Big Brothers and Big Sisters of Atlanta 2003 - 2004:

Michael Azogu (Little) and Joshua Gough (Big)

Josh: Here is the Big Brothers and Big Sisters web site at http://www.bbbsatl.org. You can go to that web site to find out more information about the program and how you can join, as well as find out about special ceremonies and events and activities that they have planned for the volunteers andy Littles.

Michael: And that is the Stone Mountain web site that tells you stuff about Stone Mountain and all the events, and stuff like that. Josh: We went there shortly after we started spending time together. We went to see the laser show. I think that was the first time you had seen that, Michael, correct? Michael: Yep. Josh: Did you like it? Michael: Yeah.

Josh: Michael taught me how to play a card game called "Speed" and he is very speedy at beating me at that game as well.

Michael: And, shortly after that, I taught him how to play chess. Josh: And, now I'm pretty good at beating him at chess. Michael: You helped Bruno beat me. Josh: Oh, yeah, I helped his friend.

Michael: Oh, that's the Andy Roddick web site. He is the number one player in the world.

Josh: We saw him play against Brian Vahaly at a special exhibition between the two sponsored by Big Brothers and Big Sisters. And, in that Michael was able to win a couple of tennis racket covers. Michael: Yep.

Michael: That's me trying to play the guitar, which I don't know. I tried to convince my mom to get me lessons during the school year, but she will only pay for violin lessons. Darn it. Darn it all.

Josh: Here is a picture of the Atlanta Thrashers' web site. I was going to go to a game between the Thrashers and I can't remember who, but I was on call for work at that time, and I had to stay late to attend to some issues.

Josh: Here is my friend Kevin and his friend Heather. They ended up taking Michael to the game instead and I think they had a good time. Michael: Yep.

Josh: Here's the Geocaching.com web site. GeoCaching is a game, like a treasure hunt game that you can play with a GPS device.

Josh: You can see a GPS device here. I have an E-Trex Legend. My mom does a lot of this out in Colorado and my grandfather here in Georgia does as well.

Josh: And, so we went around Dunwoody and found one called "Somewhere in Dunwoody." Michael, ... Michael: And that's me. We had found the Geocache. It was just a little Pez dispenser found in a newspaper rack.

Josh: Yeah, it was a little Pez dispenser with a sheet of paper hidden inside, which is what they call a log sheet. You have to sign the sheet. Michael: You don't have to. Josh: No, you don't have to, but it's a good thing to do. And, there's me.

Josh: And, then we wanted to join the two images together so we used the GIMP image editing program.

Josh: And, I taught Michael how to do some image editing, and we ended up with this picture. Michael: Fusion!

Michael: That was just a bunch of flowers. Josh: At the Big Trees Forest Preserve off of Roswell Road. We went there to do another cache and it turned out that it wasn't really a physical cache. It was just a location marker. There was a sign that was messed up. Michael: Yeah, it was messed up. Josh: So, they turned it around and did the correct engraving on the other side, but the clue in the cache was that the person who wrote it was glad that Fulton county at least tried to save some money by reusing their mistakes instead of getting a completely new piece of wood for the sign.

Josh: That's just a Dogwood blossom.

Josh: And, a nice photo of the empty branches from a tree in the fall.

Michael: That's Josh's cousin's dog, Napolean! And, there's just a bunch of pictures of him. Josh: Ha ha ha, we lost all the other pictures of him. I can't remember what I did with them.

Josh: And, here is the is the announcement on the Big Brothers web site about the Annual Big and Little Picnic.

Michael: Yeah, and that is me and my friends. We are just posing, with our prizes. Josh: Who was there? You're in the middle? Michael: Yeah, I"m in the middle. The one on the left is Brandon and the one the right is my friend Nathan. Josh: And they both have Big Brothers as well? Michael: Yep.

Josh: And, here's me and Michael. Michael: I'm holding my prize. The white ice cream thingamabob!

Josh: Here is another.

Michael: And, there is me wearing one of my favorite shirts. It has a dragon on a car.

Josh: There's me wearing what looks like a dirty hat.

Josh: We did the same thing. We sliced the image and made a composite image here.

Josh: Here is Michael's mom making a very good purchase suggestion, I thought, a horn for ... Michael: No you didn't!

Josh: Oh, I didn't? ... for his new mountain bike. Michael: Which is on Josh's car.

Josh: And, here is a photo that Michael took down at Sope Creek. Michael: I thought that was the Chattahoochee? Josh: Yeah, Sope Creek is the name of the trail. It's the Chattahoochee River.

Josh: Here is another photo.

Michael: And, then that's me walking up the mountain because the mountain was too steep for me to actually ride up. Josh: You know, it looks like you're riding. You could have said you were riding, and nobody would have questioned you. Michael: I was tired, and I didn't feel like riding up that thing.

Josh: Here is the middle of the trail. Michael: It was evil. It's too narrow.

Josh: After we rode around, some of my friends joined us. This is Fahami, Hammad, Nebil, and Raheem, and then Michael on the far right. Michael: There's me. See, now you see the car on my shirt. And, we're all soaking wet. Josh: Yeah, we got rained on that day. We didn't pay too much attention to the forecast. Michael: What do you mean "we"? Josh: Me. Michael: Yeah, you. Josh: And, everybody else except you. But, you didn't either. Michael: So, I don't watch the news. I shouldn't have to.

Josh: Here's me after the hike.

Josh: And, here's Michael after we went to get some dinner. Michael: I'm wet. And, I'm wearing a different shirt.

Josh: And, here we are today recording this video. We hope you enjoyed it. And, if you're thinking about joining the program as a volunteer I would encourage you to do so. Michael, ... Michael: Yeah, do it, or you'll be bored. Josh: For who? A kid, or ... ? Michael: Yeah, the kid. See, all the kids are suffering because they have no one to talk to. So, do it. Josh: You've enjoyed it? Michael: Yeah. Josh: Me too.

Josh: Here is some more information on the big Brothers and big sisters web site that shows you exactly what you need to do to become involved with the program, including a list of just basic things you can do with your little once you become part of program. It's just simple things. It's really just about spending time the Little giving them someone who will listen to them and just get to know them as a friend. You can visit the site and see much more information and learn all about the process and what it takes to become involved. This is the form that shows what information is required of you and what steps they take to verify that you are a suitable applicant to the program such as your background check and there are links that are periodically updated with events and orientations. And, there are some Frequently Asked Questions which cover: Exactly what mentoring is The benefits How you become involved How much time is required Whether there is a cost to you (there is not) Addresses some fears for people who feel like they don't have a lot of experience with children Provides information about training events And, who the Littles are I'll just scroll up an down on this and let you read if you'd like. But, I encourage you to go to http://www.bbbsatl.org/ to find out more information. And if you are not in Atlanta, you can go to http://www.bbbsa.org/ to find out about orgranizations in your area.