Visual Data Guy

In Stoke on Trent, England, Dr. Michael S. (Mike) Ball is a senior lecturer at Staffordshire University in the Faculty of Arts, Media and Design. He specializes in visual presentation of qualitative data.

With Gregory W.H. Smith of the University of Salford, he wrote Analyzing Visual Data. A review in Journalism Quarterly includes: "A strength of the book is Chapter 2, which shows how content analysis can be applied to visual data. The authors use two studies of fashion to clearly demonstrate the six basic steps of quantitative content analysis and then provide a valuable explanation of the technique's shortcomings."

Spook Book

In the they-don't-want-you-to-know class, J. Michael Ball, L.L.I. (probably licensed legal investigator/private eye) is author of Where's What!. The $35 book has the subtitle Investigative Information Sources and tagline "City-County-State And Federal Records Sources--Financial-Private And Directory Sources-Including All Those Little Known Sources Of Information You Didn't Even Know Existed"

The promo material includes:

Unlike most source books that merely list the name and address of the public record, this book hands you both public and private sources of information you can use, tells you what can be gleaned from the information and covers how to go about accessing the information in a legal, "court-admissible" and correct manner. You'll use the Source Encyclopedia over and over in all of your investigations as you discover new information sources you likely didn't even know existed. Develop sources you can tap into in your investigations that you are likely missing which will enhance your investigations.

The 100-page, 8.5x11-inch how-to is from Thomas Investigative Publications.

Pro Leveler

In Austrialia, "Michael's skill in identifying strategies for satisfactory dispute resolution makes him a highly sought after litigation lawyer," according to his law firm, Allen Arthur Robinson. This Michael Ball is in Sydney, Australia.

He specializes in "often sensitive and long-term litigation." His writing includes co-authorship in "a number of publications on insurance law including Insurance Law Manual, published by Butterworths, and Principles of Insurance Law in Australia and New Zealand, and of the insurance section of Halsbury’s Law of Australia."

More Virginia Money

Apparently another financial sort in Virginia has no political ambitions in evidence. In Manassas, Michael D. Ball is manager of the Scott & Stringfellow office there.

In 2001, he completed the Security Industry's Institute course of study produced in cooperation with The Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania. He joined the financial house in 1983 and is a financial advisor in the private client group.

Southern Greetings

The Alabama State Representative with our name has been browsing and enjoying the blog. He was kind enough to send this political sign he used in his campaign.

I have reduced it a bit, but has all the political and personal elements without overdoing the ball/Ball connection. Nicely done.

Equine EMT

Our horse-doctor Michael was at the Atlanta Olympics keeping the equines healthy. He calls himself the equine EMT, who watches the jumping events and is ready to step in for the horses.

About 40 veterinarians were there. They help if horses become overheated or injured.

By the bye, his business partner, Christine Cable (also a vet), is his wife.

Few from the Mormons

My paternal -- Ball side -- granny liked genealogy and had a professional draw up a map 40 years ago. I checked out the Mormon site for another branch of the family a few days ago.

I am surprised how few Michaels there are in the many generations, dating back to the 1400s. It has long been such a common given name. Yet the Ball side is much heavier on Williams, Roberts, Josephs, and Jameses. Perhaps it's not such a curiosity that I met hundreds of Ball family relatives and others without meeting another Michael until I was middle aged.

No in Norfolk

In Virginia, Michael Ball came up short in his political campaign in Norfolk. In December 2004, he went for the special election to fill the vacant 87th District House of Delegates seat.

He's a Republican and chairs the GOP's second district in the state. He went against Democrat Paula Miller. She's a political novice but squeaked out a victory over our namesake.

He is an independent financial planner and 2nd District GOP chair. He is on the on the Norfolk State University Board of Visitors and the Norfolk Commission on the Arts and Humanities. He helped formulate criminal justice policy as a former member of the State Crime Commission. His four-year board term at the university expires in June. There, he is on the executive, building and grounds, and research and technology, and government relations (ad hoc) committees.

She had been a TV reporter, who became the flack (director of public information operations) for the Virginia Beach Sheriff. The local Hampton Roads newspaper article on the pending election stated Miller "is still completing a crash course in key aspects of state governance." It added, "When it comes to social issues, Miller and Ball share a similar philosophy. They oppose abortion in almost every circumstance, believe in the death penalty and oppose gay marriage."

Following the election, the unofficial count was a victory for Miller of 92 votes out of 7,623.

Vrooom Ace

In Tampa, Michael D. Ball was the 1999 State Truck Driving Champion from Michigan in the Three-Axle class. He represented Roadway Express.

That was the fourth annual such competition. The prizes are announced as part of the annual Driver Appreciation Week of the American Trucking Associations, Inc.

That year, then President Bill Clinton issued the proclamation for the week. It read in part:

I am especially pleased to salute the outstanding truck drivers who are competing in this year’s National Truck Driving Championships.

From long trips across our continent to short hauls between neighboring cities, America’s truck drivers deliver the goods and materials that keep our economy strong. Despite working long hours under often tedious — and sometimes dangerous — conditions, these men and women remain dedicated to delivering their varied cargoes quickly, efficiently and safely.

During National Truck Driver Appreciation Week, I join all Americans in thanking our nation’s nearly 3 million truck drivers for your hard work and commitment to excellence. You are helping to build a bright, more prosperous future for us all.

Drug Data

In Waltham, Massachusetts, Michael R. Ball, Ph.D., is vice president of business process consulting for Phase Forward, Inc. The company says it is "the leading provider of data management solutions for clinical trials and drug safety, offering proven solutions in electronic data capture (EDC), clinical data management (CDM), and adverse event reporting (AER) as either an integrated solution or as stand-alone applications."

Top School Cop

In Lee Summit, Missouri, Police Officer Mike Ball is the School Resource Officer at Delta Woods Middle School. He has over 14 years tenure with the department and is past president of the statewide Missouri School Resource Officers Association.

Multifaceted Michel

In Rotterdam, Netherlands, a Renaissance man is Michel Ball. He is poet, painter and more. His Domains page samples his various works and travels, as well as records of exhibitions and reviews.

Holy Mike!

Mike Ball with wife Faith have three sons and three daughters. Mike and Faith are missionaries with Shield of Faith Mission International. SFMI has its headquarters in Oregon.

After 11 years on the job in Mexico, they felt the call for a change. Through prayer, they turned to East Africa. Mike scouted out Kenya and Tanzania. He’'s returning with the whole family.