 minute wait, I spotted him!
There he is, number 13572, and he hasn’t spotted me yet…
Then he sees me!
I was able to snap some shots as he zoomed by…
and then he was gone, back into the crowd. I studied the race map and figured out I could get to the finish line before him if I raced to Grant Park. It was a hike, but I got there well ahead of him and scoped out a place to spot him again.
I’d never SEEN so many bananas!
There was over a mile for the runners to walk after the finish line to cool off, filled with food and other stations related to the race. But as I got near the finish line I saw:
Thousands of medals just waiting to hang around the neck of the runners.
And then it hit me! I could actually present my brother with his medal!
By the way, having the official volunteer hat, jacket and volunteer badge got me access inside tall fences where the runners and volunteers were. Everyone else was packed outside trying to peer in. I enjoyed volunteering at the water station, but I had no idea how much it would help the rest of the day to have the “official” gear on! It streamlined my walk and I could go anywhere for pictures… and even to greet my brother and give him his medal.
But first, I had to spot him in this vast crowd. You can’t imagine how hard it is to look for someone in this throng! My text message updates sad he was estimated to arrive in the 3:55 crowd, but I knew it might be longer as he slowed toward the end. It was getting REALLY hot out, but then, maybe he’d get a burst at the end and come in early? So I ended up watching the crowd intently from 3:40 (in case he was early) to 4:30 when he arrived. I was starting to wonder if I’d missed him, which could have happened, but I didn’t want to give up, and I hadn’t gotten a text message yet that he was done. So I stood on a table and studied the 20,000+ faces that came before him… but FINALLY I saw him! I quickly jumped down, gave my camera to a complete stranger already recording a video and asked them to record me presenting Jordan with his medal, and here it is:
I know YouTube quality isn’t that great, you can download it here. (QT 15mb)
Here is the Champ reunited with his wife, Kelly. He chose Flat Top Grill as his celebration restaurant and Kelly’s family and our sister Melissa’s family and I enjoyed a post-marathon meal. I think we were as exhausted as him, well, ok, almost.
WARNING: Sentimental content ahead.
I can’t end this post without saying how proud I am of my little brother. While he’s grown to be much stronger than me, he’ll always be my little brother. I was bursting with pride today to see how much my little bald buddy has grown. I was thirteen when two days after my birthday I got what is still the greatest birthday present I ever got: a brother. While much of his childhood Jordan can’t remember (just as we all lose much of it) it feels like I can remember all of it. Jordan was my best friend and only being a dad now comes close to how much I enjoyed our relationship during his childhood.
While his childhood is over, I love him as much now as then and am so proud of how he has grown up. When he was a little boy, he would often point to me and say to people, “He’s my Big Brother” as though Big Brother was a title of honor. Today, I couldn’t be prouder to instead point at him and say to people, “He’s my Little Brother.”
Yup, that’s my little brother… Marathon Man!
Chicago Marathon Live
I’m volunteering at the Chicago Marathon because my little brother is running it for the first time. Trying to live Twitted updates but having some connection problems. (Seems downtown Chicago has even worse AT&T coverage than the burbs!)
But try following at: http://www.twitter.com/kidologist
Here is one picture of the hundreds of cups of water we filled. Hopefully I’ll get to hand one to my brother! We’ll see, there are over 40,000 runners!
