Friday Night PicDump

The Hillbilly Vasectomy

After their 11th child, an Alabama couple decided that was enough, but they could not afford a larger bed.

So the husband went to his veterinarian and told him that he and his cousin didn’t want to have any more children.

The doctor told him that there was a procedure called a vasectomy that could fix the problem but that it was expensive. "A less costly alternative," said the doctor, "is to go home, get a cherry bomb, (fireworks are legal in Alabama) light it, put it in a beer can, then hold the can up to your ear and count to 10." The Alabamian said to the doctor, "I may not be the smartest tool in the shed, but I don’t see how putting a cherry bomb in a beer can next to my ear is going to help me."

"Trust me," said the doctor.

So the man went home, lit a cherry bomb and put it in a beer can.

He held the can up to his ear and began to count! "1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5". At which point he paused, placed the beer can between his legs and continued counting on his other hand.

This procedure also works in Tennessee, Kentucky, Louisiana, Arkansas, Mississippi, parts of Georgia, Missouri, West Virginia, AND All of Washington DC.

Life’s Rich Pageant – R.E.M. (25th Anniversary 2CD Box)

Continuing the reissue campaign of R.E.M. catalogue titles. the band will release their 1986 classic album, Life’s Rich Pageant, in a remastered and expanded set, planned for July 12. The album, which is planned as a 25th Anniversary set will contain the original tracks as well as a second disc of bonus demos from the album’s growth cycle. These 19 demos are referred to as the previously unreleased Athens Demos, studio recorded in 1986.

Capitol Records will release the 25th Anniversary title with extras included in the package (poster, 4 cards, expanded booklet with new notes, etc). It’s planned for CD/DD/and 180g LP (Mobile Fidelity).

Source: MusicTAP

How to Write Good

1. Avoid Alliteration. Always.
2. Prepositions are not words to end sentences with.
3. Avoid cliches like the plague. (They’re old hat.)
4. Employ the vernacular.
5. Eschew ampersands & abbreviations, etc.
6. Parenthetical remarks (however relevant) are unnecessary.
7. It is wrong to ever split an infinitive.
8. Contractions aren’t necessary.
9. Foreign words and phrases are not apropos.
10. One should never generalize.
11. Eliminate quotations. As Ralph Waldo Emerson once said, “I hate quotations. Tell me what you know.”
12. Comparisons are as bad as cliches.
13. Don’t be redundant; don’t use more words than necessary; it’s highly superfluous.
14. Profanity sucks.
15. Be more or less specific.
16. Understatement is always best.
17. Exaggeration is a billion times worse than understatement.
18. One word sentences? Eliminate.
19. Analogies in writing are like feathers on a snake.
20. The passive voice is to be avoided.
21. Go around the barn at high noon to avoid colloquialisms.
22. Even if a mixed metaphor sings, it should be derailed.
23. Who needs rhetorical questions?

Source: Ned Hardy

Friday Night PicDump

Ten the end the week with:

Alien Wedding Cake

Recent Faves

In prowling around the web, here are some of my recent favorites:

Happy Valentine's Day

I couldn't have said it better myself.

Lazy Post

Tonight is a lazy post. Just pics from my file.

and finally, one of my favorites

And So It Begins...

I'd heard about it from someone at church Sunday, but saw it last night for the first time. Attorneys advertising to sue for ANY "damages" due to the oil rig explosion and subsequent oil spill.

I'm not saying that some people aren't entitled but I can see every Tom, Dick and Boudreaux trying to get a piece of the action.

I pray that the judges will not allow the frivolous cases to go through.

Vacation '10, pt 1

The toughest part of vacations for me seem to be just deciding what I'm going to do. Maybe I make it more difficult for myself, but I don't think so.

The biggest obstacle is that Gretch cannot get away. I can come up with many possibilities if it were the two of us. But when it comes up to just me alone, that's when it gets tough.

First, I want to go someplace. A "staycation" doesn't do it for me. But I don't particularly like doing vacation-type stuff alone. I like to share the fun with someone.

I'd like to go back to Manhattan. I've loved it both times I've gone. Sure I needed a rest after it was over, but there was always more stuff I wanted to do when the trip was over.

There are some cities I'd like to visit that I've never been too. Chicago, Denver, Philly, Vegas and others. In the summer, I'd prefer to go north.

