This week we explore New Years' Traditions around the world. Where is Hogmanay celebrated? Who celebrates the Festival of St. Basil? Why do people set off fireworks and make noise? (Other than the obvious answer of "Because they can, and it's fun.")
And what are the words to the other verses to "Auld Lang Syne"? Yes, it actually has more than one verse. Find out all this and more at the linked site, and have a happy and safe New Years' Celebration!
Wednesday, December 31, 2008
Wednesday, December 24, 2008
O Come O Come Emmanuel
VERY cool video a friend just sent me.
Not sure what's up with the horse at the end; rather LOTRish, but the rest is just...wow.
Not sure what's up with the horse at the end; rather LOTRish, but the rest is just...wow.
Weekly Webness - Christmas Carols Online
In keeping with the season, this week's offering is Christmas Carols Online. This site features little stories about many popular Christmas Carols, including history, lyrics, and appearances in the media.
Monday, December 22, 2008
Monday Morning Musings
Okay, it's COLD outside. Not normal cold. Not something you can sing about. It's REALLY REALLY COLD. Nose-hair-freezing cold. Don't-go-outside-you-moron cold. So, of course, I went outside in it.
BUT, I have two - count 'em, TWO - lovely warm wool legwarmers that designatedknitter gave to me for my Robo-Leg so that my Metal Inserts don't get cold. And I gotta tell ya, after that looooong walk across the parking lots (about 1/3 mile or so) the ONLY thing that was warm was my right leg, between my knee and ankle. Coincidentally, that's the part that was covered by my two - count 'em, TWO - lovely wool legwarmers.
I also forgot my cane at home...so I'm having to be QUITE a bit more careful walking than I have had to be. Oh well, I'm sure it'll be good for me. Or something. Without the cane I do tend to "roll" from side to side, though, and i don't like doing that, so I'm working at not-rolling while walking. Which of course means I take a bit longer to walk anyway, so I'm out in the cold a bit longer. But at least RoboLeg isn't getting cold, because i have two - count 'em, TWO - lovely wool legwarmers.
Heard something incredibly stupid today on the radio. "Doctor Joel Wallick" was advertising for his new "energy pack". He's all about Colloidal Minerals and anti-doctor. Incidentally, the guy is a Veterinarian, not a people-doctor. And he's one I certainly wouldn't take my pets to see, I'll tell you what. This guy's new ad touts his energy pack that's made from "flower pollen." He even emphasizes that it's not made from BEE pollen - this is pollen that's taken right off the flowers! (Seriously, that's exactly what he says in the commercial. Just like that, too.)
Not bee pollen, flower pollen. News flash to the stupidpeople of the world: THIS GUY IS SNOWING YOU. Seriously. BEES DON'T MAKE pollen! They collect it from flowers. Right, just like "Doctor" Wallick. Only they're smaller. And probably smarter.
BUT, I have two - count 'em, TWO - lovely warm wool legwarmers that designatedknitter gave to me for my Robo-Leg so that my Metal Inserts don't get cold. And I gotta tell ya, after that looooong walk across the parking lots (about 1/3 mile or so) the ONLY thing that was warm was my right leg, between my knee and ankle. Coincidentally, that's the part that was covered by my two - count 'em, TWO - lovely wool legwarmers.
I also forgot my cane at home...so I'm having to be QUITE a bit more careful walking than I have had to be. Oh well, I'm sure it'll be good for me. Or something. Without the cane I do tend to "roll" from side to side, though, and i don't like doing that, so I'm working at not-rolling while walking. Which of course means I take a bit longer to walk anyway, so I'm out in the cold a bit longer. But at least RoboLeg isn't getting cold, because i have two - count 'em, TWO - lovely wool legwarmers.
Heard something incredibly stupid today on the radio. "Doctor Joel Wallick" was advertising for his new "energy pack". He's all about Colloidal Minerals and anti-doctor. Incidentally, the guy is a Veterinarian, not a people-doctor. And he's one I certainly wouldn't take my pets to see, I'll tell you what. This guy's new ad touts his energy pack that's made from "flower pollen." He even emphasizes that it's not made from BEE pollen - this is pollen that's taken right off the flowers! (Seriously, that's exactly what he says in the commercial. Just like that, too.)
Not bee pollen, flower pollen. News flash to the stupidpeople of the world: THIS GUY IS SNOWING YOU. Seriously. BEES DON'T MAKE pollen! They collect it from flowers. Right, just like "Doctor" Wallick. Only they're smaller. And probably smarter.
Wednesday, December 17, 2008
Weekly Webness - Online Devotions from LHM
Another Daily Devotion site: Daily Devotion from Lutheran Hour Ministries. They offer several ways to get that devotion, too: you can get it in your email box every day, you can visit the website, OR you can subscribe to their podcast and hear the devotion on your computer or MP3 player.
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
Weekly Webness - Online Devotions
Today's Weekly Webness is Portals of Prayer online, a daily devotion provided by Concordia Publishing House.
It has all the features of the hardcopy version of Portals of Prayer: an associated Scripture reading, an associated Psalm, and a little devotion and prayer.
You can also order the hardcopy version, AND they offer an audio version as well - just click the link and you can hear the day's devotion.
It has all the features of the hardcopy version of Portals of Prayer: an associated Scripture reading, an associated Psalm, and a little devotion and prayer.
You can also order the hardcopy version, AND they offer an audio version as well - just click the link and you can hear the day's devotion.
Tuesday, December 9, 2008
Fashion is Stupid
I went looking for a pair of flannel pajamas over the weekend. First I checked with my favorite store - the Internet. Hrm....flannel bottoms, but no tops. O....kay.....
Let's try the store.
Walmart: flannel pajama pants.
Target: flannel pajama pants. Oh, and these "charming" little useless bits of cloth with spaghetti straps that were supposed to be paired with the flannel bottoms. Excuse me? If I'm buying flannel pajamas, I'm not making a freaking fashion statement, I'm trying to keep warm. How is that stupid little bit of nothing supposed to help keep me warm????
Oh, and my personal favorite: "thermal pajamas". Longjohns. They were longjohns in happy colors with little flowers and bunnies on them. Which did, in fact, come with thermal tops as well, so I was all prepared to buy them, not caring much what they looked like, as long as they keep me warm, but apparently fat people don't get cold enough to warrant warm bottoms and tops, since the largest size they had for these thermal jammies were a size medium. Fabulous.
I finally found something that might actually work, and it was on sale, so at least there's that. But come ON. Flannel bottoms with what looks like an attempt at a "sexxxaaaayyyyy" top? Please. I want warm, people, not "sexxxxaaayyy". Market your stupid sexxxay stuff all you want, but give us some warm stuff for on top to go with the warm stuff on bottom, hey? Sell 'em as Separates - that way you can still market your stupid "flannel bottoms and useless tops" to people who want that sort of thing, and the rest of us can have our flannel bottoms AND flannel tops.
Let's try the store.
Walmart: flannel pajama pants.
Target: flannel pajama pants. Oh, and these "charming" little useless bits of cloth with spaghetti straps that were supposed to be paired with the flannel bottoms. Excuse me? If I'm buying flannel pajamas, I'm not making a freaking fashion statement, I'm trying to keep warm. How is that stupid little bit of nothing supposed to help keep me warm????
Oh, and my personal favorite: "thermal pajamas". Longjohns. They were longjohns in happy colors with little flowers and bunnies on them. Which did, in fact, come with thermal tops as well, so I was all prepared to buy them, not caring much what they looked like, as long as they keep me warm, but apparently fat people don't get cold enough to warrant warm bottoms and tops, since the largest size they had for these thermal jammies were a size medium. Fabulous.
I finally found something that might actually work, and it was on sale, so at least there's that. But come ON. Flannel bottoms with what looks like an attempt at a "sexxxaaaayyyyy" top? Please. I want warm, people, not "sexxxxaaayyy". Market your stupid sexxxay stuff all you want, but give us some warm stuff for on top to go with the warm stuff on bottom, hey? Sell 'em as Separates - that way you can still market your stupid "flannel bottoms and useless tops" to people who want that sort of thing, and the rest of us can have our flannel bottoms AND flannel tops.
Monday, December 8, 2008
Waiting, or copping out?
I had a thought over the weekend - when does "waiting upon the Lord" become actually "copping out so I don't have to make decisions"? Seriously, it'd be so easy to just sit and say, "well, God will tell me what He wants me to do, so I'm gonna sit back and just keeeep floating along until He tells me what He wants me to do with my life." Easy - no decisions, no responsibility for those decisions if they go wrong, because it's all God's Plan, you see?
But...I wonder at what point "waiting for God's Plan" becomes "so I don't have to do anything." How can you tell?
But...I wonder at what point "waiting for God's Plan" becomes "so I don't have to do anything." How can you tell?
Wednesday, December 3, 2008
More Lessons
I've been learning something new lately. Permanent hardware in Surgical steel or whatever they used -- gets really cold, really fast. Even when implanted into one's body.
See, unfortunately, my leg-with-hardware is on the windward side of me when I'm walking INTO work - the colder of the two to-and-from trips - so it gets nailed with a LOT of cold wind. Which, I have found out, makes the plate and screws in my leg really cold. REALLY FAST. The first time it happened, it felt like someone had just stabbed me in the leg with an icicle. YOW.
I wonder if I can find a place that sells legwarmers. Man, those looked stupid when I wore them as a teenager. I'm pretty sure they'll look even stupider now, but I do not care. I bet it'll help...if I can find 'em in my size.
See, unfortunately, my leg-with-hardware is on the windward side of me when I'm walking INTO work - the colder of the two to-and-from trips - so it gets nailed with a LOT of cold wind. Which, I have found out, makes the plate and screws in my leg really cold. REALLY FAST. The first time it happened, it felt like someone had just stabbed me in the leg with an icicle. YOW.
I wonder if I can find a place that sells legwarmers. Man, those looked stupid when I wore them as a teenager. I'm pretty sure they'll look even stupider now, but I do not care. I bet it'll help...if I can find 'em in my size.
Monday, December 1, 2008
More Advent Calendars Online
Here's one from the Liverpool Museums. It looks like it might be ads for stuff they have in their online stores, but the stuff looks kinda neat, nonetheless.
And one about Christmas Customs from around the world, at http://www.woodlands-junior.kent.sch.uk/customs/Xmas/calendar/.
Today's is about...well, I can't tell you, can I? That's part of the experience - learning things about other countries!
The one featured in "weekly webness" is more for kids - especially small children - but these two are more for bigger kids and adults, although obviously the age of "bigger kids" varies.
And one about Christmas Customs from around the world, at http://www.woodlands-junior.kent.sch.uk/customs/Xmas/calendar/.
Today's is about...well, I can't tell you, can I? That's part of the experience - learning things about other countries!
The one featured in "weekly webness" is more for kids - especially small children - but these two are more for bigger kids and adults, although obviously the age of "bigger kids" varies.
Weekend Revelry
Had a good time over the weekend. My parents came down, and we enjoyed having them visit. We all went to a friend's house for dinner, and we enjoyed that. Hung out most of the weekend at our house with my parents. I really liked having them visit. We had a lot of fun, even if it WAS mostly hanging around and watching NCIS. :D
Trying to arrange Christmas Schedules...whoof. Dunno what we're going to do about that yet. Last-minute schedules, yay. I swear, I'm last-minute-planophobic, but this year it's pretty much not going to work out any other way.
I hope things work out well.
Trying to arrange Christmas Schedules...whoof. Dunno what we're going to do about that yet. Last-minute schedules, yay. I swear, I'm last-minute-planophobic, but this year it's pretty much not going to work out any other way.
I hope things work out well.
NBC Rickrolls the ENTIRE UNITED STATES
Awesome. They Rickrolled the MACY'S THANKSGIVING DAY PARADE. THAT is the best rickroll EVER.
Weekly Webness - Online Advent Calendar
Doing this a couple days early, because the link is dated:
Get your own Online Advent Calendar. This looks to be geared toward kids, and they do have some pop-ups, but nothing obnoxious.
It's a cool way to count down the days till Christ's birth!
Get your own Online Advent Calendar. This looks to be geared toward kids, and they do have some pop-ups, but nothing obnoxious.
It's a cool way to count down the days till Christ's birth!
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
Star Trek - Camelot?
If you're a Star Trek fan AND a Monty Python fan, you'll really enjoy this.
They did a very good job of splicing ST scenes to fit the song, didn't they?
They did a very good job of splicing ST scenes to fit the song, didn't they?
Monday, November 24, 2008
I Have Laryngitis.
