Amantes Sunt Amentes

Screamin Stephen

2010-03-06T06:51:00.000-08:00

We have not posted many things with Stephen in yet, so here you go. Steve finally has his first tooth and has started crawling within the last week. He is already getting into EVERYTHING!

Cycling

2010-03-05T06:43:00.000-08:00

I was driving to Louisville with my wife so that she could attend a conference, and I started to think about how many times I had driven this way before. I always enjoyed the road trips through Cincinnati and down to Louisville, at least when racing I never had to go through Cincinnati during rush hour. I could not believe how many different landmarks that I remembered, and how many of the little roads and towns I had raced in throughout the years. The trip down 71 I can still point out the location of my first road race, and would know how to get there by memory, when racing my best friend was a co-pilot and a road atlas. I can also remember the exact exits of some small mom & pop motels, and local bar restaurants that we stopped at maybe only once.

I miss these things, not because I left them behind, but because they were a part of who I was and am. It is almost as if the roads and hills talk to me. I can hear and see them tease me as I go and pick up my kids from grandma and grandpa's house. When I started cycling in the hills of Sugar Grove the roads and hills were not kind. They told me that I did not belong here. They forced me off the bike by pushing the roads to the sky and shaping the wind so that it was always in my face, all the while laughing as I was forced to walk. They turned and curved thier backs constantly to make me want to turn back. They tried to send me away by flattening my tires on regular occasions, sometimes both at once, and again laughing as I was forced to walk. They would throw animals at me trying to knock me down, and they especially liked to used dogs at the tops of the hills, it was not bad enough to make me walk they had to send the dogs after me also.

It took many years of hard work and perseverance, but finally I was able to get the hill's and road's respect. They allowed me to climb almost to the point to touch the blue sky, they began to shelter me from the winds, and allowed me to move along the roads nearly to the point of flying, they allowed me to see the obstacles in the road to keep my tires from going flat, and they kept the wild at bay but visible just as a reminder.

As time past I quit visiting the roads and hills, for which they were not happy. They steepened the hills and made the winds colder, and then they told me that I would have to start all over to win their respect again, and that I do not really belong here anymore because it is not my time. They said that some day they would allow me to bring others to try to earn their respect, but that all the things that once greeted me would also greet them. You can always come if you want but it will not be easy.

Driving Test

2009-11-07T07:15:00.000-08:00

This morning at 8:00AM Brandon passed his driving test. He is now legally able to drive on the roads without supervision. The question is, when will we let him take is first solo trip to the mall or Wendys? Maybe next year.

Candy Hot!

2009-11-07T07:02:00.000-08:00

This is a video of Michaela enjoying some of her Holloween candy. Daddy is so mean!

2009-10-31T07:02:00.000-07:00

Fall is finally here; I love the fall, but I am somewhat impartial because it means that the winter is coming. I have spent almost all of this week jump starting my car because I need a new battery and I have not had time to stop and get one.

I finally purchased a battery on my way home from work Thursday. After getting the battery replaced, in Lancaster I had to drive to Sugar Grove to pick up the kids. When I drove into the driveway at my parents I saw this giant pink thing on the front porch. When I walked up to the porch I found that it was Michaela holding a plastic pumpkin, and dressed in a giant, Barby pink shark outfit, ready for trick-or-treat. I had not even thought about taking her, but since she was dressed I left Stephen with my Mom and took Michaela down to Sugar Grove.

At first she did not know what to think. All the kids in the costumes, and people were putting things into her plastic pumpkin. After about a quarter mile of walking it dawned on her what they were putting into her pumpkin. It was "CANDY!" To keep her moving I gave her a sucker so that she could eat and walk. After realizing she was getting candy she was walking up to the houses with much more excitement and vigor. Each house she would stop and look into her pumpkin to see what was added.

We had walked the full stretch of Sugar Grove, skipping the back streets. I was ready to go and picked her up to walk to the car. She said "No, daddy," and pointed down the back streets; she wanted more. We made it to about fifteen more houses before she was done, and I had to carry her to the car. She had walked about a mile and a quarter, all in the name of candy. I placed her in her car seat and she immediately fell asleep. When we got home I placed her on the couch still wearing her costume.

