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Monday, August 10, 2009
The Adventure Begins
Naomi and I decided to take on an important project for the benefit of posterity. I have borrowed the old family videos from my parent's house and am now beginning to convert them to a digital format. This is just one of those priceless clips that makes all of the work involved worth it! WATCH THE VIDEO HERE.
Monday, April 13, 2009
Shooting at HFCC - my perspective
I think it will be therapeutic for me to write about my experience as well as informative to those who want to know the events as they really took place.
On Good Friday, April 10, 2009 around 12:30pm I was sitting in the Music Technology Lab at Henry Ford Community College (HFCC). I was thinking how nice it would be to leave at 1pm and get back home to where my family was visiting from Indiana. I had just printed off some sheet music of a piano solo from Final Fantasy VIII when I became aware of some noise and commotion outside of my door. There are often annoyances from immature students in the room next door so I paid it no mind. Then, I heard what sounded like a door being slammed (open or shut), and I stood up to walk over and tell these "punks" to stop messing around. Then I heard a sound that would freak anybody out - it was a girl frantically calling for help. "Help, please help me!" I raised my voice and said with as much authority as I could, "Hey, what's going on here?" as I rounded the corner from the lab door to the doorway of the classroom next door. This next part is a little blurry...
I saw a large black man straddling a petite black woman who was lying on her back on the floor. I don't know what I did exactly but I approached close enough to touch the man before I felt a strong prompting to leave the room quickly. I rushed out and around the corner of the hallway yelling for someone to "Call 911! Call security! A girl is getting raped!" I met another employee of the college and we went over to the Fine Arts building secretary because she was already on the phone to 911. This fellow employee and I then went back to the room where the assault/rape was taking place. He got a little bit closer to the room this time and clearly saw the man loading a full length shot gut, which then got fired into the floor. We ran back down the hallway and made more phone calls to both 911 and campus safety letting them know the guy had a gun and had fired it. Sometime during this there were at least two more shots fired that I can remember. I then went around to a different doorway to try and watch from a distance what was taking place, but by this time the door to the room where the assault and shots were happening was shut. While watching, an Arab couple with there young child (5 - 7 years old I think) came out of the hallway leading to the band room oblivious to what was happening. I yanked open the doors from where I was watching the scene and yelled to them to come to me now! Had they gone the other way they would have been walking toward the room. As it was they were only about 8 feet away from it. Meanwhile, the other college employee as well as two of his friends were going around the building, keeping people away from this dangerous area, and one of them even ran over to talk to campus safety directly who still had not showed up on the scene. At about 12:45 (or 15 minutes after everything started) an entire S.W.A.T. team showed up in the building and began barking orders at us. I showed them exactly which room/door to go to and tried to tell them that there was a class taking place in the choir room (but they didn't really listen to me). I later found out that the choir room class had already exited out one of the back doors because their teacher knew what was going on. One more shot was fired before we were evacuated from the building and sent over to a classroom in the Liberal Arts building. All of us who were witnesses in anyway had to write our personal accounts of what took place. There were only three of us who had seen anything at all; myself, the other employee, and one student. The rest of the people only heard the shots, or were in the building somewhere at the time of the occurence. I already talked about what I and the other employee had seen, but the student had actually seen the guy carrying the girl (who was passed out at the time) into the classroom. She was in the class that was being held in the choir room and told her teacher what she saw. From what I understand the teacher went over and talked to the guy who told him to "go get help." I know this teacher called 911 or security but other than that I don't know what happened or what this teacher actually saw. Obviously he did NOT notice a full length shot gun in the room or think anything like a murder was about to take place.
I was interviewed in detail by a police officer who had me draw a map of the crime scene, and walk him through everything I could remember. I don't know how long everything went on but I didn't get home until 4:30pm or so that afternoon.
I later learned that the girl who was killed was a theatre student named Asia and that the guy was a classmate of hers. Earlier that day I was writing a song while working in the lab and it had a simple yet beautiful melody to it. There was also a part of the song where the volume swells, and the melody turns a little tragic sounding. I cannot associate this song with anything but the events of that day and so I have decided to dedicate it to Asia, even though I did not know her. I am calling the song Asia in memory of her, and in honor of life and how precious it is.
