Hello, My Name is. . .

It's a new year and time to start a new novel. I have had a story idea kicking around in my head for months and I guess it is time to let it out. Now that involves meeting new characters. Usually I have a character in mind before I begin a book but this time the storyline came first so I need to get out and "shake hands" with some people to determine who is involved with this story.

Developing a character is a lot like meeting new people. On a cruise for instance, we sit down at a table for a meal and introduce ourselves to the others at the table. After that the conversation turns to where we live, how many kids/grandkids we have, professions, etc. As the cruise goes on, your table mates reveal more and more about their lives--interesting tidbits from their prior trips, tales of exciting experiences from their jobs, what they like to read and why, etc. You get the picture.

So I "met" this character yesterday. His name is Paul Carson and he's an air traffic controller. Now that's an interesting profession! I have lots of questions for him. So far I've found out he's married, has one daughter, grew up in Detroit, MI (but we'll forgive him for being from MI since he went to MSU not UM), and he has quite a story to tell about a time when his faith in God was tested. I'm excited to learn more.

Wordless Wednesday

2010 Tournament of Roses - A picture collage

The video below is a collage of many of the pictures we took during our trip to Pasadena. It begins with a picture of the Hyatt Century Plaza where we stayed and a picture of Archie Griffin, our Alumni Association president and of course our two-time Heisman Trophy winner.

We also toured two of the locations where the floats were being assembled and attended the Buckeye Bash at the Santa Monica Pier--along with an estimated 30,000 Buckeyes.

The morning of the Parade, we left our hotel at 4:30 a.m. (PST) and arrived at our seating area on Orange Blvd. about an hour later. We opted to get out of the bus and stroll down the boulevard where the floats were lined up for the start of the parade. It was a great opportunity to see all of them close up and talk with some of the folks who were in the parade. Not only that but we saw the diehards that had camped out all night in sleeping bags to get the best views (for free). Some had grills and were cooking breakfast!

Our seats for the parade were great although there were two floats that were ahead of our vantage point that we didn't get to see. "Sully" Sullenberger, the grand marshal passed by in a golf cart on his way to his decorated antique ride that was beyond us as well.

Still, it was quite a show only to be followed by a spectacular performance of the Buckeyes in the Rose Bowl stadium. It's always more fun when you win.

Put on some marching music (preferably the Buckeye Marching Band) sit back and enjoy the show!

Tournament of Roses - OSU Marching Band

Apparently there were some places in Ohio that did not get to view the OSU Marching Band during the broadcast of the Tournament of Roses Parade. Can you imagine?! Ohio TV stations going to commercial as the band approached the broadcast point!

For those who may have missed it. Here is what they looked like from our vantage point on Orange Blvd. just at the start of the parade. (Still assembling the float pictures and will have those up tomorrow, hopefully.)

2010 Rose Bowl

It's a busy time out here in Pasedena! We spent the day surveying some of the floats and last minute preparations for the Rose Bowl parade. While we were walking around, I also caught a glimpse of our Buckeyes arriving for their walk through the stadium. A great day! Looking forward to a great game! Go Bucks!

Enjoy the pictures. I'll tell you more another time.

Books for the Road - Stepping Into Sunlight

After several dramatic changes in her life including moving across county, a chaplain husband being deployed and having to be a single parent for a time, Penny Sullivan’s world crashes when she is the witness to a violent crime. Add to her list Post Traumatic Stress Syndrome and you have a story that is challenging and deftly presented by Sharon Hinck.

In Stepping Into Sunlight Hinck introduces you to a world of characters all dealing with life and its challenges in ways that are detrimental to their mental well-being. Hinck explores real responses to faith, fears, and fellowship when a person experiences extreme life-changing events. Her characters are well-developed and her storyline keeps you reading. Very well done .

Wordless Wednesday