Nature's Miracle: Dishwashers

Dishwashing Cam
Originally uploaded by CameronMagee

I'm learning to respect and appreciate the simple things in life. Here in the dorms, certain things remind you, Toto, "There's no place like home".

Dishwashers: what a great idea. Who invented these things? Joel Houghton  I just spent every bit of 20mins washing: a few forks, and a skillet. OK, it was a little more than that, but who cares, it took FOREVER.

Last night was me and Aubrey's 24-month (2-year, for you math majors) anniversary. I decided to finally cook that breakfast that I had always promised her I would cook for her, someday. Well, last night, was that day, night, I think, whatever. I set out to cook her the best breakfast she'd ever had. Of course, she's the product of the Elliott Household, and with Mrs. Stephanie behind the stove, I don't stand a chance.

the Tools of the Trade
Originally uploaded by CameronMagee

I scrambled eggs in my electric skillet, and microwaved pretty much everything else. It's a dorm room, what's a kid, err... man, to do?

The dishes slept dirty last night, but this afternoon was their time. I carried them down the hall, to this kitchen sink area on the floor. I swear, it took my 2mins for each spoon, fork and knife down there. Holy cow. Of course, I had all the necessary tools of the trade, but still. I'm used to rinsing, and then poppin' dirty dishes in the dishwasher. Not here. DANG. I have a new respect for dishwashers. To the students from the uh... Old School, hat's off. You guys survived your childhoods with no dishwasher. I wouldn't have made it. I would have "bottoms-up" the dawn, and called it quits, right there.

uFeature: OBU Flute Choir

YouTube mini Black Logo
Originally uploaded by CameronMagee

It's another uFeature, again, from across the ravine. It seems like most of my YouTube content has been traveling over from OBU's campus lately. hmm... Welp, here it is. Aubrey's Flute Choir gave a concert Monday night, and I made the journey (undercover, of course). Aubrey played beautifully, as always, and there was a guest appearance percussionist. The lighting is a little dark, so he may look a little creepy, but it's only Mr. Hesse.

Poor Rainier: Part II

Master Lock
Originally uploaded by CameronMagee

I was driving home two weeks ago, on my way to shoot the BHS vs. Heritage game, and run FOH Audio for FBC Bentonville. Remember? My brother in the front seat, and we're cruisin' down the highway.

We're driving behind a pickup truck, pulling a trailer. There was a lock on the trailer latch. The lock was open, and dangerously dangling.

The trailer dude hits a bump. The padlock decides to leave it's happy home, attached to the trailer, and drop to the pavement. WHEW! At least it dropped to the pavement instead of coming up towards my.... Now, at this point in the story, I'd like to point out a new discovery in the laws of Physics: PADLOCKS BOUNCE. So, the padlock that HAD been on it's way to the pavement is NOW on it's way to my windshield. It drops again, Praise the LORD, but not back to the pavement, it drops to my hood. This, of course, leaves a new dent and scratch atop my previously dent-and-scratch-less car hood.

At least it didn't shatter our windshield at 74mph. Praise the LORD.

So, let's review. My poor Rainier, who doesn't deserve any of this treatment, has now been...

1.) slammed by a hit-and-run lunatic in the parking lot
2.) dented by a bounce-and-fly padlock on the I-40.

Poor Rainier: Part I

my 2004 Buick Rainier V8
Originally uploaded by CameronMagee

I am blessed to have as nice of a car as I have. I drive a silver Buick Rainier CXL V8, and have driven it since my 16th birthday. The car is awesome. Everyone that rides in my car comments on how smooth of a ride it is, and how good it smells. I pride myself on my car, I love it.

About a month into school down here at Henderson State, in Arkadelphia, AR, my car got hit. I was parked in the dorm parking lot, and someone backed into my car. Not too bad of damage really, but then they drove off. A hit and run. I didn't see it happen, and I have no idea who did it. I got an official police report, and submitted it to insurance. I would be able to finally get it fixed sometime this week, after 3 weeks of driving a scratched-up Rainier.

The damage wasn't too deep. My body shop Buddy said he can take the bumper off, re-paint it, and we'll be done. I can't wait to get my car back to perfect condition.

Breaking: Shooting on UCA Campus

University of Central Arkansas
Originally uploaded by CameronMagee

There was a shooting tonight on the University of Central Arkansas campus, nearby, in Conway, AR.

It happened less than 6hrs ago, so the news coverage is very sketchy right now. We do know a few concrete facts. At least student is dead. The campus is on full lockdown right now.

I just spoke with a friend of mine on-campus there at Conway. His information was also sketchy, because of the lockdown. He is stuck in his friends' room, and when I tried to open the door to return to his room, a police officer stopped him, asking him to close the door and remain in the room. Here's the basic rundown of what he was able to provide:

OK. My man was right next to the shooting. He was "inside the building" when he "heard BOOM BOOM BOOM" and when he looked outside, there was "A guy, dead, with blood everywhere". He watched the shooter go into "Arkansas Hall". My witness is farely certain that "this was a drive-by".

And, NEW RELATIVE INFORMATION.
He has the idea that "This was a deliberate action, but not a deliberate target". The "guy, dead," was in his Oral Communications class, however my witness did not know him personally. My witness did not believe it to be so much gang related, as in, gang targeting gang. He believed it to be more of a direct action, a statement, using an innocent individual as their microphone of broadcast.

Please pray for the campus of UCA. Classes are cancelled for Monday. By the time you will be reading this, a major news network will most likely have picked up the story, giving us a crystal-clear look into what exactly happened. For now, this is all we've got.

I've got two friends on campus there at UCA. One is in Ft. Smith tonight for a choir event, the other is our source.

please,
Pray for UCA.