Blog posting Kirwan Institute-co-written by Brandon

2009-09-28T10:38:00.000-07:00

http://www.kirwaninstitute.blogspot.com/

Well as a part of Michele's research responsibilities at the Kirwan Institute, she has to make periodic blog posts. She decided to ask for Brandon's assistance and it was published. Thanks Poocher!

Monday, September 28, 2009

And a child (a teenager) shall lead them
By Michele Battle-Fisher, Graduate Research Associate at the Kirwan Institute

With the hectic schedules experienced in our home, dinner time in our home is time to talk. Often, we talk about the matters of our days. But one recent evening, our teenage son Brandon began talking about a speech on health care as a natural right that he had to present in his AP Government class. He began by mentioning that in speaking he found strength in his words. He did not feel that his written word was as strong or well understood. I thought that I would give his spoken words another platform. Discourse is power (a la Foucault). I wanted to listen.In the words of Brandon Battle:
I think that health care is a natural right that needs to be provided by the government. Americans spent $2.2 trillion dollars on health care in 2007 which averages out to be about $7400 per individual. This is two times the amount spent in developed countries. Americans will end up spending more on health care than on housing and food. This will mean that families could have to choose between paying health care and buying food for their families. I don’t know all the details of the health care reform but health care hinders the American people and is a necessary investment for the country. (Reference: http://www.whitehouse.gov/issues/health_care/)

Now Federal Reserve Chairman Bernanke states the recession is subsiding. But as long as health statuses continue to “recess”, this isn’t close to being resolved.
0 comments.

Football anyone

2009-09-13T12:35:00.000-07:00

With my school schedule there was only one game that I would be able to make. This is Austins last year in Junior high, so I had to make it to this game. Of course I brought a camera. Like me in junior high, he is small but mighty!

2009-09-13T10:08:00.000-07:00

I like this picture so I thought that I would add it to the blog.

Someone is 2!

2009-09-13T09:16:00.000-07:00

She is now two! She has her own sense of style, contagious smile, super dance moves, never ending energy, and a extreme love of pancakes.
Happy Birthday Bubba!

2009-08-27T15:54:00.000-07:00

As of today!

Brandon has started school. His classes include physics (switching to astronomy because physics had only seniors), psychology, Spanish 3, AP English, AP Government, Econ, Algebra 2, and lunch. So far he enjoys school.
The squirrels are all gone from the attic, now we can begin work on other projects. I would really like to tackle another bedroom this winter. Stephen needs a bedroom!
I have only scheduled 1 class for fall quarter. I have been putting it off but I am finally going to take my Junior comp rhetoric class. Once this class is done I will have 199 more years to go.
Stephen has only be waking me once a night. Michaela also wakes me up once a night. Michele wakes me up twice a night to go get Stephen or Michaela.
Michaela has actually used the potty, and also learned how to use the garden hose, much to her Mommy's chagrin. Michele told me that I am turning her into a heathen, but I think that it is funny and I like to see her laugh and smile.
Michele's classes this fall will include Structural Equation Modeling and Grant Writing. Fun Fun Fun!
Fisher family photos will be in this weekend. Should have something posted soon.
Battle family reunion this weekend, I will have to post some pictures.
Summertime Video 2009 coming soon, featuring video of EJ's birthday pool party!!

Summer is almost over

2009-08-13T16:29:00.000-07:00

I have not posted for a while so I thought I would send out an update:

Brandon began his drivers ed. He has passed the classroom portion and will soon begin the driving.
Michaela has learned a new trick. She has found that if she eats one of my earplugs from work that it magically appears in her diaper. Not funny!
Stephen smiled, and what a grand smile it was.
I started lifting weights and running with the dog at 5am. Now I really hurt and the bike path is very dark and scary at that time of the morning. I guess I will stick to the streets and sidewalks.
Michele just had her hair "did", it is Fisher family portrait this weekend. I will post some as soon as I get them.
I cannot believe that my dad had more hair than I did when he was my age.

Bubba Montana

2009-07-31T16:26:00.000-07:00

Driving

2009-07-31T16:11:00.000-07:00

Monday Brandon begins his first day at driving school. The excitement begins. Hopefully we will be able to find him a sweet ride like I had when I turned 16.