And it's entirely my own fault. I knew I was engaging in Risky Behavior when I did it. But I went ahead and took the chance anyway. I figured, what the heck, I haven't had a problem in the last 3-4 years, so maybe I'll get lucky again. Maybe the whole "laryngitis in November / December" trend is over, yeah?
So, even though I knew I was courting laryngitis, I went ahead. I committed to Engaging In Risky Behavior. You'd think I'd learn, wouldn't you? I mean, really, this does fall into the category of I Should Have Known Better. But noooo, I went ahead and did it. After all, I felt fine. Not even a little sniffle, for pete's sake! What could happen? No problem! And then, Saturday. A little cough...a little sniffle....turned into a big cough and getting hoarse.
Well, I'll just be careful. SURELY this can't turn into laryngitis overnight. I'll just get some orange juice tomorrow morning on my way to church. Laryngitis doesn't hit me that fast, I should be OK.
Remember, though, I was Engaging In Risky Behavior. Sure enough, I woke up Sunday morning with a good case of "Laryngitis on the way". You'd think I'd learn. You'd think I'd know. It's not like i haven't SEEN the trend. It's not like I don't know what causes it. But I still persist in Engaging In Risky Behavior. I still keep hoping that maybe this time, it'll be different. It never is.
Maybe, someday, eventually, I will learn.
NEVER, EVER commit to singing a solo in November or December.
For this is Engaging in Risky Behavior, and is always guaranteed to bring on laryngitis for the day of the solo. ALWAYS.
So, even though I knew I was courting laryngitis, I went ahead. I committed to Engaging In Risky Behavior. You'd think I'd learn, wouldn't you? I mean, really, this does fall into the category of I Should Have Known Better. But noooo, I went ahead and did it. After all, I felt fine. Not even a little sniffle, for pete's sake! What could happen? No problem! And then, Saturday. A little cough...a little sniffle....turned into a big cough and getting hoarse.
Well, I'll just be careful. SURELY this can't turn into laryngitis overnight. I'll just get some orange juice tomorrow morning on my way to church. Laryngitis doesn't hit me that fast, I should be OK.
Remember, though, I was Engaging In Risky Behavior. Sure enough, I woke up Sunday morning with a good case of "Laryngitis on the way". You'd think I'd learn. You'd think I'd know. It's not like i haven't SEEN the trend. It's not like I don't know what causes it. But I still persist in Engaging In Risky Behavior. I still keep hoping that maybe this time, it'll be different. It never is.
Maybe, someday, eventually, I will learn.
NEVER, EVER commit to singing a solo in November or December.
For this is Engaging in Risky Behavior, and is always guaranteed to bring on laryngitis for the day of the solo. ALWAYS.
Weekly Webness - Dirty Jobs
And the second of my two-part "series" on "Advertising TV Shows For Free": Dirty Jobs! Mike Rowe hosts this weekly show on the Discovery channel, wherein he finds - and works at - jobs where people get dirty. Jobs that we don't even realize exist, but that are necessary for our Modern Civilized Life to function.
He's done jobs such as septic service, suspension bridge maintenance, and sewer inspection.
The website features games, Q&A, Mike-Mail, and videos.
You can even submit your own suggestion for a Dirty Job!
He's done jobs such as septic service, suspension bridge maintenance, and sewer inspection.
The website features games, Q&A, Mike-Mail, and videos.
You can even submit your own suggestion for a Dirty Job!
Friday, November 21, 2008
Fashion?
The news this morning had a feature about podiatrists treating people with foot pain - and specifically, heel pain. Overwhelmingly, these people were women who were suffering from chronic foot and heel pain because of their choices in footwear. High, narrow heels with teeny weeny toe-boxes ending in pointy-toed shoes are the culprit, one said.
One woman confessed she had endured years of daily pain - many days so bad she could hardly walk - and still kept right on buying and wearing those idiotic shoes. And now she's got to have special custom orthotics just to walk - in ANY shoe.
This....this is incomprehensible to me. Willingly putting yourself through that much pain just for some stupid fashion? There are perfectly nice-looking flats and low-heeled pumps available! It boggles my mind that people deliberately cripple themselves for fashion. It's not like they need to wear THOSE shoes or else they die - no, it's just to "look good". I don't get it.
Maybe I'd "get it" if my mom had given in to my begging and pleading when I was in my early teens. Oh, I wanted those fashionable shoes too, but she said, "No, your feet are still growing and developing. I'm not going to allow you to permanently deform your feet by buying you those shoes." I got the sensible flats, with lots of room in the toes, and that did not create malformed feet.
Thanks, mom. <3 I get it now. And boy, am I ever glad you didn't let me get those shoes.
One woman confessed she had endured years of daily pain - many days so bad she could hardly walk - and still kept right on buying and wearing those idiotic shoes. And now she's got to have special custom orthotics just to walk - in ANY shoe.
This....this is incomprehensible to me. Willingly putting yourself through that much pain just for some stupid fashion? There are perfectly nice-looking flats and low-heeled pumps available! It boggles my mind that people deliberately cripple themselves for fashion. It's not like they need to wear THOSE shoes or else they die - no, it's just to "look good". I don't get it.
Maybe I'd "get it" if my mom had given in to my begging and pleading when I was in my early teens. Oh, I wanted those fashionable shoes too, but she said, "No, your feet are still growing and developing. I'm not going to allow you to permanently deform your feet by buying you those shoes." I got the sensible flats, with lots of room in the toes, and that did not create malformed feet.
Thanks, mom. <3 I get it now. And boy, am I ever glad you didn't let me get those shoes.
Monday, November 17, 2008
Weekly Webness - Mythbusters
This week I'm starting a 2-parter of "free advertising for shows I like." Today's is MythBusters, a TV show on the Discovery channel, where they tackle Urban Legends, Myths, and sometimes just weird stories to see if they're even possible. And they usually wind up blowing something up.
Information, entertainment, and explosions. What's not to like?
Behind-the-scene videos, extra footage, interviews, and cast bios are just some of the features on their website.
Information, entertainment, and explosions. What's not to like?
Behind-the-scene videos, extra footage, interviews, and cast bios are just some of the features on their website.
Tuesday, November 11, 2008
A Tribute to Veterans
Monday, November 10, 2008
Weekly Webness
Following up on last weeks' site, this weeks' feature is the National Geodetic Survey site. Here you can find any benchmark that's listed in the National Geodetic Survey database, and find out all about it, by clicking on the "Datasheets" link.
You can also obtain software from them - and there's a lot of it available.
Check out their Products, Projects & Services, and the Hurricane Images, too!
Neat site. Don't get lost!
You can also obtain software from them - and there's a lot of it available.
Check out their Products, Projects & Services, and the Hurricane Images, too!
Neat site. Don't get lost!
Monday, November 3, 2008
Weekly Webness
What's the weather? Just ask your friends at NOAA, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration! You can check out the forecast for your city, check out weather alerts for anywhere in the country, get tropical weather updates, and much more at their site.
Monday, October 27, 2008
BuzzyBlog
Buzzy Multimedia, the people that brought you the absolutely incredible set of Dresden Files Audiobooks, now has a blog! You can check it out here:
http://blog.buzzymultimedia.com
They have separate categories linked, so if you want to only read specific topics, such as Dresden Files posts, you can pick your category and read only the stuff you want. (Warning, they do have spoilers in some of those posts - and in some of the post headers - so if you haven't read ALL the Dresden Files material, you might wind up finding out more than you wanted to know).
They review shows, post "general musings" (including a post advocating KIDS NEED TO READ. I agree completely!), and advertise their products - and product information. I'm really happy to note, for example, that James Marsters, the guy who has done such a stellar job on the first 4 Dresden Files Audiobooks, has been signed to do all the Dresden Files on audio! Hooray!
He's done a fabulous job so far, and I'm very much looking forward to hearing more from him in the future.
http://blog.buzzymultimedia.com
They have separate categories linked, so if you want to only read specific topics, such as Dresden Files posts, you can pick your category and read only the stuff you want. (Warning, they do have spoilers in some of those posts - and in some of the post headers - so if you haven't read ALL the Dresden Files material, you might wind up finding out more than you wanted to know).
They review shows, post "general musings" (including a post advocating KIDS NEED TO READ. I agree completely!), and advertise their products - and product information. I'm really happy to note, for example, that James Marsters, the guy who has done such a stellar job on the first 4 Dresden Files Audiobooks, has been signed to do all the Dresden Files on audio! Hooray!
He's done a fabulous job so far, and I'm very much looking forward to hearing more from him in the future.
Weekly Webness
Today's featured Site:
Etiquette Hell! This site is chock full of stories about people who just don't behave the way they should. There are several categories, including Rude Neighbors, "Just Plain Tacky", and several categories for weddings. Why is it that they bring out the worst in people?
You can even submit your own story to Etiquette Hell; just follow the links!
Etiquette Hell! This site is chock full of stories about people who just don't behave the way they should. There are several categories, including Rude Neighbors, "Just Plain Tacky", and several categories for weddings. Why is it that they bring out the worst in people?
You can even submit your own story to Etiquette Hell; just follow the links!
Tuesday, October 21, 2008
Woohoo! Changed the template!
Sorta. I modified the template I had to take up more of the page. And changed some of the font colors. Yay! Now to scoot some of the widgets around...
Monday, October 20, 2008
Weekly Webness
For the week of October 20, here's the Weekly Webness!
This weeks' "featured site" is Unshelved, a daily Library Comic Strip. It features several librarians and their daily tasks. If you are a Librarian, were a Librarian, or know a librarian, you'll like this strip.
Weekend strips feature a weekly Book Review, summarizing and recommending a different book each week. Most, if not all, are Juvenile or Young Adult books, but many of them are still worth reading. I've found several books in their recommended list that are entertaining, including the Skullduggery Pleasant series by Derek Landy, the Percy Jackson and the Olympians series by Rick Riordan, (ooh, cool, I just found out that the fifth (and final) book in the series is coming out on my birthday, so obviously I must get it) and, most recently, Hidden Talents by David Lubar.
Check 'em out.
This weeks' "featured site" is Unshelved, a daily Library Comic Strip. It features several librarians and their daily tasks. If you are a Librarian, were a Librarian, or know a librarian, you'll like this strip.
Weekend strips feature a weekly Book Review, summarizing and recommending a different book each week. Most, if not all, are Juvenile or Young Adult books, but many of them are still worth reading. I've found several books in their recommended list that are entertaining, including the Skullduggery Pleasant series by Derek Landy, the Percy Jackson and the Olympians series by Rick Riordan, (ooh, cool, I just found out that the fifth (and final) book in the series is coming out on my birthday, so obviously I must get it) and, most recently, Hidden Talents by David Lubar.
Check 'em out.
Thursday, October 16, 2008
"Why I Can't vote For Barack Obama"
This just showed up on Snopes, marked "True". Huntley Brown, jazz pianist, composed an email saying why he can't vote for Barack Obama. While I dislike bringing politics to my blog, they're everywhere, and he makes several of the points I've been struggling to codify, so I'm gonna just take his.
I'm sorry, Mr. Brown, for the stupidity and evil you and your family must endure because you're standing up for morality and Christ-centered ethics. But thank you for standing up for them. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.
Why I Can't Vote For ObamaThere is a followup email to this located at http://www.snopes.com/politics/soapbox/huntleybrown.asp
By Huntley Brown
Dear Friends, A few months ago I was asked for my perspective on Obama, I sent out an email with a few points. With the election just around the corner I decided to complete my perspective. Those of you on my e-list have seen some of this before but it's worth repeating...
First I must say whoever wins the election will have my prayer support. Obama needs to be commended for his accomplishments but I need to explain why I will not be voting for him.
Many of my friends process their identity through their blackness. I process my identity through Christ. Being a Christian (a Christ follower) means He leads I follow. I can't dictate the terms He does because He is the leader.
I can't vote black because I am black; I have to vote Christian because that's who I am. Christian first, black second. Neither should anyone from the other ethnic groups vote because of ethnicity. 200 years from now I won't be asked if I was black or white. I will be asked if I knew Jesus and accepted Him as Lord and Savior.
In an election there are many issues to consider but when a society gets abortion, same-sex marriage, embryonic stem-cell research, human cloning to name a few, wrong economic concerns will soon not matter. We need to follow Martin Luther King's words, don't judge someone by the color of their skin but by the content of their character. I don't know Obama so all I can go off is his voting record. His voting record earned him the title of the most liberal senator in the US Senate in 2007.
NATIONAL JOURNAL: Obama: Most Liberal Senator in 2007 (01/31/2008)
To beat Ted Kennedy and Hillary Clinton as the most liberal senator, takes some doing. Obama accomplished this feat in 2 short years. I wonder what would happen to America if he had four years to work with.