If I'd thought of it early enough I would have gone to the huge Comic-Con in LA this summer. It's so geeky that I would have to go by myself. But it's been long sold out.

So I cruise the net and bash my brains for ideas? If you have any, please comment.

Time Machine - EastEnders

I've been having fun this week. I know, I know, who said I could do that? I've been spending some time in 1985; 30 minutes at a time.

I found someone online who has complete year sets of the BBC television show, EastEnders. EastEnders is a British soap that I started watching on a public television station right after graduating undergraduate school in 1986. I was fascinated by it because it showed, however accurately or not, daily British life. It was not watered down or translated for American viewers. There were many times, especially at the beginning, that I would have trouble understanding what they were saying. It all fit in to my life-long fascination with the British. And at the time I believed that I must not have been the only one. The Tampa station published a pamphlet with British vocabulary for the show. I only wish I'd kept it.

These DVDs are rough recordings someone made with their VCR at the time and are transferred to DVD. They are totally home-made. And actually, the roughness makes it a little more fun.

I don't know how the show is now (because it is still on the air in England) but at the time is didn't seem quite so "soapish." Time flows by much quicker than on American soaps. I don't think I would have watched it otherwise.

So if I don't answer my cell when you call, I'm probably in 1985. I'll be back soon.

Ready for a Road Trip

Ok, I'm ready for a road trip. So, I got online to check out concerts this summer. There really aren't many good artists touring this summer that I want to see. Those few that I do, the available locations are on unworkable nights. Except for one.

Both Yes and Peter Frampton, on the same bill, are playing Biloxi on Friday night, June 11th. I can actually do that one. So, I've put the announcement out. But I'm determined to go whether anyone else goes or not. So now all I have to do is wait.

Other than that I don't know what I'm going to do for vacation this year. I pray that God inspires me.

Ruff Monday Morning

Journey: Weight Loss - Wow, it was really tough to get up this morning. It was a long busy weekend. Saturday I ventured a little off of the diet. But I won't be able to see what the damage is until I weigh in Wednesday. I discovered that my scales at home are a little tricky. I was just getting on it once. But yesterday I tried it three times in a row and got three different measures. Grrreat!!. I saw some cool looking hi-tek scales on the internet, maybe it'd be worth it.

Anyway, as far as the diet is concerned, what I miss most is being able to eat a big breakfast. The protein shake alone just doesn't cut it. The only other thing I could do would be the protein omelet. And that means getting up earlier to make it. That's really difficult to do these days. Maybe after the time changes November 1st.

The only time I really have trouble with the diet is when I'm feeling down or depressed. I suppose in the "old" days when that happened I would seek comfort food. And that is the least healthiest. So, the majority of my problems are physiological.

Thursday I have my annual physical exam. I wonder what Jeff is going to say about it. I hope I break the 50 lb mark by then. But I may have blown that this weekend. Oh well. I knew it was going to be a long journey.

Martha Aucoin Update

Martha will be having surgery this Thursday morning. Doctors don't expect any surprises or difficulties. Please keep her and the family in your prayers.

Prayer Request

Please pray for Martha Aucoin. She discovered she has stage 1 breast cancer. Found early, her doctor said that her prognosis is good.

It's Only Logical

Just Trying to Get A Head

Just What I Don't Need, But Love

Ok, as if I needed another source of food that I really really really shouldn't eat. Just opened down the street from my office is a new eating establishment, Burgersmith.

I tried it out last night and was very pleased. I especially liked the home baked, toasted bun. The menu isn't very big but it's big enough.

And unfortunately the prices aren't unreasonable. So as long as I must rely on self control, it looks like I'll be there at least two more times.

Signage

At least he'll see it coming.

Batman 3???

Is this a scene from Batman 3: The Revenge of Mrs. Joker.

On the rat-walk: Rodent headdress unveiled

A designer has unveiled a full face headdress made of real mice and rat carcasses on the fringes of London Fashion Week.

A model paraded up and down the catwalk in the headdress, which covered her whole face except her eyes - rat tails dangling down at the front and whiskers tickling her skin.

The creation was designed by French-born hairdresser and wigmaker Charlie Le Mindu, 22.

"I really like mice and rats. But everybody doesn't like them and I just wanted to show people it could be really beautiful," he told AFP after the show.

