A Time to Blog

For everything there is a season. Today is the day. I will try to play catch up. I think bullets might work best.

• BUBBLES. I left off with a photo post of some bubbles made by a toy that Mark received for his birthday. He was only 4 and ¼ after all. The configuration actually looked like something. A dog came to mind, but I called it a blobject, trying to tie in to the theme of this blog. My dear mother-in-law commented on its resemblance to some of her balloon creations. While in her character as a clown she creates some awesome “balloon sculptures.” And with the red tablecloth backdrop Mark’s bubbles sure look like a red hot dog. Dare I say a painted poodle?

• CAFFEINE. My drug of choice since high school has been found in a cup of java. I have always taken pride in the fact that I can slurp down a regular coffee at any time of the day or night. But the times, they may be a changin’. I hope this is not the case, but I believe that it might be. In my effort to stay awake through the evening, I have really been pumping up, alternating cups of coffee with cups of tea. I’ll crawl into bed about 11 and quickly fall asleep only to arise wide awake about two or three hours later. It’s late enough that even our kids are in bed asleep. But it’s so peaceful, and I can understand why my mother-in-law enjoys this time of the night.

• READING. The upside to insomnia has been big blocks of time to read, in an effort to fall back asleep. The problem has been in my reading material though. I’ve been sailing through some books that are hard to put down. These titles have been the selections of the month for a new book discussion group through Plymouth Covenant Church. The first work was entitled “Is God to Blame?” by Greg Boyd, a defense of openness theology. Our discussion group was invigorating. The lead pastor of the church led the discussion, and although he personally holds to a view quite different that Boyd’s in this matter, seemed to me to be quite fair and balanced. (Take that Bill O’Reilly, groan.) Our next book for discussion is The Da Vinci Code, by Dan Brown. This one I read in record time. It truly is a page turner. I look forward to our discussion right after Easter. I enjoyed the book a lot more than I thought I would. Of course the “secrets” held by the secret society in the book are historically bogus in my eyes as well as most “fair-minded” historians. But he raises so many valuable issues about power and corruption and desire and does it in such a believable manner that I was enthralled.

• SATURDAY MORNINGS. This past month I’ve been meeting with a bunch of guys at a local coffee shop for some stiff caffeine and scrumptious waffles with real butter. The group consists primarily of building contractors who would like to offer opportunities to kids (young adults) who have a desire to enter the trades. With our sugar and caffeine highs we hash over how something like this should work, and how our faiths can be brought to bear in the workplace. The stairway photo from a few weeks ago on my blog has become a metaphor for what we see happening. Time and God’s moving will tell.
  

• UPCOMING MONTH. I’ve got too much on my plate for the next month. Maybe I should diet from over scheduling. Well, I suppose I should go now. I need to get started on my April 16th blog.

bubbles can be a blobject; or is it a dog? 

Better than a Top Ten

I’d like to pass on some wonderful words of advice from Damian (whoever he is) by way of Victor (whoever he is) by way of Doug, who is now covered with mud. It’s worth a peek.

Wisdom from my friend Damian...
1. Never, under any circumstances, take a sleeping pill and a laxative on the same night.
2. If you had to identify, in one word, the reason why the human race has not achieved, and never will achieve, its full potential -- that word would be "meetings."
3. There is a very fine line between "hobby" and "mental illness".
4. People who want to share their religious views with you almost never want you to share yours with them.
5. You should not confuse your career with your life.
6. Nobody cares if you can't dance well. Just get up and dance!
7. Never lick a steak knife.
8. The most destructive force in the universe is gossip.
9. You will never find anybody who can give you a clear and compelling reason why we observe daylight savings time.
10. You should never say anything to a woman that even remotely suggests that you think she's pregnant unless you can see an actual baby emerging from her at that moment.
11. There comes a time when you should stop expecting other people to make a big deal about your birthday. That time is age eleven.
12. The one thing that unites all human beings, regardless of age, gender, religion, economic status or ethnic background, is that, deep down inside, we ALL believe that we are above average drivers.
13. A person, who is nice to you, but rude to a waiter, is not a nice person. (This is very important. Pay attention. It never fails.)
14. Your friends love you anyway.
15. Never be afraid to try something new! . Remember that a lone amateur built the Ark. A large group of professionals built the Titanic.

