1/24/2004

its the dork equivalent of my favorite time of year

I love March Madness. But since the last time I played competitive hoops that meant anything was 1990 (apologies to all those seminary hoops buds....those games were special, too, but in just a different way), I don't connect with it on the level that I once did. Granted, the NCAAs are pretty much the only basketball I'll watch on television any more, and I will subject my wife and co-workers to a pre-tournament prediction extravaganza, but trust me, it will fade from my consciousness as quickly as it entered.

This, however, is a Madness tourney I wish I had known about earlier. I would definitely have partaken, rather than just observed. Not that I really think I could have beaten anybody, but if a #15 can take out a #2 in hoops, then surely a similar scenario is even more likely here, where the parity is greater and the quality between the top and the bottom is much less distinguishable.

I haven't read or previewed any body yet, but going along similar lines of the "Dominant Mascot in Nature" theory that oft guides my NCAA selections, my Blog Madness Final Four choices are (go to the tourney site for the links, that's what I'm gonna do):

Out of the Sports Bracket: #2 Seed: My Father the Felon, by Small Dead Animals
Out of the Work Bracket: #3 Seed: Boomers Be Damned, by Modular Parrot
Out of the Love Bracket: #8 Seed: A Note on Bathroom Etiquette by Johns Jottingz
Out of the Bills Bracket: #11 Seed: How to Handle a Divorce (my dark horse to win it all)

Most intruiging first-round competition (by title of entries): In the Love Bracket: #13 I Am A Sexist Pig: I Open Doors For Women, by Ipse Dixit vs. #20 I'm a sensitive, rock & roll kind of guy, by Attaboy

Oh, and the bracket names have nothing to do with the subject matters, I've come to discover.

Good luck, play fair, and be careful when you're scratching yourself -- sometimes the cameras are still on during the TV timeout.

today's timewaster

thanks sophorist....i've been playing penguin baseball for a fair good time. And I still haven't beaten your mark.

are we there yet?

I saw this at avoiding evil, who explains from where it came.

I figured I did 100 movies, and 20 questions so why not 50 states.

BOLD = Marks the states that I have visited (or graced with my presence, if only briefly).
ITALICS = Marks the states that I have lived in.

1) Alabama 2) Alaska 3) Arizona 4) Arkansas 5) California 6) Colorado 7) Connecticut 8) Delaware 9) Florida 10) Georgia 11) Hawaii 12) Idaho 13) Illinois 14) Indiana 15) Iowa 16) Kansas 17) Kentucky 18) Louisiana 19) Maine 20) Maryland 21) Massachusetts 22) Michigan 23) Minnesota (in utero) 24) Mississippi 25) Missouri 26) Montana 27) Nebraska 28) Nevada 29) New Hampshire 30) New Jersey 31) New Mexico 32) New York 33) North Carolina 34) North Dakota 35) Ohio 36) Oklahoma 37) Oregon 38) Pennsylvania 39) Rhode Island 40) South Carolina 41) South Dakota 42) Tennessee 43) Texas 44) Utah 45) Vermont 46) Virginia 47) Washington 48) West Virginia 49) Wisconsin 50) Wyoming.

27 visited...over halfway done. I expect to check a few more off the list this year with work, maybe several with a trip already scheduled to the North East. From what I can tell, I've hit every state except Arkansas below America's beltline (defined by me as the 40° parallel that sweeps across the USA like a pair of hitched-up old man's trousers, belted way too high above the bellybutton, which would of course be Great Bend, Kansas) but only two states that are above it.

Next road trip: Yellowstone, Mount Rushmore, and Puget Sound!

coming soon to afv

Joshua pointed me to these photos of Saddam's capture, and I point them to you (unless you've already seen them, of course).

Its pix like these that cause me to marvel at the age of the Internet, and the swift dissemination of information. And that last photo looks like it could come out of the scrapbook of any American family: the day our crazy dictator uncle was pulled out of a septic tank and stopped by for a visit while in shackles.

the gospel according to batman


The tale of the Dark Knight includes an intersting character with whom we should all be able to identify.

His name is Harvey Dent, a psychopathic former-friend of Bruce Wayne, who becomes the villian known as Two Face. This criminal seems to continually be at odds against himself, never able to make a decision without a flip of the coin. He fights, resists, and rebels against his good nature, instead indulging in the violent, antisocial personae that makes him so dangerous.



You might be saying "wait, why should I be able to identify with this guy? I'm not antisocial, villianous, or even psychotic."


The reality is, we are all Two Face, continually at odds with our selves, battling between the spiritual reality of either who we are or can potentially be as children of God through the atoning sacrifice of Jesus of Nazareth, and the fleshly deception of who we believe ourselves to be according to a carnal, dead worldview. From God's perspective, certainly we possess a similar visage of this creature Harvey/Two Face who is both handsome and hideous.



Further exacerbating the evidence that you and I are bipolar in our nature is the engagement of Harvey with the love of his life. Her name? You got it: Grace.

Grace is who he loves, yet who in his corruption, despises. He desperately desires her, but angrily denies her. The most chilling words of Dent's departure into madness and folly: "Goodbye Grace."