Another Bedroom Mostly Finished

2009-07-31T15:53:00.000-07:00

Michaela has her own room! She slept in it for the first time this week, and actually stayed in the room the entire night. This is one of the smaller bedrooms in the house and is the one Brandon was in prior to finishing his other room. The first picture above was from when we were looking to buy the house. I have added more electrical outlets to the room, because there was only one, but I would like to add more along with additional lighting. I have a squirrel eviction to do in the attic before doing anymore electrical work in the attic. The bed and night stand in Michaela's room we actually picked up at a yard sale. They are probably from the 30's or 40's and needed a little refurbishing, but worked out great!

Rock Stars!

2009-07-26T07:29:00.000-07:00

The Battle brothers got together at Allen Chapel for a family photo. Very dapper says Michaela. PaPa!

I am finally a senior!

2009-07-23T17:37:00.000-07:00

I started school about two years ago, and now I am finally considered a senior. I have about 11-12 classes to go for graduation, so another 200 years and I should be finished.

Michaela wanted to say hi

2009-07-23T17:27:00.000-07:00

Michaela has learned to count!

Finally a room remodeled

2009-07-19T08:42:00.000-07:00

We finally have one bedroom remodeled. Now we can get one of the kids out of our room. Here are some pictures of the room when we purchased the house and also the newly remodeled room. We removed the carpet, grey painted paneling, curtains, and may other items. Drywall was installed on the ceiling and walls to replace the craced plaster, a much larger closet added(the old one could only have 4 or 5 items in it), new lighting, more outlets(the room had one), hickory hardwood floors. Before putting the new flooring, I cut a large hole in the floor and added more lighting and a ceiling fan to the living room below. I figured that this would be the only chance to somewhat easily accomplish.

New member to the family

2009-07-19T08:39:00.000-07:00

Stephen Thomas Fisher

8lbs 8oz

20.4"

June 22, 2009 2:07am

2009-02-15T08:15:00.000-08:00

Michaela's favoite song.

2009-02-15T07:27:00.000-08:00

Brandon was not as happy with this game because of some missed opportunities, but he does seem to be getting the hang of playing at the varsity level.

IT"S A MALE RUGRAT a'COMIN!

2009-02-14T11:46:00.000-08:00

We are having a boy...Stephen Thomas Fisher named after grandpas...He is due the beginning of July but we will schedule the Csection at end of June. Great, more testostrone in the house...

Michele's newest journal article at Yale

2009-02-14T11:44:00.000-08:00

If you have a second, check out my latest journal article...It is only posted online at The Yale Journal of Humanities in Medicine...It is at this link....
http://yjhm.yale.edu/essays/mbattle-fisher20090208.htm

Radio Telecast of Brandon's varsity action 2-6-09

2009-02-14T11:36:00.000-08:00

He had a great defensive game on this night. Start listening to the radio show...Go to http://www.wloh.net/20082009hsbasketball.html. Click on Fisher-Liberty Union 2-6-09 files. There are 2. Start at 30 min mark on the 1st file; he starts play around that time. Brandon's action continues on the second file.
GO IRISH!

Brandon's First Varsity Points

2009-02-14T11:32:00.000-08:00

It was a while in coming, but Brandon has scored his first varsity points. When he made the first 3-point goal you could tell that he could hardly contain himself. Currently Brandon has been moved up from the reserve team and plays fulltime varsity. He is not a starter, but is getting minutes and some great experience.

Honor Roll

2008-11-09T16:47:00.000-08:00

Brandon worked very hard this grading period. He is not quite sure how he did it but he managed to make the honor roll at Fisher. He is very quick to point out that his 3.785 is at the very bottom of the list. Mom points out that the vast majority of his classmates were not on the list, and as you know Mom is always right.

What does this mean?

2008-11-09T16:41:00.001-08:00

I am not sure what this all means, but it seems as if we may find out in the next 9 months. Michele was so happy she about knocked me down.

Ben-Gal Mania sweeps the nation! Deanna on TV

2008-08-28T06:28:00.000-07:00

Dee is on TV!

Got word that the series "The Making of a BenGal" will premiere on FoxSports Net Ohio on Monday September 22nd at 8pm. ALL FOUR half hour showswill premiere that night ... back to back to back to back. (don't ask mewhy!)2 straight hours of BenGal TV!! plus they will air sporadically during theseason8pm - 1st show: prelims and finals8:30pm - 2nd show: letter delivery and first practice9:00pm - 3rd show: calendar shoot9:30m - 4th show: 1st home game
D doesn't know if it's going to air outside of Ohio, but if you would like to request a copy for let her know....