Some would say it is ironic that she was killed on Good Friday, part of the Easter holiday which for Christians is all about victory over death. Did death win this time? Is life really so fragile that nothing can restore it again? I believe otherwise. I believe Asia was taken home to that God who gave her life, and that one day her loved ones that are still living will be able to see her again. I have encountered death in many different ways; the loss of my father-in-law to Lou Gehrig's Disease, the loss of my grandmother to old age, the loss of new life when my sister's baby was stillborn, the loss of what might have been when my own wife had multiple miscarriages before we were blessed with Arianna, but never has death been so unexpected, so riveting, so insane, so brutal as at this time. People tell me I did the right thing, that I most definitely should have followed that prompting to leave the room as quickly as I did. That doesn't stop me from thinking about the "what if's" and the "what else's". What if I had used my martial arts training and kneed the guy in the head? Would Asia still be alive? What else could I have done to prevent this from happening? I now realize that I and the other college employee were the last two people to see them both alive...
Asia, I'm sorry that I couldn't do anything to save your life. I'm sorry for your family and friends that this happened.
I have made a recording of the song I wrote and dedicated to Asia. It can be found on this blog under my music. Please share it and this post with anyone who you think may benefit from this more detailed account of what went on this day.
On Good Friday, April 10, 2009 around 12:30pm I was sitting in the Music Technology Lab at Henry Ford Community College (HFCC). I was thinking how nice it would be to leave at 1pm and get back home to where my family was visiting from Indiana. I had just printed off some sheet music of a piano solo from Final Fantasy VIII when I became aware of some noise and commotion outside of my door. There are often annoyances from immature students in the room next door so I paid it no mind. Then, I heard what sounded like a door being slammed (open or shut), and I stood up to walk over and tell these "punks" to stop messing around. Then I heard a sound that would freak anybody out - it was a girl frantically calling for help. "Help, please help me!" I raised my voice and said with as much authority as I could, "Hey, what's going on here?" as I rounded the corner from the lab door to the doorway of the classroom next door. This next part is a little blurry...
I saw a large black man straddling a petite black woman who was lying on her back on the floor. I don't know what I did exactly but I approached close enough to touch the man before I felt a strong prompting to leave the room quickly. I rushed out and around the corner of the hallway yelling for someone to "Call 911! Call security! A girl is getting raped!" I met another employee of the college and we went over to the Fine Arts building secretary because she was already on the phone to 911. This fellow employee and I then went back to the room where the assault/rape was taking place. He got a little bit closer to the room this time and clearly saw the man loading a full length shot gut, which then got fired into the floor. We ran back down the hallway and made more phone calls to both 911 and campus safety letting them know the guy had a gun and had fired it. Sometime during this there were at least two more shots fired that I can remember. I then went around to a different doorway to try and watch from a distance what was taking place, but by this time the door to the room where the assault and shots were happening was shut. While watching, an Arab couple with there young child (5 - 7 years old I think) came out of the hallway leading to the band room oblivious to what was happening. I yanked open the doors from where I was watching the scene and yelled to them to come to me now! Had they gone the other way they would have been walking toward the room. As it was they were only about 8 feet away from it. Meanwhile, the other college employee as well as two of his friends were going around the building, keeping people away from this dangerous area, and one of them even ran over to talk to campus safety directly who still had not showed up on the scene. At about 12:45 (or 15 minutes after everything started) an entire S.W.A.T. team showed up in the building and began barking orders at us. I showed them exactly which room/door to go to and tried to tell them that there was a class taking place in the choir room (but they didn't really listen to me). I later found out that the choir room class had already exited out one of the back doors because their teacher knew what was going on. One more shot was fired before we were evacuated from the building and sent over to a classroom in the Liberal Arts building. All of us who were witnesses in anyway had to write our personal accounts of what took place. There were only three of us who had seen anything at all; myself, the other employee, and one student. The rest of the people only heard the shots, or were in the building somewhere at the time of the occurence. I already talked about what I and the other employee had seen, but the student had actually seen the guy carrying the girl (who was passed out at the time) into the classroom. She was in the class that was being held in the choir room and told her teacher what she saw. From what I understand the teacher went over and talked to the guy who told him to "go get help." I know this teacher called 911 or security but other than that I don't know what happened or what this teacher actually saw. Obviously he did NOT notice a full length shot gun in the room or think anything like a murder was about to take place.