Are we any different? To deny who we are in the image of the Christ is to rebuff grace. Grace is what we desperately desire but all too often angrily deny. The chilling words too many among us have spoken are simply, "Goodbye grace."



Harvey Dent's descent into madness culminates into a fierce, maniacal pursuit of the law of averages. Without grace, there is only the law. And the law was only ever intended to show man his ultimate and utter futility. We, like Harvey Dent, are Two Face. And we, too, need grace.

time waster of the day

who wants to be a millionaire....for pretend?


thanks presurfer.

1/23/2004

i think she was lion

I guess I'm sheltered, I always thought it was "catch a tiger by the toe."

goodbye old friend

pigpen, the outkast

I enjoyed this more than I can express in print.

I watched it repeatedly, in its entirety.

Thanks for the link, Steven

limited value

Kelsi is being quite vocal in her discontent that I do not possess the digitally accessorizing implements to extract dehydrated mucuous masses from her nasal cavities, as does, say, her mother.

"Boo-guhs Daddy," she'll complain while pointing plaintively to her miniscule proboscis. I have no verbal answer. I only iextend my meathook hands, with fingers large enough to make her look like Jerry Cooney after 12 rounds with Larry Holmes, and fingernails cut so low they'd only compact, not extract.

We're all ready for Kelli to be home.

thirty one

for thirty-one years the account of your death
has been the focus of a nation's celebration and mourning
you were the first of millions to never draw breath
sacrficed to gods that leave mothers forlorning

pride, indulgence, fear, regret, convenience, and shame
an unfortunate accident, a mistake, an unwanted surprise
these and many more feeble excuses became your sad name
confessionally, this way it was much easier to culminate the lies

you could have been my brother, my cousin, or even my child
memories, tales, and love have been stripped from us both
I cannot explain why others were loved while you were reviled
nor how you will never see the sorrows and joys of life's growth

the very basic rights we all daily take for granted
were the simple same pursuits that you never received
instead, ripped from the womb where you were implanted
the most innocent victim of a mother deceived

this slaughter of millions occurs one by one
under false banners of liberation for women to be free
the death of infants -- babies -- cannot be undone
we must turn from this death culture to hear the unborn's plea

precious baby, dear child, beloved of life
your value is so much more than when you were disparaged
never to be a husband or father, or mother or wife
no "sweet sixteen," prom, graduation or being given in marriage

in "one nation under God" is waged this horrible war
God's churches and God's children are both guilty and silent
how can "God bless America" even one dark day more
when we accept and participate in actions so violent?

for thirty-years you have silently screamed
an entire generation that will never have voice
what could you have been, done, or dreamed?
irony is deafening, this "freedom of choice"

prayer request

Please offer a prayer for a follower of the Christ named Steve, who was just diagnosed with lymph node cancer.

clearly, i'm not batchelor material

Cotter: Daddy?
Me: Yes?
He: Don't you think it's time you went on Extreme Makeover?
Me: Am I looking that bad?
He: Well, you haven't shaved for three days. Mommy will not be happy about that.

'joy' doesn't begin to describe it

An important discovery has taken place at the Brogblog home.

Praise God for his love!

she raises a good point

Irene comments in my previous post how I can import my comments from haloscan into MT. I'll certainly do it. But what her comment illustrates is that I'm a total ignoramus when it comes to this process.

I've spent the last hour working on my MT template and it looks, in a one small word, LIKE A DOG THREW UP ON MY MONITOR. I originally intended to rely on a smarter, dear friend of mine, but the lure of free web space and an inexpensive domain name tempted me like Pete Rose on a Vegas junket. Now, here I am with tons of questions and nowhere to go. I've already tried to steal code of Jen's page...nope didn't work. I even tried just to C&P off my own blogspot site, figuring something's better than nothing. Well, let me tell you, nothing is better than the something I've worked up.

Now, the pride-filled fella that I am envisioned this grand unveiling that would make everyone "ooh" and "aah" and "suddenly flood my site with visitors." Looks like I may need to scale down my expectations a bit.

it's late....maybe I just need some rest.

1/22/2004

20 answers

Jared asked, so I'm answering:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
16.
17.
18.
19.
20

sung to the tune of its a small world

in the inbox

    Question: What is the truest definition of Globalization?

    Answer: Princess Diana's death.

    Question: Why is that?

    Answer: An English princess with an Egyptian boyfriend crashes in a French tunnel, driving a German car with a Dutch engine, driven by a Belgian who was drunk on Scottish whisky, - (check the bottle before you change the spelling) followed closely by Italian Paparazzi on Japanese motorcycles; treated by an American doctor using Brazilian medicines. This is sent to you by an American, using Bill Gates' technology, and you're probably reading this on your computer, that uses Taiwanese chips, and a Korean monitor, assembled by Bangladeshi workers in a Singapore plant, transported by Indian lorry-drivers, hijacked by Indonesians, unloaded by Sicilian longshoremen, and trucked to you by Mexican illegals.....