Michaela knows her ABC's

2008-08-20T17:01:00.000-07:00

Summertime 2008

2008-08-18T14:56:00.000-07:00

Uncle Leonard's Bday bash

2008-07-03T05:29:00.000-07:00

It was great to see Uncle Shorty so happy on his 65th Bday. Thanks to Elaine, Danita, Tonya and Norm for a great day. Michaela appreciated getting her groove on. B loved hangin out with his cuz...I am trying to teach Michaela the "pearl"! Family should get together more often...

Michele is a Buckeye again!

2008-07-03T05:25:00.000-07:00

Michele has transferred to Ohio State's PHD in Public Health program where she completed her MPH. She is returning to her roots as a health person again...She has accepted a GRA with the Kirwin Institute of Race and Ethnicity where she will work on minority health policy issues. In addition, she is teaching at Capital University as an adjunct (Columbus, OH) as well. Gotta love three jobs....Thanks to everyone's support...

Chris' work has been honored nationally

2008-06-06T05:52:00.000-07:00

XLM has been selected as one of the 100 Best New Products by Professional Builder magazine. The 100 Best New Products Award is to call special attention to the most significant product introductions each year. The award spotlights innovation and recognizes and rewards manufacturers who are investing in research and development. Editors’ choices are based upon the following criteria:
· Technological advances
· Significant product improvement
· New product lines
· Increased product lines
· Nationwide availability

Congrats to Chris and the XLM team...

Brandon received an academic award

2008-05-26T08:16:00.001-07:00

Brandon was honored with a Computer Science excellence award at Fisher's Award night. Freshman year is unbelievably over...

Where's Johnny and Joey? a mystery...

2008-04-17T09:35:00.001-07:00

I swear that I saw cuz Joey and Johnny in the background in the telecast of Aunt Kathy's performance for the Pope..anyone that I missed? HMMMMM

"Crank That" video with the Crumb Crushers...

2008-04-04T18:25:00.000-07:00

Catch this Travis Barker remix of "Crank That" directed by Chris...it is a riot...starring Josh, Taylor, and EJ...co-starring Dr. Becca...Spread the love

My girl Liza Johnson is blowing up! Her film selected by Sundance Lab

2008-03-30T09:50:00.001-07:00

RETURN selected for Sundance Screenwriter's Lab and Cinemart 2008- This film speaks to the experience of emotional and economic decay felt by some living in Appalachia...She has returned to her roots to give salience to a voice not often heard in conventional media.

SOUTH OF TEN screenings----San Francisco: Yerba Buena Center for the Arts, March 28------- North Adams: Mass Moca, April 10

Kathleen performing at Carnegie April 13- spread the word

2008-03-28T22:22:00.000-07:00

Columbia Artists Management LLC Presents
Kathleen Battle in Recital
Stern Auditorium / Perelman StageSunday, April 13, 2008 at 2 PM
Tickets from $29 - $100
Student and Senior Discount Tickets Available at the Box Office
Program Details
Kathleen Battle, Soprano Ted Taylor, Piano
Works by Schubert, Liszt, Mendelssohn, and spiritual selections

CCAD Spring Art Sale- support student artists

2008-03-28T06:39:00.000-07:00

Columbus College of Art & Design Annual Spring Student Art Sale
Saturday April 19th Loanne Crane Center for DesignCorner of Cleveland and Long
Downtown Columbus 8:30am-10:00am $50 First Choice Admission10:00am-2:00pm $5 General Admission Parking is free
Paintings, prints, ceramics, glass, paper, photography, jewelry and more on sale from current and former CCAD students.

Mi gente! The Columbus Salsa Fest is comin'!

2008-03-28T06:35:00.000-07:00

***COLUMBUS SALSA FEST ***
Thursday April 24th ~ 27th

For lil Grady

2008-03-21T12:55:00.000-07:00

His legacy lives on in music. I think of Jeff Buckley's Hallelujah...Give it a listen someday...

Michaela's new foods

2008-03-21T08:48:00.000-07:00

We have just graduated Michaela up to baby food. She likes some and does not like others. See what she thinks of turkey gravy baby food.

Nice shot, Austin!

2008-03-21T08:44:00.000-07:00

Dave finished hunting and thought that he would have Austin unload his gun for him.