Bark In The Park

Tonight was the annual Bark in the Park at the local Minor League Ballpark. It was sponsored by Lara's employer, Metzger animal hospital. People are encouraged to bring their dogs to the park and watch the State College Spikes play. Many pet related business's have booths and Cooper got lots of free treats including ice cream. Since Metzger's is the main sponser we got free tickets and got to go to VIP box seats. The best thing about the box seats wasn't the view of the game but all the free food! They had wings, burgers, pork BBQ and bunches of appetizers, desserts, and drinks.

Here's Lara and Cooper enjoying the "cheap" seats before we head up to the box seats at the start of the game.

Lara and her friend Meg posing.

Some of the Metzger crew watching the game.

Mike and his Pug.
We could have taken Luna but she isn't much of a fan of sitting in one place for more than a few seconds. Don't feel too bad for her though. I took her on a 4 mile run at Fisherman's Paradise before we went and she got to swim and chase ground hogs to her heart's content.

Surprisingly enough the Spikes even won the game (they always have a losing record). We had a great time and look forward to going again next year with baby. In baby news, Lara is a little over 20 weeks along (halfway). We have our next ultrasound Tuesday and would be able to tell the sex of the baby but have decided to wait until birth. Lara is definitely starting to show and makes quite the adorable pregnant woman. I am told the baby should be around seven inches long and Lara has started feeling him/her move. One of the first definite baby movements was at the Wild and Scenic Film Festival we went to last Thursday. We can't wait for the ultrasound.

Off topic but since I mentioned it above....The film festival was really good. Some of the films were documentaries and some were short fiction movies. Topics dealt with kayaking, road development, dam construction, mining and hiking the backcountry. The most interesting snippet of information was that the furthest point from any road in the lower 48 states is found within Yellowstone National Park. I was surprised to hear 20 miles is the furthest you can get from a road in the lower 48 (and actually it was quite close to a marked trail).

The Darkroom Lives!!!

I acquired all the pieces for a successful darkroom almost a year ago. It was the equipment owned by Ken Gaydos my former high school art teacher. It was the same equipment that I used while taking photography courses in high school. Ken was sick with cancer and unable to use the equipment. He wanted it to go to a good home and I gladly volunteered.

Unfortunately Ken past away in January of 2008. He was an amazing teacher that went above and beyond what his job required of him. I still have a sketch that I turned in as a homework assignment after class had started (it was due at the start). He wrote on it, "Great Job, Late - F". He always expected the best and taught with dedication and enthusiasm. If I become half the teacher he was, I will be a success.

For the longest time I hesitated to set up all the equipment because Lara and I were unsure if we would be in the area much longer. However, when I found a new advisor I decided to run the water to the sink and the electric to the lights, fan, and enlargers. For whatever reason it has sat that way for a few months. That is until tonight!!! I finally mixed up my developer, stop, and fix and started developing. It was so enjoyable. For those of you from Lakeview High it is like a step back in time. I have the same enlargers (one of which has graffitied Cam '99 on the bottom!!!), the same lights, and the same sink. For those that don't know, Cam is still one of my best friends that I graduated with in 1999.

Mr. Gaydos supplied me with a lifetime of chemicals, so feel free to stop by and do some developing!