Asked if he was worried about how animal rights campaigners might react, he said: "It's better to make them [the rodents] beautiful than give them to the snakes."

Le Mindu was not on the official schedule for London Fashion Week but staged a show on the fringes on the final day of the event.

- AFP

Ways to be cool

Why didn't I have this when I was in high school?

10 Gnome Action Movies

1. Toadstool Impact
2. Die Now, Frolic Later
3. Fatal Buttercup
4. Bluebird: Down!
5. Soldier of Merriment
6. Death Wears A Pointy Hat
7. Honeydew Velocity
8. Sudden Cottage
9. Twinkle With Extreme Prejudice
10. The Chipmunk Who Came In From The Cold

by Jason Toon & Scott Lydon

Hey, don't pick on me

Scabs Bandages are band-aids bearing sweet little gross illustrations -- maggots, hatching spiders, eyeballs, or zippers -- for to speed your healing with stomach-churning levity. They didn't make fun stuff like this when I was a kid. Check it out.

Someone is making a cartoon of my life...

This could easily, and might possibly, be a discussion in my house. Click the toon to make it larger.

Game? What Game??

Yeah, yeah, it was fun and exciting and close till the end. But check out here what you might have missed:

Help for Monday Mornings

I came across this little site with a live kitten cam. I needed it on this dreary Monday morning;



I hope you like it too.

8 Unusual College Scholarships

by Kara Kovalchik and MentalFloss.com

Young people just don’t appreciate how easy they have it these days. Back when I was in high school, only the smartest or most athletic students were candidates for any type of college scholarship. Not anymore. Today’s students don’t have to be the best and the brightest to score some scratch – they can parlay a hobby, goofy talent or even a genetic luck of the draw into scholarship money. Take a gander at some of the more unusual opportunities that are available for eight subsets of the population (but first get the heck off my lawn.)

1. Dessert Enthusiasts
Is your sweet tooth serious enough to pursue a future as a pastry chef or chocolatier? The American Association of Candy Technologists offers an annual $5,000 scholarship to students enrolled at an accredited university who plan to major in food science and have a demonstrated interest in confectionary technology. Sounds like a great opportunity to expand both your waistline and your bank account!

2. Duck Callers
OK, this contest may border on the goofy, but the top prize is $1,500 in scholarship money, so if you’ve got a knack for calling ducks we say you’ve got nothing to lose but your dignity (and travel fare to Arkansas). The Chick and Sophie Major Memorial Duck Calling Contest is open to any high school senior in the U.S. Participants have 90 seconds to demonstrate their best hail, feed, comeback and mating calls. The top three placers also receive commemorative jackets, so get quackin’, er c rackin’, because $1,500 isn’t exactly chicken feed. (Me, I’m still looking for that ever elusive Bad Pun Scholarship.)

3. Fire Safety Experts (or literate people with decent luck)
Fire sprinkler systems save lives, and they might just save your neck if you’re sweating that college tuition bill. The American Fire Sprinkler Association scholarship program is not based on financial need; all interested students need to do is read an essay about fire sprinklers and then take a 10 question multiple choice test. Get this – the test is “open book.” You can print out the essay before taking the test! Each correctly answered question enters you into a drawing for a $2,000 scholarship, so if you ace the test, you’ll have ten chances to win.

4. Bagpipe Major s at Carnegie Mellon

One of the least competitive scholarships in the U.S.—it’s not unusual for there to be zero applicants—is the Carnegie Mellon University Bagpipe Scholarship. It offers $7,000 per year to a student who intends to major in bagpiping. (Andrew Carnegie loved bagpipe music, you see, and even brought a personal piper with him from Scotland when he emigrated to the U.S.) On the plus side of this offer, you get a kilt subsidy. On the minus side, class is held in the basement of the building due to the vehement complaints from neighboring classrooms upstairs. (Sorry, no link available. Yeah, like any of you would’ve clicked on it anyway.)

5. Creative Students at David Letterman’s Alma Mater
Because David Letterman was a C student at Ball State University, he established a scholarship at his alma mater that is awarded to telecommunications majors based strictly on the creativity of a submitted project, rather than a student’s GPA. The top prize is $10,000; previous winners have included a satirical script based on the novel Pride and Prejudice and a stop-action animated film of a penguin climbing a beer bottle.