There is a reason Planned Parenthood gives him a 100% rating. There is a reason the homosexual community supports him. There is a reason Ahmadinejad, Chavez, Castro, Hamas etc. love him. There is a reason he said he would nominate liberal judges to the Supreme Court. There is a reason he voted against the infanticide bill. There is a reason he voted No on the constitutional ban of same-sex marriage. There is a reason he voted No on banning partial birth abortion. There is a reason he voted No on confirming Justices Roberts and Alito. These two judges are conservatives and they have since overturned partial birth abortion. The same practice Obama wanted to continue.
Let's take a look at the practice he wanted to continue.
The 5 Step Partial Birth Abortion procedures:
A. Guided by ultrasound, the abortionist grabs the baby's leg with forceps. (Remember this is a live baby)
B. The baby's leg is pulled out into the birth canal.
C. The abortionist delivers the baby's entire body, except for the head.
D. The abortionist jams scissors into the baby's skull. The scissors are then opened to enlarge the hole.
E. The scissors are removed and a suction catheter is inserted. The child's brains are sucked out, causing the skull to collapse. The dead baby is then removed.
God help him. There is a reason Obama opposed the parental notification law.
Think about this: You can't give a kid an aspirin without parental notification but that same kid can have an abortion without parental notification. This is insane.
There is a reason he went to Jeremiah Wright's church for 20 years.
Obama tells us he has good judgment but he sat under Jeremiah Wright teaching for 20 years. Now he is condemning Wright's sermons. I wonder why now?
Obama said Jeremiah Wright led him to the Lord and discipled him. A disciple is one in training. Jesus told us in Matthew 28:19 - 20 "Go and make disciples of all nations." This means reproduce yourself. Teach people to think like you, walk like you; talk like you believe what you believe etc. The question I have is what did Jeremiah Wright teach him?
Would you support a White President who went to a church which has tenets that said they have a ...
1. Commitment to the White Community
2. Commitment to the White Family
3. Adherence to the White Work Ethic
4. Pledge to make the fruits of all developing and acquired skills available to the White Community.
5. Pledge to Allocate Regularly, a Portion of Personal Resources for Strengthening and Supporting White Institutions
6. Pledge allegiance to all White leadership who espouse and embrace the White Value System
7. Personal commitment to embracement of the White Value System.
Would you support a President who went to a church like that?
Just change the word from white to black and you have the tenets of Obama's former church. If President Bush was a member of a church like this, he would be called a racist. Jessie Jackson and Al Sharpton would have been marching outside.
This kind of church is a racist church. Obama did not wake up after 20 years and just discovered he went to a racist church. The church can't be about race. Jesus did not come for any particular race. He came for the whole world.
A church can't have a value system based on race. The churches value system has to be based on biblical mandate. It does not matter if it’s a white church or a black church it's still wrong. Anyone from either race that attends a church like this would never get my vote.
Obama's former Pastor Jeremiah Wright is a disciple of liberal theologian James Cone, author of the 1970 book A Black Theology of Liberation. Cone once wrote: "Black theology refuses to accept a God who is not identified totally with the goals of the black community. If God is not for us and against white people, then he is a murderer, and we had better kill him.
Cone is the man Obama's mentor looks up to. Does Obama believe this?
So what does all this mean for the nation?
In the past when the Lord brought someone with the beliefs of Obama to lead a nation it meant one thing - judgment.
Read 1 Samuel 8 when Israel asked for a king. First God says in 1 Samuel 1:9 "Now listen to them; but warn them solemnly and let them know what the king who will reign over them will do."
Then God says
1 Samuel 1:18 " When that day comes, you will cry out for relief from the king you have chosen, and the LORD will not answer you in that day." 19 But the people refused to listen to Samuel. "No!" they said. "We want a king over us. 20 Then we will be like all the other nations, with a king to lead us and to go out before us and fight our battles." 21 When Samuel heard all that the people said, he repeated it before the LORD. 22 The LORD answered, "Listen to them and give them a king."
Here is what we know for sure.
God is not schizophrenic.
He would not tell one person to vote for Obama and one to vote for McCain. As the scripture says, a city divided against itself cannot stand, so obviously many people are not hearing from God.
Maybe I am the one not hearing but I know God does not change and Obama contradicts many things I read in scripture so I doubt it.
For all my friends who are voting for Obama can you really look God in the face and say; “Father, based on your word, I am voting for Obama even though I know he will continue the genocidal practice of partial birth abortion. He might have to nominate three or four Supreme Court justices, and I am sure he will be nominating liberal judges who will be making laws that are against you. I also know he will continue to push for homosexual rights, even though you destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah for this. I know I can look the other way because of the economy.”
I could not see Jesus agreeing with many of Obama's positions. Finally I have two questions for all my liberal friends.
Since we know someone's value system has to be placed on the nation,
1. Whose value system should be placed on the nation.
2. Who should determine that this is the right value system for the nation?
Blessings, Huntley Brown
I'm sorry, Mr. Brown, for the stupidity and evil you and your family must endure because you're standing up for morality and Christ-centered ethics. But thank you for standing up for them. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.
Monday, October 13, 2008
How I Spent My Weekend
Or, "shopping for apples."
Originally I just wanted to get some apples, for pete's sake. The only orchard I know of that carries them is up by Pokagon, and I know they've done "Apple programs" at the Nature Center at Pokagon before, and of course I couldn't remember the name of the orchard so I couldn't look them up. Why did I have to look them up? Because I wanted to find out if they had Northern Spy apples in stock yet. Northern Spies just so happen to be the very bestest apples EVER, and very few places carry them anymore (in fact, the orchard-I-couldn't-remember is the only place I know of that still has 'em), and they're a later apple, so I didn't want to drive up there for nothing.
I did check the Yellow Pages, only they're not listed. So, next try - check out Pokagon's activity list and see if they're doing an apple program this year. That should mention it, right?
Sure, if they were doing one this month. Answer: No, they weren't - but they were doing a nifty program on Tree Identification, and Saturday was supposed to be a really lovely day, so we decided to go to Pokagon. Drive up there, attend the Tree ID program, learned how to use a Dichotomous Key (sort of like Choose-your-own adventure, actually. "Does it have this characteristic? Go to step 2. Does it have this OTHER characteristic instead? Go to step 3." Pretty neat, although the characteristics they had listed for "Box Elder" worked just as well for the wild grape vines they had growing there. Sneaky.)
Anyway, afterward we talked to the Naturalist who said, "Oh, yeah, it's G.W. Stroh orchard and I'll go and call them if you like to find out if they have any Northern Spies in stock."
Woohoo!
They did!
So we went and got some Spies and they're deeeeeeeelicious.
So, for future reference next year when I completely forget the name of the orchard again, and to give these wonderful people some free advertising, here's all the info in one handy place:
G.W. Stroh Orchard and Strawberry Farm
U-pick Strawberries, Farmers Market
Monday - Saturday 9 am - 6 pm
Sunday 11 am - 5 pm
September through March, June
2 1/2 miles north of Angola on SR 827
Contact: phone 260-665-7607
They've got a fabulous variety of apples, fresh-squoze apple cider, and various flavors of fudge. Including Kev's favorite, Maple Walnut.
Give 'em a visit.
Tell 'em Fred from Pokagon sent you.
Originally I just wanted to get some apples, for pete's sake. The only orchard I know of that carries them is up by Pokagon, and I know they've done "Apple programs" at the Nature Center at Pokagon before, and of course I couldn't remember the name of the orchard so I couldn't look them up. Why did I have to look them up? Because I wanted to find out if they had Northern Spy apples in stock yet. Northern Spies just so happen to be the very bestest apples EVER, and very few places carry them anymore (in fact, the orchard-I-couldn't-remember is the only place I know of that still has 'em), and they're a later apple, so I didn't want to drive up there for nothing.
I did check the Yellow Pages, only they're not listed. So, next try - check out Pokagon's activity list and see if they're doing an apple program this year. That should mention it, right?
Sure, if they were doing one this month. Answer: No, they weren't - but they were doing a nifty program on Tree Identification, and Saturday was supposed to be a really lovely day, so we decided to go to Pokagon. Drive up there, attend the Tree ID program, learned how to use a Dichotomous Key (sort of like Choose-your-own adventure, actually. "Does it have this characteristic? Go to step 2. Does it have this OTHER characteristic instead? Go to step 3." Pretty neat, although the characteristics they had listed for "Box Elder" worked just as well for the wild grape vines they had growing there. Sneaky.)
Anyway, afterward we talked to the Naturalist who said, "Oh, yeah, it's G.W. Stroh orchard and I'll go and call them if you like to find out if they have any Northern Spies in stock."
Woohoo!
They did!
So we went and got some Spies and they're deeeeeeeelicious.
So, for future reference next year when I completely forget the name of the orchard again, and to give these wonderful people some free advertising, here's all the info in one handy place:
G.W. Stroh Orchard and Strawberry Farm
U-pick Strawberries, Farmers Market
Monday - Saturday 9 am - 6 pm
Sunday 11 am - 5 pm
September through March, June
2 1/2 miles north of Angola on SR 827
Contact: phone 260-665-7607
They've got a fabulous variety of apples, fresh-squoze apple cider, and various flavors of fudge. Including Kev's favorite, Maple Walnut.
Give 'em a visit.
Tell 'em Fred from Pokagon sent you.
Weekly Webness
Kev suggested I start a feature that he's carrying on his blog. He calls it "weekly Webness" (which, incidentally, I keep wanting to mis-type as "Weekly WebMess").
What he does is link to a website he thinks is nifty and tells a little about it, and why you should check it out.
OK, so I'll start that, and hopefully I can remember to keep updating it!
Here's the first one.
This Is True. "This Is True" is a weekly syndicated newspaper column by Randy Cassingham. He summarizes several news stories and makes a pithy comment on each of them. Mostly humorous, sometimes thought-provoking, and always entertaining.
You can get This Is True for free in your email every week, too! (He also offers an expanded version, without ads, for a small yearly subscription fee.)
Check it out, and prepare to be entertained. You can also check out some of the other sites / lists he hosts, as they're all linked from his main page.
What he does is link to a website he thinks is nifty and tells a little about it, and why you should check it out.
OK, so I'll start that, and hopefully I can remember to keep updating it!
Here's the first one.
This Is True. "This Is True" is a weekly syndicated newspaper column by Randy Cassingham. He summarizes several news stories and makes a pithy comment on each of them. Mostly humorous, sometimes thought-provoking, and always entertaining.
You can get This Is True for free in your email every week, too! (He also offers an expanded version, without ads, for a small yearly subscription fee.)
Check it out, and prepare to be entertained. You can also check out some of the other sites / lists he hosts, as they're all linked from his main page.
Tuesday, October 7, 2008
Monday, September 22, 2008
Funniest TV Moment EVER
And here is my very most favoritest TV moment EVER. The (in)famous Tim Conway's "Elephant" speech on the Carol Burnett Show. He's completely cracking up all 4 on stage: himself, Carol Burnett, Vicki Lawrence, and Dick Van Dyke.
But it's Vicki Lawrence who gets the last laugh...
But it's Vicki Lawrence who gets the last laugh...
Saturday, September 20, 2008
Best "Whose Line" ever?
I was browsing the TV Tropes website (warning, it's a WIKI site, and you'll get lost for days in there. Seriously.) and they have a page called "Crowning Moment of Awesome". It's for moments in a TV show that you think are the best, the most wonderful - where they've completely surpassed everything they've done before or since.
One of the sequences suggested is this one, from "Whose Line is It Anyway" with Drew Carey hosting. The skit and inadvertent humor in it completely, thoroughly cracks him up. I don't think I've ever seen him lose it this badly on that show before.
One of the sequences suggested is this one, from "Whose Line is It Anyway" with Drew Carey hosting. The skit and inadvertent humor in it completely, thoroughly cracks him up. I don't think I've ever seen him lose it this badly on that show before.
Wednesday, September 10, 2008
Squelching Dissent?
Well. THIS is interesting. I just checked out http://www.ideateblog.com - the blog site for "JH Church's" Pastors (mentioned in my previous post "Any Random Volunteer").
I was correct that they are not publishing my comment / feedback about their blog post. However, I've also discovered something else - they have completely disabled comments altogether on their blog now.
To be fair, they could be trying a new template, or something glitched in the feedback system, so it may be temporarily disabled due to a technical issue, and will be back soon. However, I find it very interesting that immediately following at least two negative comments regarding their new practice of violating the Augsburg Confession, the comment feature on their blog was completely removed.
I have taken my objections to them, per Matthew 18, and they did not listen. Apparently saying "No, actually, you're wrong, and you're leading people astray" really isn't part of their ministry.