The start (or continuation?) of something new. 

Still Chillin' 

You’ll have to use your imagination’s camera

I actually saw with my own two eyes last Sunday--no make that last Saturday--and individual driving through a busy, suburban, shopping center parking lot who was NOT talking on her cell phone. I’m extremely sorry that I was not able to retrieve my camera in time to take a picture of this event for those of you who find this hard to believe.

We gave him a cake, even though . . . .  

No birthday this year. 

Almost hidden from Raven 

Birth of a Blog

I hear and have seen with my own eyes that my father-in-law, one of the steady stalwarts against the often times too pervasive onslaught of communications technology, has started to blog. Being under attack for probably more than a year from his favorite (or at least in the top three) daughter, he finally relented and posted his own words for public display.

Being an engineer he has long had a great grasp of how things work. He’s able to fix anything, even the things that we manage to mess up around our house. And I’m sure that technology in general is quite comfortable for him. Things follow logical patterns, and given enough thought and determination, a solution can usually be found for anything.

But . . . , and you knew one was coming. When it comes to communications technology I’ve seen him drag his feet. Being a good “guy,” for many years he didn’t see the need to be bothered by a cell phone when he was out exploring the nation. Lewis and Clark did fine without one, and so can he. But his children whined and whined about not being able to contact him. And their persistence paid off. He weakened and will now talk on one of those small phones with buttons that are too small for the average guy’s fingers.

But blogging came slower. I’m not sure why. He’s been a lot more willing to contend with computers than either or my parents. (I’m the product of a more stubborn “German” mother who would love computers if she would only give them a chance, but still refuses.) As far as I can tell, he does quite well navigating programs and the internet. And he’s good at chatting through MSN messenger and the like. But blogging has been different. He's been fine reading and even commenting on existing blogs. But for him, a polite no thanks.

But now, in the early months of this new year, my favorite father-in-law has entered the blogosphere. And an official welcome is due. Please consider this it.

But (do you see a pattern in my paragraphs?) not only has he started blogging, he has not one, not two, but three blogs to his name. Wow, not to be out done by his daughter and her two, he has set the bar high. He has raised the standard. And he’s got me thinking again. For some time now, I’ve thought about starting a third blog, one which focuses more on my work in the construction trades, more specifically drywall. Maybe I’ve been inspired?

But, might this be another vain attempt like blog number two? (I still have hopes for that fledgling site.) I don’t know. But maybe it is worth a try. Its focus and purpose and look has changed a lot over the months as I’ve jumbled it around in my cluttered head. And besides, me, who doesn’t even have time to blog on “Blobjects” should probably not put anything more on my heaping plate. (I might try to eat it all and get sick.)

But we’ll see. For now, go read the father of the Swansmith.

Happy Valentine's Day (almost)

Valentine’s Day is fast approaching. And I am immensely grateful that my heart is in the right hands. I’m blessed daily, but acknowledge it too infrequently. To show my gratitude to my better half and the One who has brought us together, I’ve written corny poems in the past. They go over well though, as women (at least the one who lives with me) seem to be able to overlook a lack of craft or originality. They make me believe that it really is the thought that counts. This year, instead of printing this out and placing it in a card, I thought I would give the Swansmith a reason to read my blog. Plus, I feel as though I’m saving the trees.

The subject matter of the verse was something that we shared. Even though we were apart, we were able to experience the wonder of that evening together. For, we saw the same thing. I only wish that I had my camera with me at that time. But, because I didn’t, you’ll have to illuminate this “ ) “ and turn it about 93 degrees. Good luck.


Running on E

Racing due west,
God smiled on me last night.
My senses were raised.
Was I truly in His sight?