6. People Looking for Unique Prom Attire
If you don’t mind looking like a dweeb (a sticky dweeb, to boot) at your high school prom, you could earn yourself a $3,000 scholarship check from the folks who make Duck Brand Duct Tape. You and your date simply need to fashion your prom outfits completely out of duct tape and then submit a color photo for consideration. Oh, and you have to actually wear those outfits to the dance, too.

7. Aspiring Children’s Television Stars
The Academy of Television Arts & Sciences awards three $10,000 scholarships annually in the name of the late, great Fred Rogers to college students pursuing a career in children’s media. Remember all those puppet shows you used to put on in the garage? Maybe that was an early indicator of your special talent…you are special, y’know.

8. Twins Who Don’t Hate Each Other
If you happen to be a twin and don’t mind spending an additional four years with your sibling, several schools offer scholarships for twins. Morris Brown College in Atlanta, Georgia, waives tuition for one twin when both enroll, Lake Erie College in Painsville, Ohio, offers half-off tuition for each twin, and Wilson College in Chambersburg, Pennsylvania, has 45% discounts available on tuition for female twins only.

"We've got to go back to the island"

Ok, I'm really looking forward to this.


Watch too and let me know what you think.

"Every" Simpsons Couch Gag

Disney Star Guitarist: Guitar Hero, But With Real Guitars

Any real guitarist will tell you that Guitar Hero has nothing to do with any real-world instrument. Disney, surprisingly, has created an educational and inoffensive spin that uses a real guitar as a controller.

Disney Star Guitarist, made with help from Washburn Guitars, uses the same style of "falling notes" that Guitar Hero and Rock Band use so well. But instead of cheap plastic buttons that mock my years of slaving over a sweaty fretboard, trying to learn some shitty Dave Mathews Band song so girls at college would sleep with me, Star Guitarist makes use of a real guitar. The special strings are included with the $200 game, and can be strung onto any standard guitar. Disney Star Guitarist, along with similar versions for keyboards and vocals, will be released for both PC and Mac this summer. [Wired]

Start your countdowns.

MercyMe - Cover Tune Grab Bag

One of the great things about the internet is talented people posting their creativity. Christian band MercyMe has a regular feature on their website called "Cover Tune Grab Bag" in which they make home made videos of their favorite pop and rock songs. Here is the latest.

Old Friends

I came across this comic strip from 1998. It's sad and so true. Will we ever learn?

11 Failed Beer Styles

1. Gruel Stout
   
2. Twice-Baked Lager
   
3. Turbo-Pilsner
   
4. Steam Beer That Is Still Really Hot
   
5. Stale Ale
   
6. Dry-Humped APA
   
7. Luxembourg Gray
   
8. Lambicarbonate of Soda
   
9. Insect Pale Ale
   
10. Bud Light With Brown Food Coloring Irish Stout
    
11. Hefvergnügen
    

By Toon, Lydon, Norman & Rutledge

And Now for Part Two...

Journey: Personal - I know, I know...I'm long overdue with my response to Quantum of Solace. There have been a lot of criticism and poo-pooing in the media that QoS is thin in plot, humor, etc. That it's not Casino Royale. My response to that is "Well, Duh!!" (in my best Jeff Foxworthy voice).

Of course it's not Casino Royale. Is it as good on it's own as Casino Royale, no. Let's face it. Casino Royale was a very hard act to follow. But QoS should be viewed as CR part 2. The beginning takes place literally just a few hours after the previous movie ended. And here Bond is searching for answers and Vespers killers. It is more brooding and introspective because of what Bond is going through. Without CR there could have been no QoS. Watch them back to back, it's one great ride.

Take out your copy of Casino Royale or rent it, watch it and then go straight to the theater and see Quantum of Solace. You'll see what I mean.

Oh, James...is that a gun in your pocket or...oh, it IS a gun..

Journey: Vicarious Adventure - OK, I'm definitely going tomorrow.



Check out this exciting review. Very different from the reviews that have been floating around about how bad the movie is. I'll be there as early as I can tomorrow.
Movie Review: Quantum of Solace Is the Perfect Bond Movie

What's that title again?

Journey: Living Though Movies - I can't help it, I can hardly wait...