Nobody likes being corrected - I'm not saying they should enjoy it, but they should at least listen.
And, this is the same church that needed a $25,000 grant from the Synod to acquire a building to meet in, yet paid large amounts of money for some very bizarre, and very controversial billboards. (If you don't want to click - it's a video clip - the gist of it is that they paid to put billboards up that said things like "Boycott Jefferson Hills church" and "I hate Jefferson Hills church", signed "Satan".)
Most people didn't think they were effective, because they thought an atheist group put them out. It didn't get the Gospel out there. It didn't further Christ's message. It did make a lot of people disgusted with WHOEVER it was that put the billboards up, because they figured it was showing disrespect for the church. When they found out that Jefferson Hills church is the one that put them up, they were...let's just say "less than impressed".
Apparently they aren't improving with age...or wisdom.
I was correct that they are not publishing my comment / feedback about their blog post. However, I've also discovered something else - they have completely disabled comments altogether on their blog now.
To be fair, they could be trying a new template, or something glitched in the feedback system, so it may be temporarily disabled due to a technical issue, and will be back soon. However, I find it very interesting that immediately following at least two negative comments regarding their new practice of violating the Augsburg Confession, the comment feature on their blog was completely removed.
I have taken my objections to them, per Matthew 18, and they did not listen. Apparently saying "No, actually, you're wrong, and you're leading people astray" really isn't part of their ministry.
Nobody likes being corrected - I'm not saying they should enjoy it, but they should at least listen.
And, this is the same church that needed a $25,000 grant from the Synod to acquire a building to meet in, yet paid large amounts of money for some very bizarre, and very controversial billboards. (If you don't want to click - it's a video clip - the gist of it is that they paid to put billboards up that said things like "Boycott Jefferson Hills church" and "I hate Jefferson Hills church", signed "Satan".)
Most people didn't think they were effective, because they thought an atheist group put them out. It didn't get the Gospel out there. It didn't further Christ's message. It did make a lot of people disgusted with WHOEVER it was that put the billboards up, because they figured it was showing disrespect for the church. When they found out that Jefferson Hills church is the one that put them up, they were...let's just say "less than impressed".
Apparently they aren't improving with age...or wisdom.
Monday, September 8, 2008
Any Random Volunteer Will Do
I just found out about a new disturbing practice that at least one church is engaging in, thanks to The Rebellious Pastor's Wife. Apparently "JH Church" is engaging in something called "Communion Nights", wherein anyone who has received a "laying on of hands" can consecrate and distribute Holy Communion, held at a member's house.
Here is the entirety of my comment that I left for them. I have no confidence that they'll actually publish it:
This is very concerning to me, as a member of the Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod. We profess that the Augsburg Confession is a right and true interpretation of Scripture.
In Augsburg XIV, it is stated that "no one should publicly teach in the Church or administer the Sacraments unless he be regularly called."
The simple laying-on of hands is not a "regular calling" as the Church understands it. If anyone could become a pastor by simple laying-on of hands, then why bother with the Seminaries? Why have regular curriculum that our Pastoral Candidates must pass before becoming actual called and Ordained Pastors?
And, why are you, the supposed spiritual leaders of this church, so contemptuous and disdainful of your sacred calling that you would so eagerly and readily relinquish it to any layman that happened to show up and volunteer for it?
This is a very disturbing practice, in clear disagreement with the Augsburg Confessions and with Holy Scripture.
Please, I urge you to be responsible Pastors and reconsider these "Communion Nights". Keep the Office of the Holy Ministry for those who have been trained in it, rather than any random person that happens along and volunteers at the right time.
Here is the entirety of my comment that I left for them. I have no confidence that they'll actually publish it:
This is very concerning to me, as a member of the Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod. We profess that the Augsburg Confession is a right and true interpretation of Scripture.
In Augsburg XIV, it is stated that "no one should publicly teach in the Church or administer the Sacraments unless he be regularly called."
The simple laying-on of hands is not a "regular calling" as the Church understands it. If anyone could become a pastor by simple laying-on of hands, then why bother with the Seminaries? Why have regular curriculum that our Pastoral Candidates must pass before becoming actual called and Ordained Pastors?
And, why are you, the supposed spiritual leaders of this church, so contemptuous and disdainful of your sacred calling that you would so eagerly and readily relinquish it to any layman that happened to show up and volunteer for it?
This is a very disturbing practice, in clear disagreement with the Augsburg Confessions and with Holy Scripture.
Please, I urge you to be responsible Pastors and reconsider these "Communion Nights". Keep the Office of the Holy Ministry for those who have been trained in it, rather than any random person that happens along and volunteers at the right time.
Ew.
Eli Lilly offers pay-for-it parking on the weekends for activities in downtown Indy such as Colts games. Since this past weekend saw the first game of the regular season, and it was at the new Lucas Oil Stadium, it's to be expected that a lot of people showed up.
This morning, the detritus was still very much in evidence. Glass bottles, intact and broken, everywhere. Trash blowing all over the parking lot. Heck, full trash bags all over the parking lot.
People! Pick up after your nasty, disgusting selves! The lack of garbage cans means take your trash home with you, and throw it away there! You brought it in, you take it out!
Disgusting.
This morning, the detritus was still very much in evidence. Glass bottles, intact and broken, everywhere. Trash blowing all over the parking lot. Heck, full trash bags all over the parking lot.
People! Pick up after your nasty, disgusting selves! The lack of garbage cans means take your trash home with you, and throw it away there! You brought it in, you take it out!
Disgusting.
Thursday, September 4, 2008
Security by Wishful Thinking
There's a show on Tuesday evening called "It Takes A Thief", in which a couple of reformed thieves actually check out someone's house for security risks, then burgle the house with the owner's permission. (All on-camera, of course, since it's for TV.) Afterward, they show the burglary to the owners, tell them what went wrong and how things can be improved, then set up the owner with some free-to-the-owner basic security features, like better locks, new windows, whatever. It's rather an interesting look at how safe one's house really isn't.
This weeks' family was a 3-generation home. Grandma and Grampa, mom, and 2 kids - a teenager and a (I think) 10-year-old girl. First off, we find out that their house has been broken into, burglarized, and vandalized in the past, at least once (and possibly at least twice; I wasn't sure on that.) AND, apparently they don't live in the greatest area of town, contributing to the breakins and vandalism problems. So, you'd figure they'd be at least minimally security-conscious, wouldn't you?
You'd be wrong. They constantly left the front door unlocked "because Brittany (the teenager) kept losing her key." The window in the back of the house was unlocked because the lock was mis-adjusted. Mom kept hundreds of dollars of necessary money - Child-support money from her ex - loose in a bowl in the kitchen, where it was easily findable. Mom, Gramma and both daughters kept hundreds of dollars worth of costume jewelry, expensive shoes and designer purses, and clothing absolutely everywhere - jewelry all over the desks, dressers, bedroom furniture.
So, the breakin occurred. They actually let the family watch as they did a B&E on their house. The teenage daughter was appalled at the amount of mess that was created. (I still can't quite figure out what she thought they were going to do. They did tell the family "we're going to burgle your house, exactly the way someone breaking the law would do." Someone who's tossing your house to find easily-stolen, easily-sold items isn't going to be concerned with keeping the place looking neat, for heavens' sake.) The "B&E guy" broke in, collected all the jewelry, purses, clothes, shoes, and money, loaded it into his van and drove off in about 10 minutes.
The other consultant told the family exactly what was going on, and then the B&E guy brought the stuff back. The next day, they showed up at the house again to clean up the mess and install new security features, as well as fix the old ones.
All new deadbolts and door handles, they fixed the kitchen window, installed a dozen new windows, gave Mom a "security camera" (basically a webcam-style dealie that could hook up right to a computer or a VCR so she could tape the place), and a bolted-down small safe. They told Mom how to work everything, all the changed they'd done, and what NOT to do in the future - as well as how to be more secure. Then they left, with the agreement that they'd be back sometime in the next month to see if the family was doing any better, security-wise.
On their return visit, they discovered that the door was finally locked, but the teenage daughter left her window unlocked. Easy entry. Mom's essential Child-Support money was still in the bowl in the kitchen. All the jewelry? Still strewn all over the place. The safe not only hadn't ever been used, the packing material was still in it. The Security Webcam? Still in a bundle of wires on top of the TV - right where the Security guy had left it, three weeks earlier.
Mom made all kinds of excuses: "I forgot the money was there." "I've been busy." "I didn't have time to learn the software for the camera." They informed her that there WAS no "software to learn"; it was a plug-and-play camera, and 'busy' doesn't explain the wide-open window.
I was flabbergasted. A family that's been repeatedly burgled - and NOT by people that gave their stuff back, either - just couldn't be bothered to lock their doors, put their valuables away in a safe (provided TO THEM FOR FREE), or even keep their windows locked when they weren't home. It was as though they just kept thinking "if I pretend it didn't happen, it won't happen again!" I felt really sorry for the hosts of the show - they seem like they really want to help people. But the family they featured this week just didn't want to be helped, it seems.
Nothing you can do to help people that just aren't interested in help. Or, rather, that want you to wave a Magic Fairy Wand and Make All The Bad People Go Away. I think they didn't want help so much as they wanted things to be their way, without any effort on their part.
This weeks' family was a 3-generation home. Grandma and Grampa, mom, and 2 kids - a teenager and a (I think) 10-year-old girl. First off, we find out that their house has been broken into, burglarized, and vandalized in the past, at least once (and possibly at least twice; I wasn't sure on that.) AND, apparently they don't live in the greatest area of town, contributing to the breakins and vandalism problems. So, you'd figure they'd be at least minimally security-conscious, wouldn't you?
You'd be wrong. They constantly left the front door unlocked "because Brittany (the teenager) kept losing her key." The window in the back of the house was unlocked because the lock was mis-adjusted. Mom kept hundreds of dollars of necessary money - Child-support money from her ex - loose in a bowl in the kitchen, where it was easily findable. Mom, Gramma and both daughters kept hundreds of dollars worth of costume jewelry, expensive shoes and designer purses, and clothing absolutely everywhere - jewelry all over the desks, dressers, bedroom furniture.
So, the breakin occurred. They actually let the family watch as they did a B&E on their house. The teenage daughter was appalled at the amount of mess that was created. (I still can't quite figure out what she thought they were going to do. They did tell the family "we're going to burgle your house, exactly the way someone breaking the law would do." Someone who's tossing your house to find easily-stolen, easily-sold items isn't going to be concerned with keeping the place looking neat, for heavens' sake.) The "B&E guy" broke in, collected all the jewelry, purses, clothes, shoes, and money, loaded it into his van and drove off in about 10 minutes.
The other consultant told the family exactly what was going on, and then the B&E guy brought the stuff back. The next day, they showed up at the house again to clean up the mess and install new security features, as well as fix the old ones.
All new deadbolts and door handles, they fixed the kitchen window, installed a dozen new windows, gave Mom a "security camera" (basically a webcam-style dealie that could hook up right to a computer or a VCR so she could tape the place), and a bolted-down small safe. They told Mom how to work everything, all the changed they'd done, and what NOT to do in the future - as well as how to be more secure. Then they left, with the agreement that they'd be back sometime in the next month to see if the family was doing any better, security-wise.
On their return visit, they discovered that the door was finally locked, but the teenage daughter left her window unlocked. Easy entry. Mom's essential Child-Support money was still in the bowl in the kitchen. All the jewelry? Still strewn all over the place. The safe not only hadn't ever been used, the packing material was still in it. The Security Webcam? Still in a bundle of wires on top of the TV - right where the Security guy had left it, three weeks earlier.
Mom made all kinds of excuses: "I forgot the money was there." "I've been busy." "I didn't have time to learn the software for the camera." They informed her that there WAS no "software to learn"; it was a plug-and-play camera, and 'busy' doesn't explain the wide-open window.
I was flabbergasted. A family that's been repeatedly burgled - and NOT by people that gave their stuff back, either - just couldn't be bothered to lock their doors, put their valuables away in a safe (provided TO THEM FOR FREE), or even keep their windows locked when they weren't home. It was as though they just kept thinking "if I pretend it didn't happen, it won't happen again!" I felt really sorry for the hosts of the show - they seem like they really want to help people. But the family they featured this week just didn't want to be helped, it seems.
Nothing you can do to help people that just aren't interested in help. Or, rather, that want you to wave a Magic Fairy Wand and Make All The Bad People Go Away. I think they didn't want help so much as they wanted things to be their way, without any effort on their part.
Tuesday, September 2, 2008
Continuing Progress
All progress has its downside, apparently. My leg and ankle are continuing to improve - much more than I'd hoped, and faster, actually.