    That, my friends, is Globalization

time thief of the day

From the website mixmaster

Jen's Blog as my blog
Drudge as my blog
PETA as my blog
ESPN as my blog
The White House as my blog


and then, the more fun...and funnier...efforts:

my blog as Fox News
my blog as Mensa
my blog as Tony's blog
my blog as NAMB
my blog as Instapundit's blog
my blog as MoveOn.org
my blog as Howard Dean's blog
my blog as Wes Clark's blog


The real question here, friends, is how much time do you intend to waste today?

Don't blame me. It's the presurfer's fault for your sudden cessation of productivity.

note: the mixmaster site is clean, but does provide links to examples of its mixing capabilities with inappropriate sites. These are all plainly linked and easily avoided. Please show some character and integrity in your surfing.

are you a regifter

This tale reminds me of course of the Seinfeld episode:

    She had a wedding to go to, and needed a wedding gift. Aha, she thought, I have that monogrammed silver tray from my wedding that I never use. I'll just take it to a silversmith and have him remove my monogram and put hers on it. Voila, one cheap wedding present."

    She took it to the silversmith and asked him to remove her monogram and put the new one on. The silversmith examined the tray carefully, shook his head and said, "Lady, this can only be done so many times!"


Of course, we, like you, would *never* regift any of the valued, cherished items given by others to us to commemorate birthdays, anniversaries, or other celebrations and festivities.

However, there is one gift that is permissible, even expected to be regifted. In fact, if this gift is not regifted often and liberally and without preference nor prejudice, you will not be able to fully appreciate the value of the gift itself. This gift is truly incredible, because unlike the silver platter, it never wears thin, it never depreciates, and it never diminishes in value. You can (and should) give this gift away over and over, never worrying that your possession of the gift itself will some how or someway be lost.

One more thing. If you don't have the gift, but find yourself yearning for it, all you have to do is ask for it, and it's yours.

Now get busy regifting! And to the Gift-Giver, Thank You!

imdb top flix list

Following Jen's lead, The rules: Bold the ones you've seen. Italicize the ones you want to see. Put an asterisk by your favorites. And underline the ones you own.

1. The Godfather*
2. The Shawshank Redemption, The*
3. The Godfather: Part II*
4. The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King*
5. The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers*
6. Casablanca
7. Schindler's List*

8. The Seven Samurai
9. The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring*
10. Citizen Kane
11. Star Wars*
12. One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest*
13. Dr. Strangelove or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb
14. Rear Window
15. Star Wars: Episode V - The Empire Strikes Back*
16. Raiders of the Lost Ark*

17. Memento
18. The Usual Suspects**
19. Pulp Fiction

20. North by Northwest
21. Amelie

22. Psycho (1960)
23. 12 Angry Men

24. Lawrence of Arabia
25. The Silence of the Lambs
26. The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly
27. It's a Wonderful Life
28. Goodfellas

29. American Beauty
30. Vertigo

31. Sunset Blvd.
32. The Pianist*
33. The Matrix*
34. Apocalypse Now
35. To Kill a Mockingbird
36. Some Like It Hot

37. Taxi Driver
38. Paths of Glory
39. The Third Man
40. Once Upon a Time in the West
41. Fight Club*
42. Das Boot
43. Spirited Away
44. Double Indemnity
45. L.A. Confidential
46. Chinatown
47. Singin' in the Rain

48. Requiem for a Dream
49. The Maltese Falcon

50. M
51. All About Eve
52. The Bridge on the River Kwai
53. Monty Python and the Holy Grail
54. Se7en
55. Saving Private Ryan*

56. City of God
57. Raging Bull
58. The Wizard of Oz

59. Rashomon
60. The Sting
61. American History X
62. Alien

63. Mr. Smith Goes to Washington
64. Leon (The Professional)
65. 2001: A Space Odyssey

66. Life Is Beautiful
67. Touch of Evil
68. The Manchurian Candidate
69. Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon
70. The Treasure of the Sierra Madre
71. The Great Escape

72. A Clockwork Orange
73. Reservoir Dogs*
74. Annie Hall
75. Amadeus*
76. Jaws

77. Ran
78. On the Waterfront
79. Modern Times
80. High Noon
81. Braveheart**

82. The Apartment
83. The Sixth Sense*
84. Fargo**
85. Aliens
86. The Shining
87. Blade Runner

88. Strangers on a Train
89. Duck Soup
90. Metropolis
91. Finding Nemo
92. Donnie Darko
93. Toy Story 2*
94. The Princess Bride*

95. The General
96. City Lights
97. Run Lola Run
98. Full Metal Jacket
99. Notorious
100. The Seventh Seal

home improvement

This is where you're supposed to make gorilla sounds.

Anyway, from the inbox:

    Household Handyman's Guide1. If you can't find a screwdriver, use a knife. If you break off the tip, it's an improved screwdriver.

    2. Try to work alone. An audience is rarely any help.

    3. Above all, if what you've done is stupid, but it works, then it isn't stupid.

    4. Work in the kitchen whenever you can ... many fine tools are there, its warm and dry, and you are close to the refrigerator.

    5. If it's electronic, get a new one ... or consult a twelve-year old.

    6. Stay simple minded: Get a new battery; replace the bulb or fuse; see if the tank is empty; try turning the switch "on"; or just paint over it.