After the great "Casino Royale" a couple of years ago, I've been waiting for this one. 

Anyone care to meet me at the theater?

Jesus Bring the Rain...

Journey: Personal - We're just not catching the very outer north-east of Ike. Before all is said and done, we might end up with more rain than we did for Gustav. We definitely got the better of that deal. It's been windy today but it was a hot damp wind. I'm glad for the rain.

The tension hasn't been as bad for obvious. But I'm still surprised of how many people are clueless. I was in a local eating establishment today when I heard the wait-person say "I heard it a hurricane was coming to Louisiana", with kind of a "whatever" look on her face. It was probably just as well.

I think God today. I think Him that I didn't come to us. I thank Him that Ike weakened as it approached and won't be so strong. I think Him for a strong house that is not effected by the winds. There is just so much to be thankful for.

Later.

Finis

Journey: Personal - In less than twelve hours it's all over. It's amazing that we never lost power. And we never lost cable television. Well, actually we did but not until after Gustav passed. I wouldn't have really cared except I was looking forward to watching the season premiere of Prison Break.

So all that's left is the cleanup. And there's enough of that. Take a look.

and

So the danger is over. Now comes the sweat.

Thank you, Lord, for your incredible blessings, love and grace.

Crecendo

Journey: Personal - So far it's been almost boring. But now the center is approaching, and it won't be boring any longer. The worst winds are close. It's still better than they predicted but it's still bad.

We still have power but its flickering. We may loose it all together soon. I'll keep Twittering (klcheshire) and FBing as long as I can.

It won't be too much longer now and Gustav will be history for us. Then there are the poor people that have to deal with all the rains and flooding when it's in its tropical storm mode.

I'm starting to pray about Hanna and my friends in Florida now. Remember, keep the focus on God.

Somebody's Knocking

Journey: Personal - Well here we go.

It was a very quiet night. Got nothing from the outer bands at all. I checked several times and it wasn't even windy.

So I'm guessing all of that is getting ready to change. I just went outside and stole Tim's newspaper (way to go paperboy) and felt very small droplets of water, but nothing steady.

I still hear someone hammering at something in the next neighborhood over. I quickly showered and filled the new tub with water. What a way to see how the drain stopper works.

I'm a little nervous but otherwise at peace. I continue to focus on God and His incredible love and mercy on me. Even in the worst case and I should loose any- to everything, I continue to be blessed beyond by deserving.

To all of my friends praying, thank you. I strongly believe it is helping. Continue to pray that God continues the refinement of my spirit, mind and body. I love you all.

Fear not, for I have redeemed you, I have summoned you by name, you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you walk through the fire, you will not be burned, the flames will not set you ablaze. For I am the lord, your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior. - Isaiah 43

Forgive that each post now sounds like it's the last one. I just never know which one is before I loose power. :)

Riders on the Storm

Journey: Personal - As I write this New Orleans is getting the first wave of the outer bands of Gustav. Earlier, at 6:15pm, we got the first rumblings of thunder and the wind started picking up.

There's been a lot of good news since my last post and this is probably my last before I loose power. The storm is weakening some and it sped up. All good for us. It'll still hit as a Cat 3 but better than the 4 or 5 some were predicting. So it's going to be intense, but will turn out ok.

Last night by the time I went to bed I was very uncertain about my decision to stay and ride it out. No, that's not exactly right. I was certain about the decision but felt uneasy about the situation. Of course there is an overall level of anxiety in the air all through the city. The hurricane is all everyone is talking about.

So this morning, since there wasn't a mandatory evacuation order, we had worship at church. I got up and did my usual thing. Of course our numbers were much lower than usual. But we worshiped. We worshiped good. We sang, laughed, prayed and focused on God instead of Gustav. It wasn't long before I wasn't even thinking about Gustav. Chris preached on worry. And it was some mighty fine preaching, too.

I was reminded how much fear I have in my life. Some of the fear is larger than others. Some are relatively new, some are as old as I can remember. Arguably most are unfounded in reality and maybe even completely irrational. I've made some progress on some. Some lie dormant for years, all but completely forgotten, only to rear up suddenly when I least expect it.

Categorically, many of the fears are insecurities. In speaking with some friends, they tell me that I give off exactly the opposite impression. That started in college. It was a time for me to "reinvent" myself. The me that I wanted people to see was confident, wise and secure in myself. The me that was on the inside was scared, doubtful and afraid of failure.