I can get around without the cane at all inside the house, and for short trips to places. I still need it for distances and for uneven ground, though, so I do take it with me everywhere. However, the habit of taking it everywhere, then parking it someplace so I can do whatever I needed to do tends to mean I leave it in random places around the house. This leads to a bit of frustration - you wouldn't think that canes could hide, would you - but you'd be wrong! Kev has heard "I wonder where I left it this time..." at least a dozen times now.
I'm moving faster too - just not as fast as I'd like, yet. (Of course). I'm just glad that things are getting back to "normal", whatever that may be.
I can get around without the cane at all inside the house, and for short trips to places. I still need it for distances and for uneven ground, though, so I do take it with me everywhere. However, the habit of taking it everywhere, then parking it someplace so I can do whatever I needed to do tends to mean I leave it in random places around the house. This leads to a bit of frustration - you wouldn't think that canes could hide, would you - but you'd be wrong! Kev has heard "I wonder where I left it this time..." at least a dozen times now.
I'm moving faster too - just not as fast as I'd like, yet. (Of course). I'm just glad that things are getting back to "normal", whatever that may be.
Monday, August 25, 2008
Personal Scents
AN OPEN LETTER TO PEOPLE WHO WEAR PERSONAL SCENTS:
To all of you who wear cologne, After-shave, perfume, eau de Toilette, Essential Oils, and other forms of stink-pretty,
PLEASE. I am begging you.
If you are wearing enough so that you leave a visible cloud of stinkpretty fumes behind you
If you are smellable from over 100 feet away
If you leave flowers (and humans) keeling over in your wake
If you cause people's eyes to water just by your presence in the building
If the largest line-item in your monthly household budget is your personal brand of stink-pretty
Please, please, please - whatever heinous B.O. you are trying to cover with this stuff, please see a doctor about it. Don't try to cover it up with other scents. You're killing me. I can smell you from my cubicle across the room. I shudder to think what it must be like to sit right next to you. You don't need to shower with your Scented Stuff. Really. Nobody likes Brut that much. Trust me.
To all of you who wear cologne, After-shave, perfume, eau de Toilette, Essential Oils, and other forms of stink-pretty,
PLEASE. I am begging you.
If you are wearing enough so that you leave a visible cloud of stinkpretty fumes behind you
If you are smellable from over 100 feet away
If you leave flowers (and humans) keeling over in your wake
If you cause people's eyes to water just by your presence in the building
If the largest line-item in your monthly household budget is your personal brand of stink-pretty
Please, please, please - whatever heinous B.O. you are trying to cover with this stuff, please see a doctor about it. Don't try to cover it up with other scents. You're killing me. I can smell you from my cubicle across the room. I shudder to think what it must be like to sit right next to you. You don't need to shower with your Scented Stuff. Really. Nobody likes Brut that much. Trust me.
Thursday, August 21, 2008
Google Security
As seen on Slashdot...
Turn on "Secure Browsing" when you log in to Google or Gmail. A tool that automatically steals IDs of non-encrypted sessions and breaks into Google Mail accounts was presented at the Defcon hackers' conference in Las Vegas.
Secure browsing is easy enough to accomplish, since Google has upgraded their feature set again, and now allows a single setting to permanently turn on SSL (Secure Socket Layers) and use it for EVERY action involving Gmail, not just logging in.
To turn on Secure Browsing, once you've logged into Gmail, pick "Settings" (Link at the top right hand of the page). When your Settings come up, it'll default to the "General" Tab. Scroll down to the bottom of the page, to "Browser Connection". Pick the radio button next to "Always use https", then save your changes. This WILL log you out of Gmail, so pick the "Sign Out" link, then sign back in.
You should notice your URL has changed slightly from what it was before.
The HTTP should now read https://www.mail.google.com
Stay secure!
Turn on "Secure Browsing" when you log in to Google or Gmail. A tool that automatically steals IDs of non-encrypted sessions and breaks into Google Mail accounts was presented at the Defcon hackers' conference in Las Vegas.
Secure browsing is easy enough to accomplish, since Google has upgraded their feature set again, and now allows a single setting to permanently turn on SSL (Secure Socket Layers) and use it for EVERY action involving Gmail, not just logging in.
To turn on Secure Browsing, once you've logged into Gmail, pick "Settings" (Link at the top right hand of the page). When your Settings come up, it'll default to the "General" Tab. Scroll down to the bottom of the page, to "Browser Connection". Pick the radio button next to "Always use https", then save your changes. This WILL log you out of Gmail, so pick the "Sign Out" link, then sign back in.
You should notice your URL has changed slightly from what it was before.
The HTTP should now read https://www.mail.google.com
Stay secure!
Monday, August 18, 2008
Geeky Shirt
Ever have days where you'd like to say this?
Tickled my funny bone.
And if you want one of your very own, you can order it from ThinkGeek.com
Not that I'm trying to tell all of my readers to go away. Just thought it was funny. :)
Tickled my funny bone.
And if you want one of your very own, you can order it from ThinkGeek.com
Not that I'm trying to tell all of my readers to go away. Just thought it was funny. :)
Wednesday, August 13, 2008
Happy Left-Handers Day!
Today, August 13, is International Left-Handers' Day. Happy Lefty Day!
The link is to the Left-Handers' Club website, where you can take surveys, learn more about left-handedness, see how lefty you are, and join their club for free!
The link is to the Left-Handers' Club website, where you can take surveys, learn more about left-handedness, see how lefty you are, and join their club for free!
Sunday, August 10, 2008
Nerdiest. Coin. EVER.
I was at the Midwest Geobash, stopped in at the "Fair Office" and decided to ask what geocoins they still had for sale. When I saw this one I said, "NERDIEST COIN EVER. I MUST HAVE IT."
So...I bought it.
So...I bought it.
Wednesday, August 6, 2008
Change of Subject
Well, I was gonna post a follow-up to Kev's post about God Providing. But, on second thought, he pretty much nailed it, so I'm gonna post a reply to Barb the Evil Genius instead. She asked if I know a cacher named SherwoodForest. (See comments to previous post). And, since I'm obviously sooooo on top of moderating my comments, she thought it didn't go through so had to ask again. :D
Answer: Yes and no. We know of him. Sadly, we never did have the privilege of meeting him in person. We have met several of his friends, and many, many people whose lives he has touched. There's even a cache "series" dedicated to him: the Badger Patrol. Our cache, Second Nature: MUSHROOMS! is a Badger Patrol Cache, in fact.
We've been told that he was instrumental in getting the MidWest GeoBash organized, and up and running. The Fourth Annual MidWest GeoBash is, in fact, going to be taking place in Kendallville, Indiana this very weekend (August 7, 8, 9, 10) at the Noble County Fairgrounds along State Road 6. Walk-ins are very much welcome, so if you want to see what this "geocaching" thingy is all about, please do stop by! People come from all over to attend. Last year we met people from Washington, New York, North Dakota, and Alberta! It's a lot of fun, a great reason to get out and enjoying the day, and for me it's a great way to exercise - and a fabulous reason to go walk around instead of sitting on my duff.
Oh, yeah, and the Pasta-meat sauce-Texas Toast dinner was a big hit. Especially the Texas Toast.
Answer: Yes and no. We know of him. Sadly, we never did have the privilege of meeting him in person. We have met several of his friends, and many, many people whose lives he has touched. There's even a cache "series" dedicated to him: the Badger Patrol. Our cache, Second Nature: MUSHROOMS! is a Badger Patrol Cache, in fact.
We've been told that he was instrumental in getting the MidWest GeoBash organized, and up and running. The Fourth Annual MidWest GeoBash is, in fact, going to be taking place in Kendallville, Indiana this very weekend (August 7, 8, 9, 10) at the Noble County Fairgrounds along State Road 6. Walk-ins are very much welcome, so if you want to see what this "geocaching" thingy is all about, please do stop by! People come from all over to attend. Last year we met people from Washington, New York, North Dakota, and Alberta! It's a lot of fun, a great reason to get out and enjoying the day, and for me it's a great way to exercise - and a fabulous reason to go walk around instead of sitting on my duff.
Oh, yeah, and the Pasta-meat sauce-Texas Toast dinner was a big hit. Especially the Texas Toast.
Monday, August 4, 2008
Flying Solo
Well, so to speak. I'm back to work (week 2!) and, due to some things around home that need attending, Kev stayed home this week. So, I'm on my own. Considering that last week the only time I needed a driver was for the last hour or so on Thursday on the way home, I'm thinking I should be OK this week. I'm planning on using the pool at Tina's every night, and icing the ankle and stuff, so I should be good for all of Thursday.
Of course, this coming weekend is the MidWest GeoBash, and unfortunately NOTHING we're going to be doing is close to parking, so I'll be doing a LOT of walking this weekend - so I expect Kev'll have to come back downstate with me next week.
Oh well...one day at a time.
As it is, I'm getting back quite a bit of speed, which is nice. And I'll probably be making dinner tonight. Pasta and meat sauce and Texas Toast. Always a popular option.
Of course, this coming weekend is the MidWest GeoBash, and unfortunately NOTHING we're going to be doing is close to parking, so I'll be doing a LOT of walking this weekend - so I expect Kev'll have to come back downstate with me next week.
Oh well...one day at a time.
As it is, I'm getting back quite a bit of speed, which is nice. And I'll probably be making dinner tonight. Pasta and meat sauce and Texas Toast. Always a popular option.
Tuesday, July 29, 2008
Second Day of Work
Well, I'm back to work. I've found the handicap parking slots, and for now I'm definitely parking there. Couldn't find 'em yesterday (turns out they're in the Employee Parking Lot, not the Contractor Lot) so I parked in the Contractor Lot. Today my walk was about HALF what it was yesterday, and a good thing, too.
Not doing too badly, actually. Ankle's a little cranky this morning; we'll see how it goes.
Not doing too badly, actually. Ankle's a little cranky this morning; we'll see how it goes.
Friday, July 25, 2008
How many dogs?
How many dogs does it take to change a lightbulb?
Golden Retriever: The sun is shining. The day is young. We've got our whole lives ahead of us. And you're inside worrying about a stupid, burned-out light bulb?
Border Collie: Just one. Not only that, but I'll replace any wiring that's not up to code.
Dachshund: I can't reach that stupid lamp!
Jack Russell Terrier: I'll just pop a new bulb in when I'm bouncing off the walls.
Toy Poodle: Are you kidding? If I change a lightbulb, I'll ruin my manicure. I'll just blow in the Border collie's ear and he'll do it. By the time he finishes rewiring the house, my nails will be dry.
Rottweiler: Go Ahead! Make me!
Shi-tzu: Puh-leeze, dah-ling. What are servants for?
Lab: Oh, me, me!!! Pleeeeeeze let me change the light bulb! Can I? Can I? Huh? Huh? Can I?
Malamute: Pfft. Let the Border collie do it. You can feed me while he's busy.
Doberman Pinscher: While it's dark, I'm going to sleep on the couch.
Mastiff: Mastiffs are NOT afraid of the dark.
Hound Dog: ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ
Chihuahua: Yo quiero Taco Bulb.
Pointer: I see it, there it is, right there...
Greyhound: It isn't moving. Who cares?
Australian Shepherd: First I'll put all the light bulbs in a little circle...
Old English Sheep Dog: Light bulb? Light bulb? That thing I just ate was a light bulb?
Golden Retriever: The sun is shining. The day is young. We've got our whole lives ahead of us. And you're inside worrying about a stupid, burned-out light bulb?
Border Collie: Just one. Not only that, but I'll replace any wiring that's not up to code.
Dachshund: I can't reach that stupid lamp!
Jack Russell Terrier: I'll just pop a new bulb in when I'm bouncing off the walls.
Toy Poodle: Are you kidding? If I change a lightbulb, I'll ruin my manicure. I'll just blow in the Border collie's ear and he'll do it. By the time he finishes rewiring the house, my nails will be dry.
Rottweiler: Go Ahead! Make me!
Shi-tzu: Puh-leeze, dah-ling. What are servants for?
Lab: Oh, me, me!!! Pleeeeeeze let me change the light bulb! Can I? Can I? Huh? Huh? Can I?
Malamute: Pfft. Let the Border collie do it. You can feed me while he's busy.
Doberman Pinscher: While it's dark, I'm going to sleep on the couch.
Mastiff: Mastiffs are NOT afraid of the dark.
Hound Dog: ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ
Chihuahua: Yo quiero Taco Bulb.
Pointer: I see it, there it is, right there...
Greyhound: It isn't moving. Who cares?
Australian Shepherd: First I'll put all the light bulbs in a little circle...
Old English Sheep Dog: Light bulb? Light bulb? That thing I just ate was a light bulb?
