Watch neato cartoons while maintining dignified, adult exterior. This one is cool. Makes me wanna run around the living room making lightsaber noises. I mean... I appreciate it for it's artistic merits. ahem.
25.4.05
Ok, we forgive you. Now don't blow it.
Renowned collegiate running back and crybaby Maurice Clarett surprised the world by being drafted in the third round by the Denver Broncos. In the past two years this kid alienated just about every one possible. He took illegal money from boosters, filed false police reports, bad mouthed his school on the eve of their national championship game, accused the coaching staff and atheletic director of NCAA violations, and sued his future employer, the National Football League. But he was also a 19 year old numbskull at the time. Now he's a 22 year old numbskull with a million bucks in his pocket. I really do hope he does ok and gets his attitude straightened out. Time will tell if he has matured or not. Perhaps the clearest indicator will not be how he handles the success, but how he handles it if he fails. Everybody deserves a second chance. Ok, Mo. Here's your second chance. Don't blow it.
23.4.05
Be the difference.
Ok. Most of you who read this blog are like minded enough to have one very big thing in common with the funky presbyterian. We are completely unsatisfied with the way the world functions (malfuntions!) and think things could be a whole lot better. Here is at least one way I'm sure most of you could be involved and make your community a better place for the people who need it the most. Be a Court Appointed Special Advocate for a child who has been abused, or neglected. I am thinking of a few of you specifically! If you think I mean you, you are probably right. Let's not just shake our heads and "tsk, tsk". Let's get something done. I plan to become a CASA just as soon as the formal leadership at Grace Central is in place. To misquote Bruce Cockburn "Let's kick the darkness 'till it bleeds daylight". Click the link above. Make your life an instrument of redemption in the life of a child.
Mr. Mom for the weekend
Charity took Sam and went to Michigan to visit her grandmother this week, leaving Jack and I at home to do the "Men's Weekend" thing which involves the watching of the cartoons, the playing of the star wars, the eating of the donuts, that kind of business. Anyway, I sent Jack upstairs to get dressed this morning and he emerges wearing a pair of baseball pants (you know the kind that come down just past the knee) and a superman pajama shirt. He was weilding lightsabers. (Plural). Not really what I had in mind, but I guess it'll do.
What's Rockin' the Reverend?
This week it's the entire Ryan Adams catalog. Heartbreaker, Demolition, Gold, Rock n Roll, Love is Hell Volumes 1 and 2, and soon there will be a new album out entitled Cold Roses. I know lot's of people don't like this guy. He's arrogant and self destructive. He's a loud mouth. I know all of this. But I also know he can write the heck out of a song. If you are thinking about checking him out, it is generally agreed upon that his best album is heartbreaker, though I actually think gold is far superior. (Rock and Roll is the least necessary album). Hurry up and listen to him now so when he self-destructs you can say you were a fan BEFORE he went "Kurt Cobain" on us.
21.4.05
Grace Central Recieves New Members
Sunday, April 17th Grace Central recieved about fifteen new people into membership. Here's the photo. We are growing slowly but surely.
20.4.05
Ha!
CHICAGO (AP) - Packing on the pounds is not nearly as deadly as the government thought, according to a new calculation from the CDC that found people who are modestly overweight actually have a lower risk of death than those of normal weight...
18.4.05
A Quote
For when you come to think of it, the only way to love a person is not, as the stereotyped Christian notion is, to coddle them and bring them soup when they are sick, but by listening to them and seeing and believing in the god, in the poet, in them. For by doing this, you keep the god and the poet alive and make it flourish. - Brenda Ueland
The quote above was snatched from a blog I read (birty.us). It makes a very good point. Unless that is, you are sick and in need of soup. Then it makes a bad point.
The quote above was snatched from a blog I read (birty.us). It makes a very good point. Unless that is, you are sick and in need of soup. Then it makes a bad point.
15.4.05
April 15th is Jackie Robinson Day!
Happy Jackie Robinson Day. In celebration of this fine holiday, I will be coaching the Robot Monkeys this evening. The Robot Monkeys are a co-ed t-ball team in the city rec center league for ages 5-7.
14.4.05
Helpful Tips for Effective Living
Here is some helpful advice I found online at a place called 43 folders.
1. Pencils are a great way to write things down.
2. Sharpen new pencils soon after you’ve bought them, so you can use them to write things down more easily.
3. Make sure you put gas in your car, or it won’t run very far after you’ve bought it, and then you’ll have trouble getting to work.
4. When you get letters from people, you can send a response by using some paper and one of the pencils I mentioned a little earlier. (Just make sure they’re sharpened!)
5. If you have a long list of things to do, make sure to do some of them sometimes. Make pencil marks by the ones that are “finished.”
6. When people ask you how you’re doing, it’s okay to say “Great! How about you?” They’ll probably have some kind of response, though, so be ready.
7. You can put recipes on your computer and look at them later to make food you like. Tip: You can also write down recipes using the pencils I mentioned earlier.
8. If you’re having trouble getting inspired about something, it’s probably because you’re temporarily lacking inspiration. That’s what you need. You need inspiration.
