Thursday, August 30, 2007
I've Moved
It was unanimous...well, from all 4 people that I heard from. The new layout wins hands down! Make sure you updated your rss reader...or whatever those things are called...and any other links you have to this blog. Just in case click here or the post title to reach the new location. See you there!!!
Wednesday, August 29, 2007
Old or New?
Go to this site and let me know which layout you like best...even you lurkers who don't usually have anything to say. They each have their pros and cons, so I'm a little unsure. I think I know which one I'm going to use, but wanted more opinions. Post your comment on either one.
Tuesday, August 28, 2007
The Reindeer life
I love... the idea of being able to survive without all our modern conveniences, learning about different cultures, and watching TV (unless it's Drake and Josh, Suite Life of Zack and Cody, or High School Musical relate). That's why, when I hear the theme song for the show, Going Tribal, my mind starts to drool (Pavlov's dogs don't have anything on this) from all the nourishment that it's about to receive. The concept of the show is simple and straight forward. A guy, Bruce Parry, goes around the globe to live with remote tribes for 4 to 6wks at a time, and the whole thing is filmed for our viewing enjoyment.
This particular episode he goes to live with the Nenet who are nomadic reindeer herders on the northern Siberian tundra...burrr! These people live reindeer. Their clothes are made from reindeer hides, their tents are made from reindeer hides, they eat reindeer meat (not solely), and sell reindeer to buy the supplies needed to live the life of herding reindeer.
The Nenet move with the reindeer on their winter migration south...are the Nenet leading the reindeer or are the reindeer leading the Nenet... it's hard to tell? Wherever you find one, you find the other. At the end of their trek they arrive in a town where they sell off some of the reindeer, and then go to homes that the tribe owns in the town. The show "host", Bruce, comments on how surreal it seems to see these people, that he lived with in tents, sat on the floor with, and saw cooking over open fires, now sitting in chairs and watching TV, while a woman stands at a gas stove cooking. While talking to Bruce one of the Nenet elders says that the life in town is easier and more comfortable, but he would be miserable there. His life is with the reindeer, out there, and that is where he must be.
There is no separation between who they are and what they do for the Nenet. They don't work and try to squeeze in a little "reindeer time" here or there. They don't stay in warm and cozy comfort and then, when the conditions are just right, get their "reindeer time". They live to herd reindeer...they herd reindeer to live. It occurred to me that this concept may have other applications...that there may be some way to apply it to my life...that there might be a way you can apply it to your life? Hmmm...I don't know? It's just a thought.
This particular episode he goes to live with the Nenet who are nomadic reindeer herders on the northern Siberian tundra...burrr! These people live reindeer. Their clothes are made from reindeer hides, their tents are made from reindeer hides, they eat reindeer meat (not solely), and sell reindeer to buy the supplies needed to live the life of herding reindeer.
The Nenet move with the reindeer on their winter migration south...are the Nenet leading the reindeer or are the reindeer leading the Nenet... it's hard to tell? Wherever you find one, you find the other. At the end of their trek they arrive in a town where they sell off some of the reindeer, and then go to homes that the tribe owns in the town. The show "host", Bruce, comments on how surreal it seems to see these people, that he lived with in tents, sat on the floor with, and saw cooking over open fires, now sitting in chairs and watching TV, while a woman stands at a gas stove cooking. While talking to Bruce one of the Nenet elders says that the life in town is easier and more comfortable, but he would be miserable there. His life is with the reindeer, out there, and that is where he must be.
There is no separation between who they are and what they do for the Nenet. They don't work and try to squeeze in a little "reindeer time" here or there. They don't stay in warm and cozy comfort and then, when the conditions are just right, get their "reindeer time". They live to herd reindeer...they herd reindeer to live. It occurred to me that this concept may have other applications...that there may be some way to apply it to my life...that there might be a way you can apply it to your life? Hmmm...I don't know? It's just a thought.
Friday, August 24, 2007
Home Schooled
Daughter #2 from her room yells, "Mommmmm!"
"Whaaat?", Wife shouts back.
Daughter #2 walking down the hall shouts, "Do I have to wash my hair tonight?"
"Yes.", Wife says to Daughter #2 who is now standing in the living room with us.
"But it's Wednesday.", Daughter #2 protest, "I didn't think I had to wash my hair on Wednesday nights?"
Wife and I share a glance and then Wife explains to Daughter #2, "We don't make you wash your hair on the Wednesday nights that we go to church in order to save time, because it is getting late and you need to get to bed. We didn't go to church tonight so you have time to wash your hair."
Under her breath Daughter #2 replies, "Humph", as she stomps (just hard enough to show her disapproval of our decision, but not draw our wrath) to the bath tub.
Funny thing is that we haven't been to a Wednesday night service for a while now, but she still asks this every Wednesday night. I know that Daughter #2 knows this and is just testing us to see if we will give in "this time", but for some reason this night it made me think a little.
This practice (not washing her hair) served a purpose (getting to bed on time) when it was started. The practice quickly became a habit or tradition for Daughter #2 , although it no longer served a purpose, she wanted to continue the practice. She made me aware of just how quickly a "tradition" can be formed and how difficult it can be to break.