Tuesday, July 22, 2008
Meaning in Life
Strawberry's latest post asks how to "find the meaningful" in life. It's a good question, really. How do you find things that are meaningful, and how do you get motivated to DO them?
Sometimes "The Meaningful" just whacks you between the eyes. Sometimes it's incredibly obvious, and you can't help but do whatever it may be, because you're almost compelled to do so. For me, that's things like playing the organ for church. I have to play - at least on occasion. Heck, just going to service on Sundays is The Meaningful. And I do really miss it if I don't go in a particular week. And I'm sure that, if you asked her, Strawberry would tell you that teaching Sunday School is part of The Obvious Meaningful to her.
But sometimes The Meaningful doesn't present itself with a 2x4. Sometimes, making yourself go out and doing something becomes meaningful in retrospect. I don't mean just things that are "hafta do" things, like laundry and cleaning - I mean things like "go for a walk in the park" or "sit outside with a coffee (or tea) and just listen to the birds" becomes meaningful. Those are ways that Captain Spaulding and I use to "center" ourselves, and take a couple minutes out to remind ourselves that life isn't just about doing the things we MUST do every day. Life isn't just sleep-eat-work-sleep; it's the little stuff.
Likewise, Meaningful isn't always the Big Important Feelings and motivations. Many times I've had to force myself out of my chair, out of the house, to go do something that I really don't feel like doing. I don't feel motivated, I don't feel ambitious, and I sure as heck don't want to do anything except go back to bed. But I get up and do it, because either I've promised someone else I'll be there, or go do "it" (whatever it is), or because I'm just tired of being in my rut of sleep-eat-work-sleep. I certainly don't feel like whatever I'm going to do is meaningful. But later on, maybe while I'm doing whatever it is, or afterward, I look and see that yes, it was meaningful, and I feel better about myself for having done it. Even if it's just walking the dog around the block, or hiking in the woods, or...hey, even hanging laundry to dry.
The Meaningful is all around us. Sometimes it's obvious. Sometimes it's very, very hard to see. When it becomes nigh unto impossible to find, it's up to each of us to MAKE The Meaningful happen, rather than wait for it to find us. And, like many other things, the more Meaningful we "do", the easier it is to find it next time.
Sometimes "The Meaningful" just whacks you between the eyes. Sometimes it's incredibly obvious, and you can't help but do whatever it may be, because you're almost compelled to do so. For me, that's things like playing the organ for church. I have to play - at least on occasion. Heck, just going to service on Sundays is The Meaningful. And I do really miss it if I don't go in a particular week. And I'm sure that, if you asked her, Strawberry would tell you that teaching Sunday School is part of The Obvious Meaningful to her.
But sometimes The Meaningful doesn't present itself with a 2x4. Sometimes, making yourself go out and doing something becomes meaningful in retrospect. I don't mean just things that are "hafta do" things, like laundry and cleaning - I mean things like "go for a walk in the park" or "sit outside with a coffee (or tea) and just listen to the birds" becomes meaningful. Those are ways that Captain Spaulding and I use to "center" ourselves, and take a couple minutes out to remind ourselves that life isn't just about doing the things we MUST do every day. Life isn't just sleep-eat-work-sleep; it's the little stuff.
Likewise, Meaningful isn't always the Big Important Feelings and motivations. Many times I've had to force myself out of my chair, out of the house, to go do something that I really don't feel like doing. I don't feel motivated, I don't feel ambitious, and I sure as heck don't want to do anything except go back to bed. But I get up and do it, because either I've promised someone else I'll be there, or go do "it" (whatever it is), or because I'm just tired of being in my rut of sleep-eat-work-sleep. I certainly don't feel like whatever I'm going to do is meaningful. But later on, maybe while I'm doing whatever it is, or afterward, I look and see that yes, it was meaningful, and I feel better about myself for having done it. Even if it's just walking the dog around the block, or hiking in the woods, or...hey, even hanging laundry to dry.
The Meaningful is all around us. Sometimes it's obvious. Sometimes it's very, very hard to see. When it becomes nigh unto impossible to find, it's up to each of us to MAKE The Meaningful happen, rather than wait for it to find us. And, like many other things, the more Meaningful we "do", the easier it is to find it next time.
Friday, July 18, 2008
More PT News
The Therapist was VERY pleased with my progress today. I've increased weights on all sides of my foot on the "foot-weighty-thingy" mentioned before. (Hey, I dunno what they call it. He calls it "The Machine".) He gave me more flexing exercises to do there, AND had me doing some stairs exercises without using my arms too much, and then a couple more strength exercises for at home.
The newest one involved standing at the kitchen counter or somewhere I can use for support, then going up on my tiptoes, then back down, then up on tiptoes again, and so on. Once that becomes easier, I can move to balancing on my right foot, and just going up on tiptoe on the RIGHT FOOT ONLY. Whoof. Considering my balance ain't the greatest at the best of times, this is gonna be tough to do. Which, I suppose, is rather the point.
Anyway, he was happy with the progress. Looks like I'll definitely be on track to going back to work on the 28th.
We did ask him about going to things like the local fairs, and he said sure, just don't overdo. Good thing, since I already went to the Noble County Fair, and he said that was a good one to go to and he said we were handling it properly - exercise and push as much as possible without overstressing it and injuring it more.
So...yay! More positive progress!
The newest one involved standing at the kitchen counter or somewhere I can use for support, then going up on my tiptoes, then back down, then up on tiptoes again, and so on. Once that becomes easier, I can move to balancing on my right foot, and just going up on tiptoe on the RIGHT FOOT ONLY. Whoof. Considering my balance ain't the greatest at the best of times, this is gonna be tough to do. Which, I suppose, is rather the point.
Anyway, he was happy with the progress. Looks like I'll definitely be on track to going back to work on the 28th.
We did ask him about going to things like the local fairs, and he said sure, just don't overdo. Good thing, since I already went to the Noble County Fair, and he said that was a good one to go to and he said we were handling it properly - exercise and push as much as possible without overstressing it and injuring it more.
So...yay! More positive progress!
Wednesday, July 16, 2008
Sunday, July 13, 2008
More updates
Another update on, guess what, yeah, my ankle. Oh come on, you can't pretend you're surprised. That's pretty much what's occupying my time lately, innit?
Anyway. ANOTHER significant piece of progress today - I climbed the stairs to the balcony at church! All 17 of them! Yes, of course I counted. Did you really expect anything different? Anyway, I made it up with the help of the handrail and the cane. I practiced on the organ, and I figure I should be OK to play and back up to speed by the time August rolls around. AND I got to play my flute for service today! Yay!
The sermon today, by the way, was excellent. Pastor talked about the Parable of the Sower (it was the Gospel lesson.) He pointed out that there's always time for us to not only be the fertile soil, but to fall back into being the rocky, weed and thorn-choked soil. But Christ saves us from that! We have to be careful not to compare our "thorns" to someone else's, though. What seems easy to us (their thorns) is very difficult for them - and our very-difficult-to-deal-with-thorns are probably no big deal for someone else. I always appreciate his sermons; they get us to look just a little bit differently at the readings, and get us out of the "well, of course this is what that means because it's always meant just that."
Immerse yourself in the Word, and by the grace of God you will be fertile soil. Thanks be to God!
Anyway. ANOTHER significant piece of progress today - I climbed the stairs to the balcony at church! All 17 of them! Yes, of course I counted. Did you really expect anything different? Anyway, I made it up with the help of the handrail and the cane. I practiced on the organ, and I figure I should be OK to play and back up to speed by the time August rolls around. AND I got to play my flute for service today! Yay!
The sermon today, by the way, was excellent. Pastor talked about the Parable of the Sower (it was the Gospel lesson.) He pointed out that there's always time for us to not only be the fertile soil, but to fall back into being the rocky, weed and thorn-choked soil. But Christ saves us from that! We have to be careful not to compare our "thorns" to someone else's, though. What seems easy to us (their thorns) is very difficult for them - and our very-difficult-to-deal-with-thorns are probably no big deal for someone else. I always appreciate his sermons; they get us to look just a little bit differently at the readings, and get us out of the "well, of course this is what that means because it's always meant just that."
Immerse yourself in the Word, and by the grace of God you will be fertile soil. Thanks be to God!
Saturday, July 12, 2008
MUCH more progress!
I spent FAR more time in the pool yesterday than I have so far - and way more than I'd planned on. BUT, we had People Over (Hi Wade! Hi Rosemary! Hi Luke! Hi Naomi!) and so we had fun in the pool. I was very careful, and I still did my laps and stuff, though. Last night Kev started The Great Cane Search. He found one that we'd bought as sort of an "emergency just in case" cane that folds up, and set it up for me for "whenever".
Well, me being me, I had to try it out right away. It was rather hard going, and I had to hang on to him as well as the cane at first, but I found out I was Doing It Wrong. I had the cane on my right side - apparently the thing is supposed to be on the opposite side of the injured leg. Okay, whatever, seems counterintuitive but bygolly it works. I tried it out this morning the "right" way and OHMYGOSH it is sooooooooo much easier than using the walker!!!
Now I have to concentrate on "gait" and make sure my foot actually flexes and bends at the ball, pushing off the right way, instead of sorta sliding sideways and pushing off with the inside of my foot.
I'm so happy - if I can do the cane all day today without pain or problem, then I'll try it again tomorrow. And if I can use a CANE tomorrow, I can get up into the balcony (cane and handrail) where I belong, dangit. Of course, that's going to make going down to Communion problematic. One thing at a time. :D
Well, me being me, I had to try it out right away. It was rather hard going, and I had to hang on to him as well as the cane at first, but I found out I was Doing It Wrong. I had the cane on my right side - apparently the thing is supposed to be on the opposite side of the injured leg.
Now I have to concentrate on "gait" and make sure my foot actually flexes and bends at the ball, pushing off the right way, instead of sorta sliding sideways and pushing off with the inside of my foot.
I'm so happy - if I can do the cane all day today without pain or problem, then I'll try it again tomorrow. And if I can use a CANE tomorrow, I can get up into the balcony (cane and handrail) where I belong, dangit. Of course, that's going to make going down to Communion problematic. One thing at a time. :D
Friday, July 11, 2008
PT, Round 2
I went to my second Physical Therapy session today. Today's started with an ankle strengthening machine. This thing is REALLY cool. First I put my foot in a metal thing that is rather reminiscent, actually, of the foot-measury things that are at the shoe store. You know, the one where you stick your foot on the metal thing, back your heel up to the heel-cup, and slide the metal levers around until you find out that you wear a size 6 or whatever? Like that, only without the metal levers and the foot measury number things. And it had straps that went around my shoe. And spots for weights at the front, back, and both sides.
So the first thing he did was to put a 5-lb weight on the front and see if I can flex and lift up the weight. Yep, no problem...20 reps. Same with each side. The one exercising the OUTSIDE muscle of my leg was the worst. He said that's normal - even on a "good" leg it's the weakest muscle of the ankle. Well...good, I guess.
Then he put it on the back. 5 lbs. was easy...and so was 10, so he put 15 lbs. on that one. No surprise, he said, because the calf muscle is so much larger and stronger than the other ones. Then on to a gait-exercise between two parallel bars. Walk between them, using them for support, frontways and backways. He said I'm not doing bad, but I do need some work yet. Then a stepping exercise, stepping up on the bad leg, and back down (again with the parallel bars for assistance if needed).
Then....a bike ride? Yep, 5 minutes on the stationary bike! Yay! I can go bike riding again! (Only, given the fact that MY bike has much greater resistance than that one does, I think I'll wait a bit longer before trying it.)
Then stopping for some additional flexy exercises that he did on my ankle, trying to increase the range-of-motion. Not bad, he was rather pleased with the ROM I had so far.
Kev mentioned "hey, you'll be able to drive in no time if you keep that up," and the Therapist said I could try it NOW, actually, if I felt comfortable with it! So we tried it in a relatively empty parking lot, and I tried all the usual things: accelerating, braking, and I even had Kev do a couple "emergency stop" sessions, where I'd be driving along and he'd say, randomly, "NOW" and I was supposed to slam on the brakes. Everything went well, so I got to drive home. Actually, I took over all the driving from Sam's Club (had to do some shopping) to the library, then to the grocery store, then home! Ankle's all swelly and stuff, but it doesn't HURT.
I got to drive! I'm still not up to doing any marathon driving sessions - it did start to ache after about 15 minutes or so driving, and I had to take a break (fortunately, stopping at the library and the grocery allowed for that) and now I have a freezy pack on my ankle to try to get the swelling down a bit, but I got to drive. I'm so happy!