9. If you keep forgetting your house keys when you go out, you shouldn’t do that any more, or you’ll eventually lock yourself out.
10. It’s easy to remember how many teaspoons are in a quart (192) with this simple mnemonic:
Over nearly every hamburger, under nearly dead raccoons—every delayed nanosecond inculcates nearly every teenager you think wears oranges.
11. Cut your hair when it starts getting long or you’ll eventually have trouble wearing the hats that you enjoy.
12. Try putting your shoes on before you go to work in the morning. The ground is cold and sometimes there are sharp things on the sidewalk. Try taking the car if it has gas in it.
13. If you don’t like the song that’s playing on your stereo, you can put a different one on. This goes for television too, but with pictures.
14. When you get a check from the place you work, you can cash it to buy groceries, soda, and more of the pencils I mentioned earlier.
15. If you have a car, use some of the money you got from your check to buy gas, too.
16. Consider using a desk.
17. If you hear a weird scraping noise when you’re writing something down, make sure that your pencil is still sharpened.
18. Once you’ve sharpened your pencil, give yourself a reminder about the scraping noise.
19. If you forget to wear shoes to work and accidentally get a rusty nail in your foot, you should probably take it out eventually.
20. If you’ve bought pencils and already sharpened them, don’t use them to sign the check you got at work. Pencil marks can be erased fairly easily, then people can steal your money and you wouldn’t be able to buy groceries or soda or gas or more pencils. That’s a hack!
1. Pencils are a great way to write things down.
2. Sharpen new pencils soon after you’ve bought them, so you can use them to write things down more easily.
3. Make sure you put gas in your car, or it won’t run very far after you’ve bought it, and then you’ll have trouble getting to work.
4. When you get letters from people, you can send a response by using some paper and one of the pencils I mentioned a little earlier. (Just make sure they’re sharpened!)
5. If you have a long list of things to do, make sure to do some of them sometimes. Make pencil marks by the ones that are “finished.”
6. When people ask you how you’re doing, it’s okay to say “Great! How about you?” They’ll probably have some kind of response, though, so be ready.
7. You can put recipes on your computer and look at them later to make food you like. Tip: You can also write down recipes using the pencils I mentioned earlier.
8. If you’re having trouble getting inspired about something, it’s probably because you’re temporarily lacking inspiration. That’s what you need. You need inspiration.
9. If you keep forgetting your house keys when you go out, you shouldn’t do that any more, or you’ll eventually lock yourself out.
10. It’s easy to remember how many teaspoons are in a quart (192) with this simple mnemonic:
Over nearly every hamburger, under nearly dead raccoons—every delayed nanosecond inculcates nearly every teenager you think wears oranges.
11. Cut your hair when it starts getting long or you’ll eventually have trouble wearing the hats that you enjoy.
12. Try putting your shoes on before you go to work in the morning. The ground is cold and sometimes there are sharp things on the sidewalk. Try taking the car if it has gas in it.
13. If you don’t like the song that’s playing on your stereo, you can put a different one on. This goes for television too, but with pictures.
14. When you get a check from the place you work, you can cash it to buy groceries, soda, and more of the pencils I mentioned earlier.
15. If you have a car, use some of the money you got from your check to buy gas, too.
16. Consider using a desk.
17. If you hear a weird scraping noise when you’re writing something down, make sure that your pencil is still sharpened.
18. Once you’ve sharpened your pencil, give yourself a reminder about the scraping noise.
19. If you forget to wear shoes to work and accidentally get a rusty nail in your foot, you should probably take it out eventually.
20. If you’ve bought pencils and already sharpened them, don’t use them to sign the check you got at work. Pencil marks can be erased fairly easily, then people can steal your money and you wouldn’t be able to buy groceries or soda or gas or more pencils. That’s a hack!
Family Day Concludes With Construction of Couch Cushion Fort!
Thursdays are my day off. I usually try to spend lots of time with the family on Thursdays. Today was a good day full of family fun. We went to lunch at Taco Bell (Jack's choice) and then drove up to Clintonville where we stopped at Cover to Cover (a children's book store) and looked for a copy of Aesop's Fables. No luck. We bought Sam a floppy stuffed Grover doll, upon which he promptly vomitted (squash). Elmo gets all the press these days, but everybody knows Grover is way cooler. Then we drove up to Old Worthington and walked around. Grabbed some ice cream at Grater's and then returned home. Charity put Sam down for another nap (no dice) while Jack and I walked to a park known in our family as "Hello Papa Park" (it's a long story). We returned home and after dinner, the boys and I constructed a fort from couch cushions and dining room chairs. We sat in it and watched the Justice League battle the evil outerspace alien invaders. The good guys won. Again. So, now the boys are in bed and I'm turing my attention to some work I must get done before tomorrow.
I'd really like to write more tonight. The way I see it, the Christian life is a lot like building a couch cushion fort in the living room. But alas, I have no time. Maybe next week.
I'd really like to write more tonight. The way I see it, the Christian life is a lot like building a couch cushion fort in the living room. But alas, I have no time. Maybe next week.