But God is working on me. He's trying to teach me not to be afraid. He's trying to teach me to trust. I'm getting there. This morning was a strong lesson. When there is something I am afraid of, the way I give it up to Him is to focus completely on Him. Blindingly all on Him. Sometimes that means prayer or worship. Other times it means focusing on Him through service to others. I'm not good at the serving others part. At least outside of the church. And what keeps me from being better at it is my insecurities and self centeredness.

Lord, break through my stubborn, sinful nature. Do what you need to to teach me. Put me up against a hurricane or worse yet, my own fears and insecurities.

Trust in the LORD with all your heart
and lean not on your own understanding;
in all your ways acknowledge him,
and He will direct your paths.
- Proverbs 3:5-6

Tom Petty, Get Outta My Head

Journey: Personal - At the point we're about 40 hours from the meat of Gustav. All of the models say it's headed straight for us. In chatting with friends in Florida, they're feeling the outer bands of it. It has gotten bigger.

Looking at this radar shows how much difference a little distance east or west can make. It's just now coming onshore of Cuba and already the models are starting to change.

What is that? You say you hear something? Sounds like "whistling in the dark"? Well, may be but that's going to turn into whistling in the wind. Yeah, Yeah, I may change my mind tomorrow. But that's tomorrow. But I do think if I left I'd worry more.

But right now I can't get that song from Tom Petty out of my head, "the waiting is the hardest part."

Thank God we have worship in the morning.

Watching & Waiting

Journey: Personal - It doesn't seem like it's been three years since Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. But now we sit in a similar state: watching and waiting to see what Gustav is going to do. It still won't hit land until probably four or five days from now but everyone is watching so closely.

I don't remember waiting in nervous anticipation of hurricanes growing up in Florida. The good Lord knows we got 'em. I also don't remember ever evacuating for one. Crawfordville was close enough to the coast to feel the mighty power of the storm but far enough that storm surge was not an issue. The same is here. We lost one really old roof several years ago, which was actually a blessing. It needed replacing and the insurance deductible was cheeper than a new roof. It think that was Lily.

Gretchen and I talked about our plans this morning. Without too much detail we agree that if it's really bad that she'll go inland. But unless there is a mandatory evacuation notice, I think I'm going to stay here. I guess it's the "guy" in me that wants to stay on the homestead. Like there's something I can do.

But I continue to pray. I pray that somehow that Gustav will do as little damage as possible. I pray that we will be spared the worst of it without somehow wishing it on someone else. But I especially pray for ears to hear what He wants me to do in this situation as well and daily. I think hearing has always been my weakness. Or maybe it's just the interpretation of what I'm hearing.

Anyway, I've changed the anthem in worship for Sunday. I'm going to sing Casting Crowns' "Praise You in This Storm". God's peace and protection be with us all.

I was sure by now
That You would have reached down
And wiped our tears away
Stepped in and saved the day
But once again, I say "Amen",
and it's still raining

As the thunder rolls
I barely hear Your whisper through the rain
"I'm with you"
And as Your mercy falls
I raise my hands and praise the God who gives
And takes away

I'll praise You in this storm
And I will lift my hands
For You are who You are
No matter where I am
Every tear I've cried
You hold in Your hand
You never left my side
And though my heart is torn
I will praise You in this storm

I remember when
I stumbled in the wind
You heard my cry
You raised me up again
My strength is almost gone
How can I carry on
If I can't find You

As the thunder rolls
I barely hear You whisper through the rain
"I'm with you"
And as Your mercy falls
I raise my hands and praise the God who gives
And takes away

I lift my eyes unto the hills
Where does my help come from?
My help comes from the Lord
The Maker of Heaven and Earth

Lord, You are the God of the Storm. Amen, and Amen.

He does exist...

Journey: Spiritual - Pastor Daniel Hixon has a blog called Gloria Deo: Wesleyan-glican ramblings. In this blog he discusses various timely issues on the state of the church as a whole as well and the United Methodist Church. I have thoroughly enjoyed his posts.

Daniel has two receint posts dealing with spirits, Satan and exorcism within the United Methodist Church that is fascinating and important. It speaks to many concerns I've had for several years. I recommend reading them before continuing.