    7. Always take credit for miracles. If you dropped the alarm clock while taking it apart and it suddenly starts working, you have healed it.

    8. Regardless of what people say, kicking, pounding, and throwing sometimes DOES help.

    9. If something looks level, it is level.

    10. If at first you don't succeed, redefine success.

tracking my spending

I've signed up at where's george, because I am a lemming and I received a $10 bill as change with the website promoting it. Apparently, this 10 spot has travelled 800 miles before landing in my hand.

Now that this is out of the way, life can continue as previously scheduled.

a good night

I've rebounded from near exhaustion to get through the evening. I napped a bit while the kids watched Goof Troop or House of Mouse or Donald Gets Revenge on that Attention-Grabbing Rat...something on the Disney Channel.

I then made the family supper. Roast beef. Mashed potatoes. Green beans. Broccoli. Gravy. The children all ate well and given the consistency of the gravy, I have plenty of spackle for any future holes in the drywall. I spent an hour trying to set up the VCR for taping the Bachelorette and The Mole for my Beloved. Couldn't make it wet. Kelsi decided to spend the last 15 minutes mourning the absence of my total devotion, so that made the effort doubly fun in futility. So I went downstairs and popped it in the kids VCR, and sure enough, it worked on the first try. So as you can tell, we're not big "tape recording" people.

I've had two phone calls tonight. A two minute conversation with a fellow named Derek who asked for prayer regarding spiritual opposition. Then a delightful conversation with a 37 year-old woman who asked for intercessory prayers of salvation for a friend serving in Iraq, and then for prayers for wisdom about her search for a lifemate. I briefly considered pointing her toward Jen's blog, but ultimately decided that would be beyond the parameters of my responsibilties.

As I was typing this, I received another call...please pray for Norma in Louisville,KY. She's a homebound senior lady who is very lonely.

This experience has been very good for me because it has renewed my understanding that there are so many people out there who just feel lost, lonely, alone, isolated, and without hope. People who just want to hear and believe that God loves them, and that their future can be better than their present. I haven't made a firm decision on this (and I won't until I work out logistics with Kelli), but I think I'd like to continue this ministry after my "on mission" week is completed.

1/21/2004

i don't know how single parents do it

Kelli's annual excursion to Nashville has without a doubt developed into "The Renewed Appreciation of All that Mommy Provides" annual excursion.

We're making it. But to say we're a skeleton crew would be an understatement. The girls don't get curled hair. Be happy it's combed.

I told Kelli that we were having microwave pizza for supper last night. Plans for roast were set back by a lack of aluminum foil.

"You're playing that 'microwave pizza' card pretty early in the game, doncha think?" my beloved asked me rhetorically.

"Yeah, but I'm holding on to the 'chicken pot pie' card for later on, if things really get desperate."

Last night, I think I got a grand total of seven minutes of sleep. Kelsi and Cotter found their way to my bed, and I tried to placate them for a while, but eventually I went and slept on Cotter's bed. I've got big plans to watch a DVD with them all this afternoon, fully intent on catching a few winks in the process.

Oh, and the roast is ready for tonight. All I have to do is cook the green beans.

One more thing -- Praise God for paper plates!

oops -- as an evidence of how feeble I am for the task at hand...the whole reason I was being confessional was to share this related link that was filled with helpful reminders for me as I parent solo this week. Thanks to presurfer for the connection.

hear it for yourself

This nice fellow has compiled the offal of "Crazy" Howard Dean's speeches and offered them for your consideration.

I ask again...do you really want this man as your leader?*

If you do, I fear what this says about you more than what it says about him.


*this is likely a moot point following Iowa, but thanks for playing along.

good blog

Lashawn Barber is, as the Exultate Justi notes, "a triple threat," and a welcome addition to the blogroll.

wahoo!

Pray for Martha in El Paso, who suffers from Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (that's not the part I'm 'wahooing'). She has prayed to receive Jesus as her Savior, confessing Him as Lord, believing God has raised Him from the dead!

God is awesome!

Jesus is Lord! read all about it!

The Christian Carnival is up! Go see the Pharasaic tightrope walkers, the Sadusaic House of Disbelief, and sites and wonders that will dazzle and amaze.

Remember, you must be at least 48 inches to read these posts.

inbox wisdom

edited for your enlightenment:

    Just remember...if the world didn't suck, we'd all fall off.

    Don't argue with an idiot; people watching may not be able to tell the difference.

    A blonde said, "I was worried that my mechanic might try to rip me off. I was relieved when he told me all I needed was turn signal fluid."

its easy to duck and cover when you're a hobbit

I watched the final Lord of the Rings installment whilst in Lexington.

The negatives:
Didn't seem as long as The Two Towers. Still too long. Found myself thinking "Okay Bilbo, any day now. We get it. It's tough. You want the ring. Gollum wants the ring. Drop it in the river of fire already, for the love of Peter Jackson." I also found myself noticing more than before the obvious tactics used to convey the short stature of hobbits and dwarves, and even laughed a couple of times at the more conspicuous efforts. Also, I thought there was a preponderance of homosexual undertones. I actually wondered at one point if Pippen & Merry were going to kiss. Sam & Bilbo never conveyed a similar vibe, despite hugging more times than if they were at a Promise Keeper's rally.