13.4.05
A Secret Website
Click the above link to read a sobering website. If this does not break our hearts, there is something wrong with us.
Artist of the Week: Chuck Close
Chuck Close was born in 1940 and has worked for 30 years plus. He emerged as a talented photorealist who did mostly portraits. Big ones. If you've enver seen a Chuck Close work up close, you won't forget it. Here's a favorite of mine. Be sure to check him out on line. He has an extremely unique method of working which I think you'll appreciate.
12.4.05
Helpful Christian assists Funky Presbyterian in development of humility.
While eating lunch today (I'll not say with whom), these words were spoken to me in the presence of my peers:
"Who wants a short, fat, bald pastor?"
Thank you. Thank you very much. (Now, who wants a doc marten in the adam's apple?)
"Who wants a short, fat, bald pastor?"
Thank you. Thank you very much. (Now, who wants a doc marten in the adam's apple?)
Listening to Mark Heard Today
He was never very famous and he died pretty young. His music now sounds slightly dated to me, but the lyrics are as poignant as ever. When I listen to this guy sing, it makes me love God more and gives me courage for life. Can't explain it, really. Here's one of my favorites. I needed to hear these words this morning. Hope you like it.
Orphans Of God - by Mark Heard
I will rise from my bed with a question again
As I work to inherit the restless wind
The view from my window is cold and obscene
I want to touch what my eyes haven't seen
But they have packaged our virtue in cellulose dreams
And sold us the remnants 'til our pockets are clean
'Til our hopes fall 'round our feet
Like the dust of dead leaves
And we end up looking like what we believe
We are soot-covered urchins running wild and unshod
We will always be remembered as the orphans of God
They will dig up these ruins and make flutes of our bones
And blow a hymn to the memory of the orphans of God
Like bees in a bottle we are flying at fate
Beating our wings against the walls of this place
Unaware that the struggle is the blood of the proof
In choosing to believe the unbelievable truth
But they have captured our siblings and rendered them mute
They've disputed our lineage and poisoned our roots
We have bought from the brokers who have broken their oaths
And we're out on the streets with a lump in our throats
We are soot-covered urchins running wild and unshod
We will always be remembered as the orphans of God
They will dig up these ruins
And make flutes of our bones
And blow a hymn to the memory of the orphans of God
Orphans Of God - by Mark Heard
I will rise from my bed with a question again
As I work to inherit the restless wind
The view from my window is cold and obscene
I want to touch what my eyes haven't seen
But they have packaged our virtue in cellulose dreams
And sold us the remnants 'til our pockets are clean
'Til our hopes fall 'round our feet
Like the dust of dead leaves
And we end up looking like what we believe
We are soot-covered urchins running wild and unshod
We will always be remembered as the orphans of God
They will dig up these ruins and make flutes of our bones
And blow a hymn to the memory of the orphans of God
Like bees in a bottle we are flying at fate
Beating our wings against the walls of this place
Unaware that the struggle is the blood of the proof
In choosing to believe the unbelievable truth
But they have captured our siblings and rendered them mute
They've disputed our lineage and poisoned our roots
We have bought from the brokers who have broken their oaths
And we're out on the streets with a lump in our throats
We are soot-covered urchins running wild and unshod
We will always be remembered as the orphans of God
They will dig up these ruins
And make flutes of our bones
And blow a hymn to the memory of the orphans of God
11.4.05
AND THE ROUND HOUSE TOO?!?! What will Roberta Couch do now? (Apologies to the 85% of you who don't know anything about Greenville).
My good friend Matt, who still resides in the city of Greenville forwards this list of attractions forever banished from the 'Ville.
1) The Round House
2) The Donutt Shoppe (for us east siders)
3) The Big N
4) Harts
5) Murphy's Mart
6) Eikenberry's North, Old School
7) Eikenberry's North, New School
8) The big giant Sputnik-looking thing on top of the Vints sign
9) The Hamburger Shop
10) The Party Dock
11) McMillers
12) The convenience store by the county jail
13) Winter Sports Festival
14) K of C Dances
15) The Broadway street festival when they dropped ping pong balls with prizes in them from planes
16) Funky P's wife's apartment next to Ace Lumber (ghandi two weeks ago)
17) The Green Wave painting around the water tower
P.S. They're putting in a brand new decorative fountain in the circle in the near future. I saw the plans for it in the Mayor's orifice.
1) The Round House
2) The Donutt Shoppe (for us east siders)
3) The Big N
4) Harts
5) Murphy's Mart
6) Eikenberry's North, Old School
7) Eikenberry's North, New School
8) The big giant Sputnik-looking thing on top of the Vints sign
9) The Hamburger Shop
10) The Party Dock
11) McMillers
12) The convenience store by the county jail
13) Winter Sports Festival
14) K of C Dances
15) The Broadway street festival when they dropped ping pong balls with prizes in them from planes
16) Funky P's wife's apartment next to Ace Lumber (ghandi two weeks ago)
17) The Green Wave painting around the water tower
P.S. They're putting in a brand new decorative fountain in the circle in the near future. I saw the plans for it in the Mayor's orifice.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)