So the first thing he did was to put a 5-lb weight on the front and see if I can flex and lift up the weight. Yep, no problem...20 reps. Same with each side. The one exercising the OUTSIDE muscle of my leg was the worst. He said that's normal - even on a "good" leg it's the weakest muscle of the ankle. Well...good, I guess.
Then he put it on the back. 5 lbs. was easy...and so was 10, so he put 15 lbs. on that one. No surprise, he said, because the calf muscle is so much larger and stronger than the other ones. Then on to a gait-exercise between two parallel bars. Walk between them, using them for support, frontways and backways. He said I'm not doing bad, but I do need some work yet. Then a stepping exercise, stepping up on the bad leg, and back down (again with the parallel bars for assistance if needed).
Then....a bike ride? Yep, 5 minutes on the stationary bike! Yay! I can go bike riding again! (Only, given the fact that MY bike has much greater resistance than that one does, I think I'll wait a bit longer before trying it.)
Then stopping for some additional flexy exercises that he did on my ankle, trying to increase the range-of-motion. Not bad, he was rather pleased with the ROM I had so far.
Kev mentioned "hey, you'll be able to drive in no time if you keep that up," and the Therapist said I could try it NOW, actually, if I felt comfortable with it! So we tried it in a relatively empty parking lot, and I tried all the usual things: accelerating, braking, and I even had Kev do a couple "emergency stop" sessions, where I'd be driving along and he'd say, randomly, "NOW" and I was supposed to slam on the brakes. Everything went well, so I got to drive home. Actually, I took over all the driving from Sam's Club (had to do some shopping) to the library, then to the grocery store, then home! Ankle's all swelly and stuff, but it doesn't HURT.
I got to drive! I'm still not up to doing any marathon driving sessions - it did start to ache after about 15 minutes or so driving, and I had to take a break (fortunately, stopping at the library and the grocery allowed for that) and now I have a freezy pack on my ankle to try to get the swelling down a bit, but I got to drive. I'm so happy!
Thursday, July 10, 2008
More Improvement
Well, today was my second day in the pool. I did a few laps around the pool in both stances, and concentrated on "good gait", taking it very slow and making sure I was walking properly with BOTH feet, bending at the ball of the foot and so on. LOTS of stretchy work, and lots of good exercise.
The outside-the-pool payoff today was that I got to take two full steps without any support from the walker whatsoever. Yes, they were quick little limpy steps, but they were full-weight-on-the-right-leg steps!
No sharp pains, but I'm aching a bit now, I can tell ya....
Still improving, little by little.
I've moved up to the "red" TheraBand from the "yellow" one, too. I have to work my way through green, blue and black too, but I'll take what improvement I can get.
The outside-the-pool payoff today was that I got to take two full steps without any support from the walker whatsoever. Yes, they were quick little limpy steps, but they were full-weight-on-the-right-leg steps!
No sharp pains, but I'm aching a bit now, I can tell ya....
Still improving, little by little.
I've moved up to the "red" TheraBand from the "yellow" one, too. I have to work my way through green, blue and black too, but I'll take what improvement I can get.
Wednesday, July 9, 2008
First day of Pool! first day of Pool!
I felt like Nemo, bouncing on his dad. "First day of school! First day of school!" Only mine was "first day of pool! First day of pool!" I got approval from my Physical Therapist to go in the pool - in fact, he encouraged it, saying I'd be able to develop the proper gait in the pool before On Land, because obviously the water takes some of my weight off. :D Not mass, more's the pity. *snert*
However, I did, in fact, use the pool today. 2 or 3 full laps around the pool with no support whatsoever. Plus, I've discovered a new stretchy thingy I can do - scrunch down in the pool so my shoulders are just out of the water. Fold my legs under me, sort of half-kneeling, and it stretches the plantar and calf muscles beautifully. Which, of course, I need to do anyway! So I was very pleased with First Day Of Pool. I hope to go in the pool again each day this week, actually. It's a lot of work, but in the long run it'll help. Short run, too - I walked all the way back to the house without pain - and putting MORE weight on my right leg than I have been.
Being in the pool and walking on it is getting me to TRUST my right leg and ankle again, so it's having some immediate benefits too.
I expect I'll be hearing it later tonight when my ankle lodges its Official Protests, but for now I'm just REALLY happy that it worked so well.
However, I did, in fact, use the pool today. 2 or 3 full laps around the pool with no support whatsoever. Plus, I've discovered a new stretchy thingy I can do - scrunch down in the pool so my shoulders are just out of the water. Fold my legs under me, sort of half-kneeling, and it stretches the plantar and calf muscles beautifully. Which, of course, I need to do anyway! So I was very pleased with First Day Of Pool. I hope to go in the pool again each day this week, actually. It's a lot of work, but in the long run it'll help. Short run, too - I walked all the way back to the house without pain - and putting MORE weight on my right leg than I have been.
Being in the pool and walking on it is getting me to TRUST my right leg and ankle again, so it's having some immediate benefits too.
I expect I'll be hearing it later tonight when my ankle lodges its Official Protests, but for now I'm just REALLY happy that it worked so well.
Wedding Pictures! Round 2!
More wedding pictures!!!
Hugs after the ceremony.
Bridal party in the church
The whole party inside the church
Awwwwwwww...aren't they adorable?
WildStrawberry and her new husband. Ain't they sweet?
Hugs after the ceremony.
Bridal party in the church
The whole party inside the church
Awwwwwwww...aren't they adorable?
WildStrawberry and her new husband. Ain't they sweet?
Tuesday, July 8, 2008
Wedding Pictures!
Got lots of pictures from WildStrawberry of her wedding!
The Bridal Party
The Groomal Party
The Blushing Bride. Ain't she pretty?
Bride & Matron of Honor
Groom and Best Man Proxy
The Bridal Party
The Groomal Party
The Blushing Bride. Ain't she pretty?
Bride & Matron of Honor
Groom and Best Man Proxy
Monday, July 7, 2008
First Day of Therapy
w00t! I had my first therapy session. Now I'm all therapized and stuff. :D
He did some range-of-motion and flexibility and strength tests on me. Apparently I did very well, because he was quite pleased with what I could do. I am starting to walk with the walker, and not just hop around. It's tough going, but I'm getting used to it, and I'm so happy he specified what kind of pain was "acceptable". (A bit of an ache is OK while I'm exercising, but a SHARP pain is not.) He explained what would hurt, and why, and how and where I'd feel the exercises.
He gave me exercises for at home, and definitely approved of me using the pool to exercise in! Yay, I can go in the pool again!
I tried actually walking with the walker, too. It's slow going, but it's overall easier than hopping with it, so I'll be doing THAT as much as possible.
Yay! I'm starting to use my right leg again! Hooray!
He did some range-of-motion and flexibility and strength tests on me. Apparently I did very well, because he was quite pleased with what I could do. I am starting to walk with the walker, and not just hop around. It's tough going, but I'm getting used to it, and I'm so happy he specified what kind of pain was "acceptable". (A bit of an ache is OK while I'm exercising, but a SHARP pain is not.) He explained what would hurt, and why, and how and where I'd feel the exercises.
He gave me exercises for at home, and definitely approved of me using the pool to exercise in! Yay, I can go in the pool again!
I tried actually walking with the walker, too. It's slow going, but it's overall easier than hopping with it, so I'll be doing THAT as much as possible.
Yay! I'm starting to use my right leg again! Hooray!
Sunday, July 6, 2008
Looky! A real shoe!
My first Physical Therapy appointment is tomorrow, so we decided to make sure that my SHOES will actually fit, given the amount of edema still present in my foot and ankle.
Looky! We got it on my foot the first try, with NO pain, and NO problem! We decided I should wear it for a few hours to make sure that I won't have a problem with the shoe tomorrow. So far....2.75 hours and counting - and NO problems. No pain...and, in fact, it feels pretty dang good.
Looky! We got it on my foot the first try, with NO pain, and NO problem! We decided I should wear it for a few hours to make sure that I won't have a problem with the shoe tomorrow. So far....2.75 hours and counting - and NO problems. No pain...and, in fact, it feels pretty dang good.
Saturday, July 5, 2008
George Lucas in Love
AAAAAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA....
We were at Pastor and Lora's last night for dinner and fireworks. We had a GREAT time (and the food was fabulous.) Somewhere along the line, they suggested we check out a video called "George Lucas In Love".
So I did.
It's almost 9 minutes long, but it's funny.
We were at Pastor and Lora's last night for dinner and fireworks. We had a GREAT time (and the food was fabulous.) Somewhere along the line, they suggested we check out a video called "George Lucas In Love".
So I did.
It's almost 9 minutes long, but it's funny.
Tuesday, July 1, 2008
The Latest Report
Well, I got back from my latest Orthopedic appointment. The doc says I can lose The Boot and start walking as of Monday! Well...start trying to walk. I also start 3 weeks of Physical Therapy on Monday to get used to walking again.
He kept saying "gait training" and for some bizarre reason I thought he was saying GATE training and I couldn't figure out why they'd use a GATE. Anyway, at the end of it I should be OK to drive, and therefore OK to go back to work. Yay!
He kept saying "gait training" and for some bizarre reason I thought he was saying GATE training and I couldn't figure out why they'd use a GATE. Anyway, at the end of it I should be OK to drive, and therefore OK to go back to work. Yay!
Saturday, June 28, 2008
Saturday, June 21, 2008
TRUE Friendship
Just got this in my email and thought it was too good and therefore I must post it.
Are you tired of those sissy 'friendship' poems that always sound good, but never actually come close to reality? Well, here is a series of promises that actually speak of true friendship. You will see no cutesy little smiley faces on this card- Just the stone cold truth of our great friendship.
1. When you are sad -- I will help you get drunk and plot revenge against the sorry bastard who made you sad.
2. When you are blue -- I will try to dislodge whatever is choking you.
3. When you smile -- I will know you are plotting something that I must be involved in.
4. When you are scared -- I will rag on you about it every chance I get.
5. When you are worried -- I will tell you horrible stories about how much worse it could be until you quit whining.
6. When you are confused -- I will use little words.
7. When you are sick -- Stay the hell away from me until you are well again. I don't want whatever you have.
8. When you fall -- I will point and laugh at your clumsy ass.
9. This is my oath .... I pledge it to the end. 'Why?' you may ask; 'because you are my friend'.
Friendship is like peeing your pants, everyone can see it, but only you can feel its true warmth.
Remember: A friend will help you move. A really good friend will help you move a body. Let me know if I ever need to bring a shovel.
Send this to 10 of your closest friends, then get depressed because you can only think of 4.
Are you tired of those sissy 'friendship' poems that always sound good, but never actually come close to reality? Well, here is a series of promises that actually speak of true friendship. You will see no cutesy little smiley faces on this card- Just the stone cold truth of our great friendship.
1. When you are sad -- I will help you get drunk and plot revenge against the sorry bastard who made you sad.
2. When you are blue -- I will try to dislodge whatever is choking you.
3. When you smile -- I will know you are plotting something that I must be involved in.
4. When you are scared -- I will rag on you about it every chance I get.
5. When you are worried -- I will tell you horrible stories about how much worse it could be until you quit whining.
6. When you are confused -- I will use little words.
7. When you are sick -- Stay the hell away from me until you are well again. I don't want whatever you have.
8. When you fall -- I will point and laugh at your clumsy ass.
9. This is my oath .... I pledge it to the end. 'Why?' you may ask; 'because you are my friend'.
Friendship is like peeing your pants, everyone can see it, but only you can feel its true warmth.
Remember: A friend will help you move. A really good friend will help you move a body. Let me know if I ever need to bring a shovel.
Send this to 10 of your closest friends, then get depressed because you can only think of 4.
Thursday, June 12, 2008
Great, fabulous people
So I've been going to FWO (Fort Wayne Orthopedic) for my ankle / leg...for The Catastrophe. These people have been great. Incredibly helpful, understanding, sympathetic...they've been handling all the interactions with my insurance company, have been explaining things all along as to what to expect, how to handle things, etc.
Yesterday I had to go back in for a consultation with the Physical Therapists about my RoboCast. I've been having some problems with pressure points, even though I'm not walking in it yet. She saw me without an appointment, (I'd say I was a "walk-in", but I was more like a "hop-in"), assessed and fixed the problem within a couple minutes, and told me if I had ANY more problems to call them right away and they'd fix it again. :)
The Physicians' side - well, I needed another note. I'm having too many problems with going to work, and they weren't real happy about me going back to work in the first place. The check in staff was extremely helpful, and when they learned I was expecting another note saying I should stay home, but that the nurse who had it was on lunch, they went back looking for her and the note so we didn't have to wait.
They explained exactly what I needed from them to file for Short-Term Disability, and all we had to do was bring in the paperwork. They're handling the rest, including filing it with my Insurance Company.