The positives:
Good movie. Special effects were incredible. An epic tale, well-crafted on the screen. Sean Astin's effort is worthy of Oscar consideration. I've exercised great patience in not getting the DVDs because I'm sure there will be a "Criterion"-type edition with all the extended material compiled together. And I will buy it. And I will watch it in marathon fashion. And I will expect Kelli to endure it with me.

are you whitening your teeth?

I'd like to think that I'm a fairly tolerant person, although I really won't stand for anyone who disagrees with me about that. What I really can't stand, though, is that commercial where several people approach their friend, the "star" of the ad, and ask him if he's lost weight, got a new haircut, etc. etc. There's just "something" different about him. Turns out, he's on Viagra. Seems to me that nobody was paying attention to the giant white elephant in the middle of the room that made everybody's questioning so necessary.

This commercial is only bested in its pathetic-quotient by the one of the guy whos stuck with the PermaGrinTM because he's been wantonly taking the magical endowment pill. I don't know the name of it and wouldn't link to it if I did. I just think they should list that horribly silly smile as a potential side effect. The whole *wink wink nudge nudge* of the ad campaign makes one curious to whom this product is being marketed -- 18-year-old boys with lockerroom anxiety, perhaps.

Yet, the chief of all bad male insecurity-related products is for the one endorsed by the National Football League and is rife with the symbolism of the middle-aged dude throwing the football through the tire.... ifyaknowwhatimean..... followed by the pathetic tagline of something like, "Don't YOU want to stay 'in the game?'" What's sad is that I didn't understand the commercial at first. I was sincerely clueless. That was, of course, until Coach Ditka starred in the sequel and spelled it out for me. Oh, and coach, thanks for the disturbing dose of TMI that will never allow me to appreciate you in the same way again.

I really don't care about the products themselves. If a guy needs the medical equivalent of Bounty Paper Towels for his boudoir regimen, that's between him, his beloved, and their pharmacist. I just don't understand why advertisement directed toward men has to be pedantic, juvenile, and coy. A woman experiencing gender-specific comparable issues would never tolerate a similarly-directed campaign. Then again, I guess when men respond to a product regardless of the tone of the marketing, its hard to convincingly argue against it.


Now, I have to tell you, I had no intention of writing this minirant. I really just wanted to share the announcement that I have, thanks to King of Fools, Wizbang, and XRLQ, began the work of evacuating the sinking Lusitania that is Blogspot, thanks to the Exodus Project. I'm looking forward to unveiling new bloggy goodness soon. The gripe session sprung up when I wrote the title, and it tapped into the latent hostility that apparently resides within me over the matter. Thank you for working through this with me. It's nice to know I'm not alone.

nothing like the smell of fiery blogs in the morning

The latest Bonfire of the Vanities is up, over at One fine Jay.

1/20/2004

bummer

I missed out on the chance to be a part of the first Christian Carnival over at King of Fool's...

maybe next week.

sung to the tune of they're coming to take me away


Which Historical Lunatic Are You?
From the fecund loins of Rum and Monkey.

Thanks to the living room, amidst his blogathon.

whaddaya mean "and slim just left the building?"

20%
There's a 20% chance that I'll win a Bloggie™.
What's Your Chance to Win a Bloggie™?


I pretty much saw the writing on the wall as I took the quiz. If even had a 20 percent chance I'd be surprised. Only if the category was "obscure blog by a Christian man with three small children living in the South East US after recently moving from the Rocky Mountains."

blog idol-atry

here's my top five to the first Blogger Idol Adventure:

Luke's lyrical masterpiece

Christopher's homage to 80s pop culture


Monica's flypaper-like love for the "me decade."

Alysha Jane's swoon over Ponch and McGyver.

Rambling Webgirl's 80s compendium checklist.

It all makes you want to turn up the Air Supply and have a good cry into your pillow.

shallow gal

    gwyneth paltrow"I worry about bringing up a child in America," Paltrow told World Entertainment News Network. "At the moment there's a weird, over-patriotic atmosphere over there, like, 'We're number one and the rest of the world doesn't matter.'"

this is awesome!

I've taken a call.

It was surprisingly scary.

But all went well.

Please pray for Ronnie. He's a man who needed assurance of his salvation and prayer for relief from stress and depression.

Thank you Lord for trusting me with Ronnie's needs. I'm filled with gratitude that you blessed me by talking with him tonight.

out of the mouth of a babe

Kelli's post-caucus comment:

"It seems to me that the Democrats don't know what they want."