I was interviewed in detail by a police officer who had me draw a map of the crime scene, and walk him through everything I could remember. I don't know how long everything went on but I didn't get home until 4:30pm or so that afternoon.
I later learned that the girl who was killed was a theatre student named Asia and that the guy was a classmate of hers. Earlier that day I was writing a song while working in the lab and it had a simple yet beautiful melody to it. There was also a part of the song where the volume swells, and the melody turns a little tragic sounding. I cannot associate this song with anything but the events of that day and so I have decided to dedicate it to Asia, even though I did not know her. I am calling the song Asia in memory of her, and in honor of life and how precious it is.
Some would say it is ironic that she was killed on Good Friday, part of the Easter holiday which for Christians is all about victory over death. Did death win this time? Is life really so fragile that nothing can restore it again? I believe otherwise. I believe Asia was taken home to that God who gave her life, and that one day her loved ones that are still living will be able to see her again. I have encountered death in many different ways; the loss of my father-in-law to Lou Gehrig's Disease, the loss of my grandmother to old age, the loss of new life when my sister's baby was stillborn, the loss of what might have been when my own wife had multiple miscarriages before we were blessed with Arianna, but never has death been so unexpected, so riveting, so insane, so brutal as at this time. People tell me I did the right thing, that I most definitely should have followed that prompting to leave the room as quickly as I did. That doesn't stop me from thinking about the "what if's" and the "what else's". What if I had used my martial arts training and kneed the guy in the head? Would Asia still be alive? What else could I have done to prevent this from happening? I now realize that I and the other college employee were the last two people to see them both alive...
Asia, I'm sorry that I couldn't do anything to save your life. I'm sorry for your family and friends that this happened.
I have made a recording of the song I wrote and dedicated to Asia. It can be found on this blog under my music. Please share it and this post with anyone who you think may benefit from this more detailed account of what went on this day.
Sunday, March 15, 2009
Tales from the Son-in-law
So I was just sitting there minding my own business when Connie asked me what I thought was a fairly harmless request: "Do you think you could help me pick out some new speakers for my computer?" Well, who doesn't like to feel needed, right? Sure, I'd find some good speakers for her, and I did. Only now I fear they might be just a little too good...
Feast your eyes on these "bad boys", or as they are officially called, the Logitech Z-2300 THX certified 2.1 speaker system with 200 watts of power. Connie said she wanted good sound quality, but also something she could crank up. Little did I know how much cranking up she was planning on doing.
Yesterday, the speakers arrived, I set them up, and had to leave for work without really hearing what they could do. When I got home from work Connie didn't even hear me coming into the house. How could she? She was blasting her youtube music videos so loud it didn't matter whether I was upstairs or downstairs - I could hear it just as well no matter what part of the house I was in. All I could think of - think of and chuckle - was how ironic the whole situation was. I mean she's the parental figure, and yet we're the ones having to tell her to turn down her music. This isn't one of the normal mother-in-law complaints most people vent about... I mean can I really, REALLY complain about this? Can I actually say, "too loud" to my daughter's grandma? That would just be so lame.
Next time, I'm going to find her some really nice headphones...
Sunday, March 8, 2009
"I Got Cookies!"
In order to understand this, you have to know that Arianna has been sick the last couple of days. Poor thing had a fever Thursday night and Friday, then started with vomiting and diarrhea Saturday morning. She has kept an awesome attitude throughout it all. Most of the time you wouldn't even know she's not feeling well, because she's such a cheerful, happy little thing.
