Ghost Farm

Sandhill Cranes

Oregon 1860 U-Haul

The Astoria Bridge

Minnesota Air-Conditioning

Skraper Taper

Photo of the Week

DULCES NIKON EN JAPÓN

Nikon Direct ha puesto a la venta en Japón cajas de dulces de pasta de frijol rojo con mermelada y castañas con la marca Nikon.

Via:  http://dc.watch.impress.co.jp/docs/news/20110715_460916.html

Dan Ryan View Of Chicago

Tangerine Windmill

Green Eyed Lady

Let's Go For A Ride

Wizard Island

Lookout Post

When's a game not a game? When the other team doesn't show up

OK, the headline isn't entirely correct, because in this particular case, the other team eventually did show up. But three hours after the scheduled game time? For a night game? Add to the situation that this was occurring on a pretty hot, humid and generally uncomfortable day. Would you have stayed to the bitter end? I thought not.

I actually did make it through two hours of waiting on July 16, the night the Indiana Tornados semipro football team was scheduled to play the Memphis Blast in a Gridiron Developmental Football League game at Park Tudor School on the Far Northside of Indianapolis, the Tornados' home field, at 7 p.m. The Memphis team bus, for unknown reasons -- took wrong turns, got a late start, whatever -- didn't show up at game time. They called the Indy club and provided their location, but come 9 p.m., there still was no Blast team. I left.

I understand the team finally arrived at 9:35 p.m., and that the game didn't get under way until 10 p.m. They played with a non-stop clock and called it game after three quarters with the Tornados ahead, 14-0.

These images were taken from about 6:15 to 9 p.m., while the home team warmed up -- and tried everything from doing interviews on the P.A. system with the coach and other selected subjects, asking a local singer to sing a song and suggesting that the Tornado cheerleaders entertain the crowd with a few routines.

Above and next two below: The Tornados warming up before game time, but before everyone in the stadium knew about the long wait ahead of them. 

Above, the expression on the Tornados' Ji'mi Agnew (34), talking to teammate Luther Baker, sort of told the story. At this point, the waiting game had begun. Below, Agnew takes a more relaxed seat on the artificial turf, possibly realizing this was going to last a lot longer than he first imagined.

Above: Head coach Jerry Senter obliges a request for an interview to kill time during the wait.

Above: Carson Johnson (25) looks like he's had about enough of this second round of loosening up while waiting for the Blitz to arrive. 

Above: Senter giving instructions to a young man during the wait.

Above and next two below:  Checking mobile devices and chatting were among the few options spectators had. These people were under the shade of large trees sprinkled along a hill overlooking the west side of the field.

Above and next three below: The team cheerleaders took the field to run through some of their routines. The setting sun was casting wonderful golden highlights on them at this point, so I felt compelled to take advantage of it with some pictures.

Above: Still more stretching ... during the wait.

Above: Dan Cavallini, the Tornados' official photographer (yellow shirt), chats up a couple of the cheerleaders around 9 p.m., moments before everyone learned from the P.A. announcer that the Blitz team bus was still a ways away from Indianapolis and that game time wouldn't start for at least another hour.

Thrill Stealin' Four Wheelin'

It's Just Around The Bend Ten Million Years

Picking Up Bobbie Sue For The Dance

Where Is Your Hope Today?

There's a storm out there folks! Are you watching the news these days? Feeling the tension yet? Are you trusting in our government to fix the problems that have grasped our nation?

I have learned that no matter what political persuasion you are from that there is no party of politicians that will fix this world.
They are corrupt in general. They have sold us out. Please, ... I am not saying that every last one them are evil but I am saying that evil isn't divided along a single party line. I tend to trust none of them ... because it is so difficult to distinguish between the good and the corrupt. You have to be on your guard watching these people in congress. So, I DO believe we need to remain active calling out those who are corrupt on either side that we CAN identify. Where are the real leaders out there?

The problems we are facing as a nation and a world are so large. I often steer clear of the news media for months because of the overwhelming feeling of anxiety they seem to be forcing on us. Do you feel the pressure?

I tend to pick up a news network that is far more positive when I feel the heat from the world. I could quote many scriptures from the Bible that speak of the things that are watching take place today. The Bible speaks directly of the coming world turmoil but it also speaks of the ultimate triumph of the Lord.

I have had all the negative news I can handle for today so I want to encourage you with a passage of scripture that is usually only mentioned around Christmas found in Isaiah 9:6,7:

For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and peace there will be no end.

One day the corruption will be over and Jesus will reign as King of kings and Lord of lords. That's the government I trust!

Where is your hope today? Is it in your 401k, your bank account, real estate investments, your portfolio? Where is your anchor when your world is getting rocked? Do you trust in yourself and your power or do you lean on His everlasting arms?

As for me:
My hope is built on nothing less
than Jesus’ blood and righteousness.
I dare not trust the sweetest frame,
but wholly trust in Jesus’ Name.
On Christ the solid Rock I stand,
All other ground is sinking sand;
All other ground is sinking sand.

When darkness seems to hide His face,
I rest on His unchanging grace.
In every high and stormy gale,
My anchor holds within the veil.
On Christ the solid Rock I stand,
All other ground is sinking sand;
All other ground is sinking sand.

God bless you this weekend.
NikonSniper Steve

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