As time goes by C.S. Lewis' The Screwtape Letters become less humorous and more frightening. These days it hits a little too close to home. I am a life long Methodist and have been concerned about our middle-of-the-road stance on too many issues. Once speaking with my formerly Roman Catholic wife, we were talking about her sisters fascination with "haunted" B&Bs. I told her that I would have nothing to do with it. She said that maybe because her sister was Catholic that she believe more in the "supernatural." I told her it was BECAUSE I believe in the spirit world that I don't want to have anything to do with them. Either placed like those are hoaxes or they're not. If they're not and there are spirits there, they are not benevolent. They are of Satan and are evil. Satan downplays things to make them seem harmless and curiosities. They are a trap. He does this in many ways in our culture.

Going back to my wife's comment, it told me the perception of Methodists. That we don't believe in the spirit world. And on a whole we don't. We're too busy trying to get the middle-of-the-roaders in our doors. And that means once they're in here, we don't want to do anything to upset them or to scare them off.

But I do believe in spirits. I believe there is a huge battle being fought all around us. And when we pray, we send angels into this battle on our and God's behalf. When we are tempted to sin, there are spirit forces at work. When we rebuke sin, it is a spiritual victory for us.

The devil is real. He/she is attractive, otherwise there would be no temptation. But Satan is cleaver in the most subtile of ways. And that's where he trips me up. It's with the Reese's Peanut Butter Cups or the McDonald's french fries. The BMW or new golf clubs doesn't do it for me (please disregard my previous posts about the iPhone - ooops).

Keep your eyes, physical and spiritual, open and alert.

Thanks Daniel, for reminding us again, it's not about us.

Sucking it Up

Journey: Manhood - This week I'm taking a "stay-cation." I am devoting a hugh portion of the week cleaning my "home office." This is a project that is so long overdue as to cause marital strife.

Why do I have so much trouble doing things like this? After all, I love it when it's nice and clean. I think a big part of my trouble is I have a hard time throwing things away. So I don't have a problem with putting things in their place, it's just that they don't have places.

So I'm sucking it up on this vacation time to be responsible. I must look towards the heavenly (and marital) rewards.

Big Geek

Journey: Geek - Ok, I'm feeling particularly geeky these days. Yes, I got my iPhone 3G, and yes, I was 10th in line of about 70 or so people. Now I'm blogging from my iPhone. It's sad and cool at the same time. Now I can sit in "another room" and blog away. Yeah, like I really do A LOT if blogging. But like most Geek motivations, "because I can" seems to be the reason.

Time Machine 1

Journey: The Past - I continue to add and communicate with people from my high school class on Facebook. I think we're up to 35 now. Many of them I have very little memory of because we traveled in different social circles. But I at least recognize the names. Some have been great enough to post pictures. What I need to do is find my yearbook from senior year. That will be my best reminder.

And I need to do that before the end of September. I have made all of the arrangements but one for Gretchen and I to meet many of them on a three day cruise out of Orlando. Gretch and I need to get away anyway. This will be a great way to do it.

So, before then, I need to find my yearbook and the two of us sit down and I'll bore her with a bunch of stories. 

Journey: Geek - 8 days and 19 hours till iPhone3g!! I'm so excited!

Memories, light the corners...

Journey: Personal - This weekend is my 30th high school reunion.I have a little trouble wrapping my mind around that. It's also been 22 years since graduated Florida Southern College. Anyway, this has prompted me to get in contact with some of the old crew. One of the ways I have been doing that is through Facebook.

It has been a wonderful tool not only for tracking down old classmates but relatives too. I found Mitch Wesley, my last remaining relative on my mother's side of the family. I also found Matt Champagne, whom I last saw in New York City, someplace in the midwest.

Originally I got into Facebook just as a social giggle at church. I took all of the Covenant emails I had on my home computer and sent invitations to join. I then created a page for Covenant. By now dozens have joined and many of us have a great time. Slowly, I'm adding high school and college friends too.

I won't be able to attend the reunion this weekend. But I'll be there in spirit and I'm marking the 40th down on my iCal right now.

The Heat is On

Journey: Technical - O Happy Day!!! One of the two announcements that I've been waiting for is here. Yesterday, Apple announced the iPhone3G.