Okay, so a few minutes ago we were all upstairs, including Mom, and Arianna decided to go on one of her usual little escapades down into Mom's area of the house. She's generally pretty good about these little adventures on her own; she mostly just likes to go say hi to the cats down there. After a minute or two of her being down there, we heard our door open, and her cheerful little voice shout up the stairs, "I got cookies!!" The cutest part was the way she said it; it was in the same tone that you would say "I've got pizza!" when entering a house full of hungry people. Sure enough, she had a little package of Oreos in hand, and was already munching away on one. Of course this isn't the snack of our choice while her tummy is so sensitive, but I couldn't find the heart to take it away from her when she found something to be SO happy about.
I think it's awesome how children at this age find such joy in the little things in life. They have so much to teach us, you know?
Wednesday, March 4, 2009
Blessed
I want to say thank you to everyone who took the time after my last post to share kind words and thoughts with me. Each of your sentiments meant a lot to me, and brought warmth to my heart. Thank you so much.
I hope I didn't sound like I was complaining in my last post. That wasn't my intention at all. I just have moments like those, where I miss Dad a lot, and I generally don't share them with anyone, but think it would be healthier for me to do so. The thing is, I think I've been trying to push my sadness of missing him away, and because of that I tend to just not talk about him at all, because when I talk about him those feelings of sadness generally become involved in some way and I don't want other people to think I'm wanting them to feel sorry for me. But that's NOT what I want to happen - I don't want to stop talking about him just because sometimes it hurts, and I'm afraid of what others will think. I want to remember him! And if that means I have to embrace those not-so-pleasant feelings of missing him as well, and people will have to see that, then so be it. So please know, if I do write or talk about missing him ever, I'm not trying to complain...I just don't want to forget...
The truth is, I feel incredibly blessed in my life. I love my family so much! I cannot imagine having better parents, or a closer connection as a family unit. Having Dad as my father and friend for the 24 years that I had him was worth it, even if it meant I had to lose him after that. During the last year of his life, Dad became almost angelic (and I'm not just saying that - there was honestly something very special that happened to him as he neared death). He demonstrated such amazing examples of unconditional love, faith, dedication, patience, strength, endurance, perseverence, humility and compassion. I am so grateful I was able to experience his presence in my life.
I hope I didn't sound like I was complaining in my last post. That wasn't my intention at all. I just have moments like those, where I miss Dad a lot, and I generally don't share them with anyone, but think it would be healthier for me to do so. The thing is, I think I've been trying to push my sadness of missing him away, and because of that I tend to just not talk about him at all, because when I talk about him those feelings of sadness generally become involved in some way and I don't want other people to think I'm wanting them to feel sorry for me. But that's NOT what I want to happen - I don't want to stop talking about him just because sometimes it hurts, and I'm afraid of what others will think. I want to remember him! And if that means I have to embrace those not-so-pleasant feelings of missing him as well, and people will have to see that, then so be it. So please know, if I do write or talk about missing him ever, I'm not trying to complain...I just don't want to forget...
The truth is, I feel incredibly blessed in my life. I love my family so much! I cannot imagine having better parents, or a closer connection as a family unit. Having Dad as my father and friend for the 24 years that I had him was worth it, even if it meant I had to lose him after that. During the last year of his life, Dad became almost angelic (and I'm not just saying that - there was honestly something very special that happened to him as he neared death). He demonstrated such amazing examples of unconditional love, faith, dedication, patience, strength, endurance, perseverence, humility and compassion. I am so grateful I was able to experience his presence in my life.
Here's the coolest blessing of all: We will all be together again! Just because I miss him now doesn't mean I will be missing him forever. We have been sealed together in the Holy Temple of God, and can be together for eternity. This time apart is just a short time... How incredible is that? I cannot imagine the JOY that will fill my whole being when we are all able to be together again! What a blessing it is to know that this is not the end of our family...
The Detroit Temple, where our family was sealed in March 2000
Our family the day we were sealed
Saturday, February 28, 2009
Grandpa Tim
The other day Arianna and I met up with some friends at the play area at the mall, and had fun playing. There were like a billion other kids there - it was pretty crazy. Of course I found myself watching everyone, as I am prone to doing (I noticed Arianna doing the same thing - she totally takes after me in this regard). The majority of the people there were mothers with their children, but there were also quite a few grandparents obviously enjoying a special day with their grandchildren.