I wonder if He was laughing,
But it seemed more like a grin.
I faced Him directly,
He knew where I’d been.

He would have been justified to laugh,
The way I did rush,
Trying to beat the amber
As it evolved into blush.

But the blackness of night
Made His smile evident.
hanging brightly near horizon
the farther western ward I went.

His face was tilted, but only slightly.
I imagined a nod--or possibly a wink
But could I, behind that pitch
Blackness, make such a link?

Was I getting closer?
Or moving farther away?
As I scurried and hurried
And worried--a moment to pray.

And now a new blanket of snow
Was given for this night
Gracefully covering my darkness
With a fresh coat of white.

And now red is the color
Of the new dawning day
With the seal of our hearts
Forever joined they will stay.

Stumbling in the Dark

I stumbled upon a great website, especially for cartophiles like myself. From a comment on a post I made about a British musical group from the 70s, I found a website containing information about the current whereabouts of a founding member of the group. Within this site was a link to something similar to Map Quest, only it has maps of the entire world. How cool is that?

I guess if I ever thought about it, it makes sense that there would be such a place. But I never pursued it. But now I'm no longer limited to MapQuest and looking only at US cities and roads. I can now explore the WORLD. Just call me Christopher.

Oh, I suppose I should mention the site. It is multimap.com.

Here is the picture you wanted, Suzi. Will this do for a Valentine's gift? 

I think IT is working

Suzi's picture (which I of course adore) is sinking fast. It's almost as if she were entering a swamp, taking a few steps off the beaten path, attempting to be a modern day Huck Finn. Will anyone come to the rescue?????

But Being at the Bottom is Sad

But being relegated to the bottom of the page is not to her liking either. So maybe it's wrong to make two posts in one day. Plus, what will people think.

People Are Tired

People are tired of seeing the Warden's picture at the top of my blog!!!! So says. . . . .

the Warden. So this post is part of an attempt to move the Swansmith's picture closer to the bottom of the page.

Back to high school 

Getting ready for Inga online

Still lovin’ the iPod

Along with putting my music CDs on the little white hard drive, and putting my old LPs on it, lately I’ve loaded some college lectures on my iPod. I’m being completely weaned off of radio of late. I started by purchasing a set of American history lectures by Scott Davis titled “Don’t Know Much about History,” at the local half-priced book store. Thoroughly enjoying that, I decided to put some ching down on a series of CDs by philosophy professor Peter Kreeft. Part of Barnes and Noble’s Portable Professor Series, it is entitled “What would Socrates Do?” This is even better than the history set. But I do have to listen to it when I’m alone, for no one so far has shared my enthusiasm for the talks. The kids and spouse try to confiscate my iPod when I play them. They reach for the device and spin the wheel to something more to their liking. Oh well.

If I learn something from either of these guys I’ll have to blog about it some day. But for now, all I’ve learned is to play Kreeft or Davis when I’m alone and play the Beatles or Cat Stevens when I’m accompanied by strangers or strange ones, I mean loved ones.

Big Mistake

Our clock radio starts work at 5:00 a.m. every morning, Sunday’s included. Then at 7 o’clock sharp, it checks out until the next morning. We almost always come to sometime during its morning service. But during the winter months, when the sun is slow to rise, we usually continue in our horizontal positions a little longer, listening to the morning talking heads; or if sleep was not good, we return to slumber land to catch some more Z’s. Yesterday morning, 7 o’clock came earlier than usual, so I did something I almost never do. I turned on the tube, the one in the bedroom. On came TV preacher number one. He was plugging his latest book, from which he was about to preach. Not much caring for this clown, for both stylistic and theological reasons, I hit the channel button.

Lucky me, another TV preacher, yes it really must be Sunday. Fortunately this guy was not pitching his own book. But he was pitching his father’s book, and no not his heavenly father’s. And in similar style he was planning to preach from this book, which of course could be ordered from the number appearing right now on the screen. Just then it was time for the obligatory scan of the huge crowd. “Here’s the church, there’s the steeple, open it up and see all the people.” Well, enough of that, I thought. So over to the channel changer again.