As the ad says. "Twice the speed at half the price". All I need to do is decide if I want it in white or black. I think I'll stick with white. Now do I need it. Yes and no. No in that I have a cell phone. Yes in that it is sooo cooooll. Several times I almost bought one over the last year.

This will allow me to finally integrate the way I've wanted to. Now all of my contacts, calendars and even emails will be portable.

Apple didn't, however, announce the upgrades on the MacBooks. I was hoping they would and I could get one of the new ones before going to the worship leader conference in Austin next month. I guess it may be a Christmas gift.

Now What?

Journey: Manhood - Now that the 24 week course of Men's Fraternity: The Search of Authentic Manhood is over, now what?

Now is the day to day application of what I learned. Some of it is easier than other parts. There are several things that will take time to implement. There are some things that I have to re-learn. For instance, when am I being accommodating and when am I being passive? How can I tell the difference? For instance, when is letting my wife have her way about something actually being passive and I shouldn't do it? This is going to be very rough for me. It's not that I don't want to do it, I'm just having a difficult time understanding the subtleties of it all.

I think I have a handle on the mother issues. That was easier. I may go overboard on the boundaries and demand issues, but that's to be expected. I cannot make her happy.

In the fall we'll offer the course again. This time at two separate times, Sunday evening and Tuesday mornings. I'm really hoping that we can get a lot of guys to sign up. Because next year I want to do the second series, Men's Fraternity: Winning at Work and Home. Wish me luck this summer.

Ain't No Cure for the Summertime Blues

Journey: Personal - I am not, repeat, not looing forward to the summer. It makes me wish I would take a winter job in Greenland or Alaska or someplace that's not hot and sticky. Praise God I have a job that has air-conditioning.

But there are some good things also. I have the National Worship Leader Conference coming up in July (unfortunately in Austin so no break from the heat there) and a vacation somewhere in there if I can only decide what I'm going to do. Maybe I'll wait and take it in September when it might be cooler.

On other fronts, I lately I have been playing around with Facebook. And quite a few Covenant people have gotten on too. I've even found a long-lost relative, a friends over seas and the "girl" I got my first real kiss from in high school. However I have to fight the urge to spend too much time on it.

So, summer, here we go. I vow to keep up with this blog.

Approaching the End

Journey: Manhood - This is such an amazing, life changing ride. Since my last post we have finally reached the Biblical definition of a man. And it is really unbelievable. It is an incredible responsibility that I never realized. I never realized how drastic and all encompassing it is. It is a level of committment that I think most men would reject if they truly understood it. But the rewards are heavenly, not earthly.

I think the most difficult part of it is that I must disregard my feelings. That has been the single hang-up in taking all of this in. That has been my biggest problem. My entire downfall has been from acting on what I was feeling or not feeling about specific things.

There are four more weeks in the program and the next two sessions are about the marriage relationship. I'm really excited about it. The extent of all of this is so new. Now that I have the Biblical basis and the Godly promises behing it all, I think I can really do it and do it well. I'll stumble and make mistakes, but I'm going to make it.

Strength vs. Weakness

Journey: Job - I've been Director of Music here at Church of the Covenant for going on six years now. One of the reasons that I've been as successful as I have is that I am mainly and foremost a musician. My primary concern is the sound of the final product. All that I do in rehearsals points to that one goal. All of the duties not relating to this, I generally do not like to do. And it is those things that I'm not as good at doing.

Administratively I am weak. I don't like planning. Sure I do it four months in advance but that's so I don't have to do it for another four months. I get bored organizing and filing music.

Socially I am "lacking". I communicate frankly without regard to who needs "stroking" and complimenting. Within rehearsals if I don't address something or someone it's because it or they are doing fine. I was reinforced in that in undergraduate school.

Generally there is harmony within each of my ensembles. But when there is discontent, that is with me, I tend to let it bother me too much. I start second guessing my decisions, and especially, my ability to do the right thing. It hits in my vulnerability if self-doubt. I often joke that working in a church would be such a breeze if it weren't for people. A joke, yes. A reality, most certainly.

So today I'm second guessing and doubting. But after counciling with a couple of close co-staff, I'm starting to feel better about it. There is something lacking in my confidence and job security that when something like this happens I get a knot in the pit of my stomach. I should be confident in my job to not let it bother me.

Just some rocks on my job journey road.