Well said, my dear.

do you want fries with that?

a conversation between Cotter and myself on the way back from the airport:
    Cotter: Daddy?
    Me: Yes?
    He: You know that red-haired guy?
    Me: Which red-haired guy?
    He: The one with red hair.
    Me: I have no idea what you are talking about.
    He: The guy that's always at the burger place...
    Me: Oh, you mean Ronald McDonald.
    He: That's right. So should I call him "Ronald" or "Mick"?
    Me: Call him "Ronald."
    He: Well, some people call you "Mac..."
    Me: I'm not sure we know him well enough yet to call him "Mick."
    He: Is he the Burger King?
    Me: No...that's some other guy.
    He: So which one is Wendy married to?
    Me: Are you trying to tell me that you are ready for lunch?
    He: Oh, yes sir! That'd be great!
    Me: So what do you want?
    He: A peanut butter and jelly sandwich.
    Me: I don't know if I'll ever understand you.

sir, you are no michael keaton

Kelli is about to depart for her writer's conference. She writes kindergarten Sunday school curriculum for our denomination. She'll be in Nashville until Sunday. She has assured me that she's equipped me with the necessary food, clothing, homework assignment dates, activity itineraries, and other pertinant information required to parent my children at a level of quality and success that will both keep CPS at bay and guarantee the comfort and calm of all grandparents.

I'm working from home this week. Technically, I'm taking my paid week of mission service. I am plugged in to our telephone encourager network. Theoretically, I'll be receiving calls from people who may want to learn how to have a faith relationship with Jesus of Nazareth, the Christ. The only call I've had so far though is a guy who was looking for Juanita. He wasn't interested in Jesus.

In between phone calls, I'll be parenting, of course. But I'll also be addressing some of the theological issues that have been stacking on my blog "to do" list.* And I'll also be making some serious headway on our small group resource. If you are a man who is involved in a small group and you'd be interested in giving me input and feedback, leave me a comment and I'll make sure you can get a look at the rough draft.

*this list is a mental one, not a physical one. and it is quite cluttered.

inbox humor

I share because I'm a giver, and, well, because it's easy:

    RedefinedEach year the Washington Post's Style Invitational asks readers to take any word from the dictionary, alter it by adding, subtracting, or changing only one letter and supply a new definition. Here are some of the 2002 winners:

    Intaxication: Euphoria at getting a tax refund, which lasts until you realize it was your money to start with.

    Reintarnation: Coming back to life as a hillbilly.

    Giraffiti: Vandalism painted very, very high.

    Sarchasm: The gulf between the author of sarcastic wit and the person who doesn't get it.

    Inoculatte: To take coffee intravenously when you are running late.

    Hipatitis: Terminal coolness.

    Karmageddon: It's like, when everybody is sending off all these really bad vibes, right? And then, like, the Earth explodes and it's like, a serious bummer.

    Dopeer Effect: The tendency for stupid ideas to seem smarter when they come at you rapidly.

thankful for friends

I just received an email that alerted me to a possible confusing statement on my 80s post. It has been accordingly edited. Thanks, friend.

psa

The following information is not intended to be directed toward one person specifically. It is merely a listing of Southern Baptist churches in the Austin, Texas, vacinity locality (ehem....thanks), that may or may not have something to offer and to receive from the active participation of anyone residing in this area, be it for many years or even having recently moved.*

Hyde Park
Lakeline
Hillcrest
Anderson Mill
Texas Oaks
The Church at Canyon Creek

and if none of those work, then this site may help.


I hope this helps anyone out there who may be interested.

*being listed herein should not necessarily be construed as an endorsement.

we hold these truths and all that jazz

take this presidential quiz.

I got 7 outta 10.

Don't worry, I got all the important ones right.

1/19/2004

space for rent

outta the inbox:

    Actually Taken From Classified Ads In Newspapers
    FREE YORKSHIRE TERRIER. 8 YEARS OLD. HATEFUL LITTLE DOG. BITES.
    -------------------------------
    FREE PUPPIES: 1/2 COCKERSPANIEL 1/2 SNEAKY NEIGHBOR'S DOG.
    -----------------------------
    FREE PUPPIES... PART GERMAN SHEPHERD, PART STUPID DOG.
    ------------------------------
    GERMAN SHEPHERD 85 lbs. NEUTERED. SPEAKS GERMAN. FREE.
    -------------------------------------
    FOUND: DIRTY WHITE DOG. LOOKS LIKE A RAT... BEEN OUT AWHILE... BETTER BE A REWARD.
    ----------------------------
    SNOW BLOWER FOR SALE...ONLY USED ON SNOWY DAYS.
    -------------------------------
    COWS, CALVES NEVER BRED...ALSO 1 GAY BULL FOR SALE.
    -------------------------------
    NORDIC TRACK $300 HARDLY USED, CALL CHUBBY.
    -------------------------------------
    HUMMERS - LARGEST SELECTION EVER - "IF IT'S IN STOCK, WE HAVE IT!"
    ----------------------------------------
    GEORGIA PEACHES, CALIFORNIA GROWN - 89 cents lb.
    ------------------------------------------
    NICE PARACHUTE: NEVER OPENED - USED ONCE.
    -----------------------------------------
    JOINING NUDIST COLONY! MUST SELL WASHER & DRYER $300.
    ------------------------------------------
    ALZHEIMER'S CENTER PREPARES FOR AN AFFAIR TO REMEMBER.
    -------------------------------------------
    OPEN HOUSE: BODY SHAPERS TONING SALON. FREE COFFEE & DONUTS.
    --------------------------------------

kerry plays ketchup, heinz-sight on the presidency

John F Kerry won the meaningless Iowa caucus. "Frankly, this is Fabulous!" he exclaimed to his supporters. "Have no Fear, For February Formulates Festive Feasibilities for our Friends who will Follow my Formula for the Future," he (could have conceivably) said in a show of poor sportsmanship in winning.