What? Not another one. Yes, this must be my lucky day. Of course, I should have learned by now. But I was still too lazy to get vertical. So I watched. This was a local guy. I knew, because he wasn’t pushing his book, hasn’t written one yet, I suppose. But he was dancing around too much for me to pay attention, so I clicked yet again.

Well, what do you know, no preacher. Saved by the Rug Rats or Sponge Bob or some other cartoon I wasn’t interested in watching. Click. Chiropractor. Click. Oh no, another one. He holding something, is that a Bible? Nope, he’s got a book too. And he’s going to plug it as he uses it for the topic of his morning message.

I’ve had enough, rescue me History Channel. I start clicking faster, toward the big numbers on our cable box. But I don’t quite make it all the way there. I stop at an infomercial. (It’s good, you know, to some times build up a tolerance to charlatans.) He too is selling a book. (You know books are my weakness.) This character I’ve seen before. He rails against the drug companies, the FDA, the AMA and all the political lobbyists that help grease the wheels in Washington allowing these evil entities to get laws passed that protect these power brokers while fleecing the American public. He’s pushing herbs, but primarily his book. He’s got my sympathetic ear, because I agree with a lot of what he says. We could all stand to exercise more, eat better, and cut down on our fast paced lives. Besides, this guy’s fun to listen to—even though he’s got an annoying side kick that pretends to be confrontational, while feeding him softball questions.

I never made it to the History Channel. Instead I got out of bed and headed to my computer where the internet is always on, and I’m in no danger of encountering pitchmen. Pause, to take my tongue out of my cheek. I decide to do a google search on this last guy I was watching. And every bookstore out there comes up with special offers on his latest book. Oh how wonderful, are all the reviews. So I continue to scroll down. Finally someone not selling his book. It’s actually a criticism of this character. And it comes not from the AMA or the FDA or a drug company. It comes from a funny looking guy, seriously funny-looking, who practices acupuncture, has a real medical degree, pushes herbs, and also has a book to sell.

But the vibes were a little better with this guy. He’s an actual professor, and has criticisms and support for western, eastern, and alternative medicine. So I read a little more. And he actually has a decent blog, and his list of ten best “worst quotes” won me over. I thought I should include them here. It’s time to laugh. Laugh, so I don’t cry over the sorry state of Sunday morning television.

Top 10 Dumbest Quotes Ever
10. "If we don't succeed, we run the risk of failure."- Dan Quayle
9. "I was dramatically shaped by my grandmother and my aunts because they convinced me there was always a cookie available. Deep down inside I'm four years old, and I wake up and think out there, there's a cookie. Every morning I'm going, you know, either it can be baked or it's already been bought, but it's in a jar . . . somewhere. . . ."— Newt Gingrich, 1994
8. "My vision is to make the most diverse state on earth, and we have people from every planet on the earth in this state. We have the sons and daughters of every, of people from every planet, of every country on earth."— Former California Gov. Gray Davis, during the recall campaign
7. "My sister's expecting a baby, and I don't know if I'm going to be an uncle or an aunt."- a North Carolina State basketball player, explaining to his Coach why he appeared nervous at practice, 1982
6. "I can't really remember the names of the clubs that we went to."- Shaquille O'Neal on whether he had been to the Parthenon during his visit to Greece
5. "Any time Detroit scores more than 100 points and holds the other team below 100 points, they almost always win."- Basketball announcer Doug Collins
4. "Nobody in football should be called a genius. A genius is a guy like Norman Einstein."- Football commentator and former player Joe Theismann
3. "I'm a 4-wheel-drive pickup type of guy. So is my wife."-Baseball player Mike Greenwell
2. "We're going to turn this team around 360 degrees."- Jason Kidd, Point Guard, New Jersey Nets
And the number one dumbest quote ever is…“I love being a star because I get to travel overseas to places like Canada.”-Britney Spears
posted by Brian B. Carter, MS, LAc at 11:55 PM