These people are the greatest. They're skilled, they're knowledgeable, and above all, they're compassionate.
If you ever need an Orthopedist, I recommend Fort Wayne Orthopedic. There aren't enough words to praise them highly enough. Their help and compassion has made a trying ordeal far, far easier on both Kev and me.
Yesterday I had to go back in for a consultation with the Physical Therapists about my RoboCast. I've been having some problems with pressure points, even though I'm not walking in it yet. She saw me without an appointment, (I'd say I was a "walk-in", but I was more like a "hop-in"), assessed and fixed the problem within a couple minutes, and told me if I had ANY more problems to call them right away and they'd fix it again. :)
The Physicians' side - well, I needed another note. I'm having too many problems with going to work, and they weren't real happy about me going back to work in the first place. The check in staff was extremely helpful, and when they learned I was expecting another note saying I should stay home, but that the nurse who had it was on lunch, they went back looking for her and the note so we didn't have to wait.
They explained exactly what I needed from them to file for Short-Term Disability, and all we had to do was bring in the paperwork. They're handling the rest, including filing it with my Insurance Company.
These people are the greatest. They're skilled, they're knowledgeable, and above all, they're compassionate.
If you ever need an Orthopedist, I recommend Fort Wayne Orthopedic. There aren't enough words to praise them highly enough. Their help and compassion has made a trying ordeal far, far easier on both Kev and me.
Friday, June 6, 2008
My Laptop Works better!
Yesterday, a very kind friend came over and completely redid my laptop. Wiped the hard drive, reinstalled Windows, redid all the drivers and stuff I'd need - everything.
WOW.
My laptop screams now. He said 'twas nothing, but honestly, he was here for five hours making everything work the way it should, and making sure it all worked right before he left.
Thanks, James and Katie. Thanks for coming over, fixing my computer, socializing with us and generally being really good friends. You guys rock. And I'm glad you liked the venison.
WOW.
My laptop screams now. He said 'twas nothing, but honestly, he was here for five hours making everything work the way it should, and making sure it all worked right before he left.
Thanks, James and Katie. Thanks for coming over, fixing my computer, socializing with us and generally being really good friends. You guys rock. And I'm glad you liked the venison.
EWG.
I had my first visit to the Orthopedist yesterday. I got my old cast removed and a new one put on. This one's removable, and in fact I am encouraged - nay, required - to remove it several times a day and flex my ankle. I have never made so much effort for so little result in my life. After several flex-and-push sessions yesterday, my ankle has move approximately .0000000000001 mm. I think. Well, OK, I'm exaggerating but still.
I've been cleared to go back to work as long as I keep my leg elevated (duh). I also can't put any weight on it at all for another 4 weeks, which means that I'll be getting wheeled down the aisle for my best friend's wedding on June 28. :( Sorry, Kim. Oh well, like she said, we can always decorate the wheelchair. *snert*
My next appointment is on July 3, and I might possibly maybe kindasorta be allowed to perhaps eventually start to think about putting weight on the leg after that. Maybe.
But hey, at least I'm allowed to take a shower now, as long as we get one of those little shower stools and I take the cast off first.
Y'all, I almost passed out when they took the old cast off. Yikes. Pics below. There are 6 pics. The final 2 are of the actual incisions, so if you're kinda squeamish, don't look at those. They're nasty. I'll put in a squeam alert before them so you can close the window before you get there.
It's an Aircast! See the little nodule between the 2 straps on the leg? That's an air nozzle and I'm supposed to pump up the little airbags in the cast as the swelling on my leg goes down, so that my ankle doesn't jiggle around.
Look at all those pins! They had to take 2 sets of X-rays because the first set didn't show everything. They hadn't realized it was that far up the leg. Well...neither did I, to be honest. No wonder the initial set at the Emergency room didn't show all the breaks!
Sigh. Sometimes I hate being "thorough and detail-oriented". Like when I apply my mad Thorough, Detail-Oriented skillz toward screwing myself up.
Nasty, innit? I think the long lines are medical ink, not sutures. Although they did remove those yesterday, too. The nurse did an excellent job - I hardly felt them at all except for about 3. Those hurt, but it wasn't her fault. Just real sensitive areas, I guess.
I've been cleared to go back to work as long as I keep my leg elevated (duh). I also can't put any weight on it at all for another 4 weeks, which means that I'll be getting wheeled down the aisle for my best friend's wedding on June 28. :( Sorry, Kim. Oh well, like she said, we can always decorate the wheelchair. *snert*
My next appointment is on July 3, and I might possibly maybe kindasorta be allowed to perhaps eventually start to think about putting weight on the leg after that. Maybe.
But hey, at least I'm allowed to take a shower now, as long as we get one of those little shower stools and I take the cast off first.
Y'all, I almost passed out when they took the old cast off. Yikes. Pics below. There are 6 pics. The final 2 are of the actual incisions, so if you're kinda squeamish, don't look at those. They're nasty. I'll put in a squeam alert before them so you can close the window before you get there.
The New Cast
It's an Aircast! See the little nodule between the 2 straps on the leg? That's an air nozzle and I'm supposed to pump up the little airbags in the cast as the swelling on my leg goes down, so that my ankle doesn't jiggle around.The X-Rays
Look at all those pins! They had to take 2 sets of X-rays because the first set didn't show everything. They hadn't realized it was that far up the leg. Well...neither did I, to be honest. No wonder the initial set at the Emergency room didn't show all the breaks!Sigh. Sometimes I hate being "thorough and detail-oriented". Like when I apply my mad Thorough, Detail-Oriented skillz toward screwing myself up.
Take it off! Take it all off!
SQUEAM ALERT!
SQUEAM ALERT!
WARNING, WARNING WILL ROBINSON. ICKY PICTURES AHEAD. No, seriously.
Squeamish peoples close the window now.
Turn away from the post.
These are not the pictures you're looking for.
Move along.
OK, hey, if you're still here, don't blame me if you squick out.
The Inside Incision
SQUEAM ALERT!
WARNING, WARNING WILL ROBINSON. ICKY PICTURES AHEAD. No, seriously.
Squeamish peoples close the window now.
Turn away from the post.
These are not the pictures you're looking for.
Move along.
OK, hey, if you're still here, don't blame me if you squick out.
The Inside Incision
The Outside Zipper...erm...incision
Nasty, innit? I think the long lines are medical ink, not sutures. Although they did remove those yesterday, too. The nurse did an excellent job - I hardly felt them at all except for about 3. Those hurt, but it wasn't her fault. Just real sensitive areas, I guess.
Wednesday, June 4, 2008
Tuesday, June 3, 2008
A Good Time was had by all
Well, we missed out on the family party over the weekend. My brother, sister-in-law and their kids came out from Wyoming to visit, and our family had a get-together on Saturday so everyone could visit with them. And, of course, we had to Stay Home. (I would've been in too much pain to do it anyway - and riding sideways in the car for that long? Yikes. I'm gonna have to take a BUNCH of Ginger Root the days we go to & from Indy.)
So...anyway, they were kind enough to take a few hours out of their travel today to stop off for lunch in Auburn and visit with us. :)
We had a great time. I'm all wore out from hopping to the table and stuff, so I'm really glad that my parents are letting me borrow their wheelchair, and now my leg is kinda achy, but it was totally worth it.
So...anyway, they were kind enough to take a few hours out of their travel today to stop off for lunch in Auburn and visit with us. :)
We had a great time. I'm all wore out from hopping to the table and stuff, so I'm really glad that my parents are letting me borrow their wheelchair, and now my leg is kinda achy, but it was totally worth it.
Monday, June 2, 2008
Shiny!
Some very kind friends have decided to help cheer up Kev and me. They sent us SHINY THINGS!
Saturday's mail revealed that a very kind soul sent us a 2008 Groundspeak Volunteer coin (I expect Kev will scan it and so on soon, but right now I don't have a pic).
Today's mail brought another gift from another kind soul! An envelope containing the Allegany GeoBash Coin with the most adorable little owl on it:
AND a hilarious pin:
Saturday's mail revealed that a very kind soul sent us a 2008 Groundspeak Volunteer coin (I expect Kev will scan it and so on soon, but right now I don't have a pic).
Today's mail brought another gift from another kind soul! An envelope containing the Allegany GeoBash Coin with the most adorable little owl on it:
AND a hilarious pin:
Thursday, May 29, 2008
Wednesday, May 28, 2008
I been busy!
And not necessarily in a GOOD way. We HAD planned on a nice Memorial Weekend party. Unfortunately, when I jumped into the pool, I landed exactly wrong, for the first time EVER, and broke my ankle, but good. THAT was a rude and abrupt party welcome to Pastor, Lora and their kids!
Fortunately for me, Lora had the presence of mind to grab Kev's camera and take a couple pictures. Here's me getting loaded into the ambulance. Thanks, Lora! :D
Kev's got scans of my ankle X-ray's on his blog That first one is notated "14.5mm". The bone was over 1/2 inch out of location. Ewg. That explains why it hurt so bad!
Our friends have absolutely been great. Everyone took the abrupt end of the party graciously, and apparently they decided to take care of the food for us and put it away so it didn't go bad. Other friends rode in the ambulance with me and drove Kev down to the hospital, waited with us till my surgery was over, and then came back first thing the next day and sat with me in the room till I could leave.
We've had offers of food, errand-running, and any kind of help we might need. Thanks. We really appreciate it.
I'll probably post a pic of my foot later. It's all wrapped up in about forty miles of ACE bandages and plaster. Mentioning wrapping up, I'm watching a rerun of the Mummy Roadshow we taped earlier. Very cool. :)
Fortunately for me, Lora had the presence of mind to grab Kev's camera and take a couple pictures. Here's me getting loaded into the ambulance. Thanks, Lora! :D
Kev's got scans of my ankle X-ray's on his blog That first one is notated "14.5mm". The bone was over 1/2 inch out of location. Ewg. That explains why it hurt so bad!
Our friends have absolutely been great. Everyone took the abrupt end of the party graciously, and apparently they decided to take care of the food for us and put it away so it didn't go bad. Other friends rode in the ambulance with me and drove Kev down to the hospital, waited with us till my surgery was over, and then came back first thing the next day and sat with me in the room till I could leave.
We've had offers of food, errand-running, and any kind of help we might need. Thanks. We really appreciate it.
I'll probably post a pic of my foot later. It's all wrapped up in about forty miles of ACE bandages and plaster. Mentioning wrapping up, I'm watching a rerun of the Mummy Roadshow we taped earlier. Very cool. :)
Monday, May 19, 2008
What do they have in common?
What do blockbuster author Stephen King and politician Mike Huckabee have in common? They both have discovered the power of the "Blogosphere". Both have made ill-advised, and perhaps ill-thought-out comments that a blogger noticed, seized on, and blogged about. And oh, the fallout.
Stephen King commented that if you can't read, you wind up in the Army, in Iraq. Mike Huckabee made a bad joke about Obama being shot at.
The big difference? When King was called onto the carpet for his words, he lashed out,tried to backpedal furiously, and then said that his words were "construed as a knock on the US Military". (statement on his website, under "a message from Stephen".) When Mike Huckabee was lambasted for HIS comments, he apologized, took full responsibility for saying what he did, and called it "ill-advised". HE agreed he shouldn't have said it, and said he'd try to do better in the future.
No backpedaling, no trying to blame SOMEONE ELSE for his words, no trying to paint it as a "well, the conservatives (or liberals) made it out to be something it's not."
I know who, of the two of them, I still have respect for.
Guess what, Mr. King. It ain't you.
Stephen King commented that if you can't read, you wind up in the Army, in Iraq. Mike Huckabee made a bad joke about Obama being shot at.
The big difference? When King was called onto the carpet for his words, he lashed out,tried to backpedal furiously, and then said that his words were "construed as a knock on the US Military". (statement on his website, under "a message from Stephen".) When Mike Huckabee was lambasted for HIS comments, he apologized, took full responsibility for saying what he did, and called it "ill-advised". HE agreed he shouldn't have said it, and said he'd try to do better in the future.
No backpedaling, no trying to blame SOMEONE ELSE for his words, no trying to paint it as a "well, the conservatives (or liberals) made it out to be something it's not."
I know who, of the two of them, I still have respect for.
Guess what, Mr. King. It ain't you.
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Saw this pic and I HAD TO post it here for Tom, just in case he didn't see it elsewhere. Hope this brightens your day a bit, buddy - an...
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Well, so to speak. I'm back to work (week 2!) and, due to some things around home that need attending, Kev stayed home this week. So, ...
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I realized last night that I'm getting just a teeny little taste of what the people deployed to Iraq have to be feeling. For some reaso...