The more likely scenario is that he is modeling his campaign after the Failed 1988 bid of Friend and Fellow Futile Favorite Richard Gephardt, who is planning to concede on Tuesday, after realizing he had jumped out of the congressional airplane with a knapsack filled with picnic miscellanea, rather than a parachute.

Assessment: Kerry is delusional, Edwards is buoyed. Dean is even more madder than hell, if such a thing is possible, now that he's just found out that 89% of all the Hawkeyes hasn't come to its senses and realized that "it's time for a change," despite weeks of telling 'em so.

Next up, New Hampshire, where the cold bite of reality will certainly be giving a Jack Frost-like nip to one more of the windling Democrats of Defeat.

sung to the tune of back in time

The Blogger Idol theme is "The 80s." No doubt, had blogging been around in this formative decade, I would have partaken. Had such a blog existed, it would have looked a little something like.....

this....

    The Big Mac Attack

    insight from the coolest guy in Northwestern Colorado


    August 30, 1984
    Finally, I'm a 7th grader! Football is going good. I made first team on both offense and defense. We are gonna rock this year! If we're half as good as we were in all our intramural games last year, the other teams don't stand a chance!

    I'm psyched because I got second lunch with Al, Jon, Troy, and Beaver. All the cool girls are in there too Angel, Tracey, Ronae, Stacy, Jamie, Cherylee. I kinda like Becca Watkins, too. I might ask her out.

    It's just awesome not to be caught up in all that junk that seemed so important back in 6th grade.

    October 18, 1984
    Well, football is over. We didn't win a game. I guess it's cool that I scored two touchdowns, but it's not cool that those were the only ones we scored all year long. Troy *did* have that 90 yard touchdown, but it was called back because I held a guy. Basketball is going to be different. We're unstoppable in basketball!

    The fall social is getting close. I really want to ask Becca, but I think I'll ask Ronae instead.

    November 22, 1984
    Becca said YES!

    December 25, 1984
    Well, basketball is over. We lost every game. Coach said "you've had enough 'character building experiences' to last you a whole lifetime!" I agree.

    Jon brought this tape to school today. It was called 1984 by Van Halen. I've heard of them before, but this tape is awesome! If we had that song Jump! for ball season, we woulda won every game!

    Becca and I broke up. I think she likes Al.

    July 19, 1985
    Today is my 13th birthday! Woohoo! I'm just about the last one in my class to turn 13. We've been out at the lake all day today! I made out with Regina! I hope no one tells Becca.

    Stacy almost drowned today. We had like 10 of us on a 5 person innertube. I needed to pee real bad, so I just rolled off, and that tipped the whole thing over. Yeah, Stacy's not a real strong swimmer. So we had to save her life. That woulda been a real bummer if she hadn't made it.

    Someone made up a song for her called Careless Swimmer, like a rip off of Careless Whisper by George Michael, that dude from Wham! I bet he gets all the girls...

    8th grade starts in a few weeks. We are going to rule the school!

    September 18, 1985
    Becca broke up with me at the Rollercade last night. She said she heard someone saw me kissing Regina. At least I had on my red parachute pants, so I looked really cool. I just wish I could breakdance like Trevor. He is sooooo good at The Robot. He really looks just like a robot!

    September 19, 1985
    Becca and I are back together. I am so in love with her. We are going to be together forever!

    September 20, 1985
    I totally broke up with Becca today. I found out that she and Alan were totally kissing at the rollercade the other night.

    September 21, 1985
    I dedicated Why Can't This Be Love to Becca. Hagar and Van Halen really know how to say what's in my heart.

    April 19, 1986
    Becca told me she's moving to Fruita. I'm too sad to write. If I go to the Rollercade tonight, I'm not going to even get off the bench. Not even for "Shoot the Duck."

    April 20, 1986
    I went skating last night. I stayed on the bench and I bet 20 people kept coming up asking me "what's wrong?" I kept saying "nothing." Finally, Lori came over and we started talking. We ended up kissing. I am so in love with Lori.

    August 28, 1986
    "Dawg Days" are in full heat. We're practicing twice a day, in full pads. All the freshmen are getting swirlies. Except me. I guess it helps having a senior for a brother.

    August 30, 1986
    Jamie gave me a swirlie today, in front of everybody. Three times.

    September 8, 1986
    La profesora made us choose Spanish names today. Call me Ustedes. I think Diane and I will get married someday.

    February 20, 1987
    Track has started. I think I actually have a chance at making varsity. Diane apologized for cheating on me like, thirty times. I told her it was cool and we could still be friends.

    May 12, 1987
    School's almost over. I'm a sophmore now! I gave Kelli Cotter a secret admirer note today. I told her I just found it in the hall. I signed it "your silent worshipper." I'm such a dork. At least she'll never know its me.