I began to think, as I often do, of Dad, and what an awesome grandpa he would be to Arianna. There I was standing in the middle of all of that chaos, cherishing moments I was seeing between some random grandpa's and their lucky grandkids...noticing how one grandpa tenderly removed his grandson's jacket, and brought him into the play area, and how he watched him closely from a few feet away, ready to swoop in to help if help was needed. Complete strangers, yet I felt like walking up to that grandpa and giving him a hug, and thanking him for the love and care he was sharing with his little grandson...and telling him to treasure this time they have together.
It's not just missing Dad, I guess -- it's also missing my grandpa's. Dad's dad died when I was only 2, and Mom's dad died when I was 10, and I've really missed that special grandpa influence in my life. (I've honestly contemplated asking some certain awesome elderly grandpa-type men I know if maybe they would be willing to be my surrogate grandpa's. Pretty pathetic, I know...) It saddens me to know that Arianna has to miss that grandpa-ness in her life, too (though she does still have her awesome Grandpa Palmer).
I can remember many, many times when Dad would reminisce about his dad, getting all emotional and telling me how much he wished I could have known him, and how much he would have loved me. Now I totally know what he was feeling at those times. I wish so much that Arianna could know Dad, and have his amazing influence in her life, and feel his love for her. Seriously, he would be the most amazing grandpa ever (right along with Jeremy's dad, of course)!
Anyway, sorry for rambling so much... Those were just some of the thoughts and feelings that were going through me during those brief moments in the chaotic play area at the mall, while watching complete strangers...
We don't have a lot pictures of Dad scanned into the computer yet, but here are a couple...
I always get choked up when I look at this picture. 
I began to think, as I often do, of Dad, and what an awesome grandpa he would be to Arianna. There I was standing in the middle of all of that chaos, cherishing moments I was seeing between some random grandpa's and their lucky grandkids...noticing how one grandpa tenderly removed his grandson's jacket, and brought him into the play area, and how he watched him closely from a few feet away, ready to swoop in to help if help was needed. Complete strangers, yet I felt like walking up to that grandpa and giving him a hug, and thanking him for the love and care he was sharing with his little grandson...and telling him to treasure this time they have together.
It's not just missing Dad, I guess -- it's also missing my grandpa's. Dad's dad died when I was only 2, and Mom's dad died when I was 10, and I've really missed that special grandpa influence in my life. (I've honestly contemplated asking some certain awesome elderly grandpa-type men I know if maybe they would be willing to be my surrogate grandpa's. Pretty pathetic, I know...) It saddens me to know that Arianna has to miss that grandpa-ness in her life, too (though she does still have her awesome Grandpa Palmer).
I can remember many, many times when Dad would reminisce about his dad, getting all emotional and telling me how much he wished I could have known him, and how much he would have loved me. Now I totally know what he was feeling at those times. I wish so much that Arianna could know Dad, and have his amazing influence in her life, and feel his love for her. Seriously, he would be the most amazing grandpa ever (right along with Jeremy's dad, of course)!
Anyway, sorry for rambling so much... Those were just some of the thoughts and feelings that were going through me during those brief moments in the chaotic play area at the mall, while watching complete strangers...
We don't have a lot pictures of Dad scanned into the computer yet, but here are a couple...
I always get choked up when I look at this picture. It so clearly brings back the feeling of that moment, and
how much fun Dad and I always had together.
Arianna and Dad would have such fun being silly together!
This is the closest their earthly existences came to crossing.
And now that I've got myself all emotional, I suppose this is enough for one entry.
Monday, February 23, 2009
Luke Skywalker
So, yesterday before church, I was in the choir nursery with Arianna, and she was playing with the toys in the toy box. Well, she brought over a little figure of Luke Skywalker, and I said, "That's Luke Skywalker". And she said to me, "No, that's Uncle Andreas!" Pretty classic moment, I thought. She wasn't that far off, really...
Can you see the resemblance? 
Can you see the resemblance?
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