    May 24, 1987
    Jamie graduated. He's moving out next week. I'm taking his room as soon as he's gone.

    September 4, 1987
    School's going fine. Now that I'm in 10th grade, we don't have to sit up in the school attic before class starts. Everyone sits on the edge of the commons area. We all exchange homework before first hour. I found out Kelli is an office aide during lunch hour. I think I'll stop by and say "hi" today.

    December 18, 1987
    Kelli pretty much crushed me today. At lunch, she basically told me, "you know, you don't have to come by here *every* day." Oh yeah, I got the hint.

    February 23, 1988
    Diane and I are seeing each other. I gave her a note before computer class. Kelli's in that class with her. I think it might have made Kelli a little jealous. What do I care? She's still dating Terry.

    May 23, 1988
    Kelli graduated today. I gave her a card. I told her I'd always be here as a friend, but she needed to watch out for Terry, because he'd just break her heart. She smiled and hugged me. She's so cool. I'm really going to miss her. She's leaving like, tomorrow, for Texas. I hope I see her again someday.

    June 12, 1988
    I met this *cute* girl today. Her name is Mary Beth. I've known her, but never really talked with her. Anyway, we were over at Stacy's at a party, and we started talking. We're going to go catch a movie together tomorrow next week.

    We were going to catch the show tomorrow night, but then I got grounded. Troy told his parents he was staying with me, and I said I was staying with him. And we both ended up crashing at Stacy's. Well, this is the one day my parents decide to pick me up for a 6 AM breakfast, and we're nowhere to be found. Yeah...not too smart.

    November 5, 1988
    I love Mary Beth. We talked about getting married after college. I am the luckiest guy in the world!


    January 18, 1989
    I kissed one of Mary Beth's best friends last night. oops!

    January 19, 1989
    Happy Birthday Mary Beth!

    May 20, 1989
    MB graduates today! Thank goodness! Maybe once she goes to school I can finally breathe.


    July 15, 1989
    MB is leaving for college in two weeks. I feel like I'm about to lose the only source of oxygen.

    August 18, 1989
    SENIOR YEAR BEGINS! WE RULE THE SCHOOL!

    September 24, 1989
    I've got to make up my mind. Either the University of Denver, the University of Colorado, or Stanford.

    September 29, 1989
    I've pretty much come to terms with the fact that I only applied to Stanford to see if I would get accepted. So that narrows it down.

    November 21, 1989
    DU has won the Bryan sweepstakes. I really dig the school except they don't have a football team.

    December 6, 1989
    MB is coming home from college. I better break it off with Kristie.

    December 31, 1989
      Resolutions for 1990:
    • Live fast!

    • Be crazy!

    • Have more fun than you!

    • Not get caught doing any of it!


    I was invited to a church lock-in tonight. I will never be into that stuff! Jesus freaks!



Editor's note: To read the other Blogger Idol entries, click on the following button:
blogger_idol-1.gif

this does not mean i'm wild at heart

From Jen's & Christopher's, I went to see where in the body I fit"

    Which Part Of The Body Are You?Congratulations! You are the left ventricle. Often referred to as being “at the heart” of church life you pride yourself on your indispensibility.

    Now that you know your place in the body: go and serve!


Let me just say that at first I was aghast at my answer.

That's because I misread it and thought it was stating that I was another leftside body part that ends in "icle." That may say more about me than I care to admit.

I've two thoughts on this. Basically, they are that I completely agree and disagree with this assessment.

I'd concur that I am indispensible to the Body. The Christ has ordained for me to do works in His name, through His strength, power, resources, and ability. They are works that have not been ordained for anyone else. If I do not do those works, I have been disobedient and I forsake the blessings of fulfilling His will.

At the same time, I am eminently disposable. God can use and does use anybody. He could do with others greater and lesser than myself that which has ordained for me to do. I am utterly and overwhelmingly unnecessary in the grand scheme of God's plan. The fact that He has seen fit to include me in the adventure is a tremendous, humbling, and tremendously humbling blessing.


see where you fit in the body over at hippocampus extension.

keeping it real

Irene has a good post about living the integrated life.

roped in & hogtied

I'm usually very good about SPAM. I've got a filter that weeds out much of it here at home. This AM, though, one got through that was just *too* interesting:

    acuitno_s for the rest of usIjevffbgThe below image should load soon


    < image never loaded >

    2. The duck is used for instrument approach and landing. Because of the fact that any sensible duck will refuse to fly under instrument conditions, it is only necessary to hurl your duck out of the plane and follow it to the ground. She hesitated a moment, then decided against it. She was really too tired.
    203.


I confess to clicking on the picture icon, which opened up a new window, which failed to load. So, my piqued interest went unrequited, and now my email address has likely found a home on 52,000 SPAMkings around the world.

I'm an idiot. All for want of a photo of a duck being hurled out of an airplane. donnie plocek, if that is your real name, you foiled me again!

1/18/2004

sung to the tune of caroina on my mind

I'm back. It was a great conference. Possibly the best I've been a part of since being on the job. About 900 men there. I had the pleasure of leading four sessions. There was a lot of positive feedback on the direction of our efforts.

It's always good to be home, though.