Calm down. This is not a rant against tradition (I'll save that one for later!), but I did begin to wonder how many other practices have I taught her to do without teaching her the purpose behind them? How many practices do I continue in that no longer serve a purpose, but are done "just because"? Faithful follower versus mindless follower...I want to be sure that she knows the difference. Of course, I probably won't tell her how much harder it is to follow "faithfully" versus following "mindlessly" right now...wouldn't want her to go stomping off again just yet.
"Whaaat?", Wife shouts back.
Daughter #2 walking down the hall shouts, "Do I have to wash my hair tonight?"
"Yes.", Wife says to Daughter #2 who is now standing in the living room with us.
"But it's Wednesday.", Daughter #2 protest, "I didn't think I had to wash my hair on Wednesday nights?"
Wife and I share a glance and then Wife explains to Daughter #2, "We don't make you wash your hair on the Wednesday nights that we go to church in order to save time, because it is getting late and you need to get to bed. We didn't go to church tonight so you have time to wash your hair."
Under her breath Daughter #2 replies, "Humph", as she stomps (just hard enough to show her disapproval of our decision, but not draw our wrath) to the bath tub.
Funny thing is that we haven't been to a Wednesday night service for a while now, but she still asks this every Wednesday night. I know that Daughter #2 knows this and is just testing us to see if we will give in "this time", but for some reason this night it made me think a little.
This practice (not washing her hair) served a purpose (getting to bed on time) when it was started. The practice quickly became a habit or tradition for Daughter #2 , although it no longer served a purpose, she wanted to continue the practice. She made me aware of just how quickly a "tradition" can be formed and how difficult it can be to break.
Calm down. This is not a rant against tradition (I'll save that one for later!), but I did begin to wonder how many other practices have I taught her to do without teaching her the purpose behind them? How many practices do I continue in that no longer serve a purpose, but are done "just because"? Faithful follower versus mindless follower...I want to be sure that she knows the difference. Of course, I probably won't tell her how much harder it is to follow "faithfully" versus following "mindlessly" right now...wouldn't want her to go stomping off again just yet.
Wednesday, August 22, 2007
Yard Work...Yuk!
The immaculate yard, with a beautifully manicured lawn, sculpted hedges, and flowerbeds flowing through it all providing a splash of color here and a punch of color there, is a very appealing concept...and if you've seen my yard you know it's just a concept for me! The reason is simple, I can't find any volunteers to do it for me! I don't even cut the grass until it's absolutely necessary, much less plant something else that would require even more attention.
After some self evaluation, I've determined that this repulsion for yard work is a result of my childhood. Cutting grass was my job when I was a kid. I always had better things to do and would wait until I was forced to do it by threat of imminent pain (yes, my parents were spankers! My mom's skill at wielding a flip-flop would cause a Samurai to drool!). Like most things that we have to do, this one chore grew to be despised.
You must also know that my dad considers anything that works properly, boring. If something does not require at least 1 hr. of tinkering before use, then he won't have it. One of his greatest joys is rescuing something from the trash and restoring it to "working" order. Guess where some of my equipment came from. He enjoys the challenge, I guess! So, now to do something that I loathe, I had to first work on the equipment to do it with. Of course, I learned to despise working on things almost as much as yard work! This pattern has continued into my adult life...largely due to the fact that until recently I was using Dad's hand-me-downs for yard work. You got it...someone's rescued trash, that Dad finally determined to be too much trouble, became mine!
Well, over the past few years I've gotten my own equipment that works properly most of the time, but still there's always things like, the string trimmer runs out of line just before you finish; you get all ready to go and don't have any gas to start, or even more frustrating, you start, almost finish and run out of gas; and my favorite, the mysterious "shut off" for no apparent reason. I'm cursed, I tell ya!
I cut grass this morning. The mower ran and cut wonderfully. The string trimmer had plenty of line and ran great. I had all the gas on the premises that I needed. What's that you say? The curse is broken. Did I mention the two wasp stings before I even got started!?! The one on the right arm was bad, but the one to the top of my left ear... oooooo, now that one smarted a little!
After some self evaluation, I've determined that this repulsion for yard work is a result of my childhood. Cutting grass was my job when I was a kid. I always had better things to do and would wait until I was forced to do it by threat of imminent pain (yes, my parents were spankers! My mom's skill at wielding a flip-flop would cause a Samurai to drool!). Like most things that we have to do, this one chore grew to be despised.
You must also know that my dad considers anything that works properly, boring. If something does not require at least 1 hr. of tinkering before use, then he won't have it. One of his greatest joys is rescuing something from the trash and restoring it to "working" order. Guess where some of my equipment came from. He enjoys the challenge, I guess! So, now to do something that I loathe, I had to first work on the equipment to do it with. Of course, I learned to despise working on things almost as much as yard work! This pattern has continued into my adult life...largely due to the fact that until recently I was using Dad's hand-me-downs for yard work. You got it...someone's rescued trash, that Dad finally determined to be too much trouble, became mine!
Well, over the past few years I've gotten my own equipment that works properly most of the time, but still there's always things like, the string trimmer runs out of line just before you finish; you get all ready to go and don't have any gas to start, or even more frustrating, you start, almost finish and run out of gas; and my favorite, the mysterious "shut off" for no apparent reason. I'm cursed, I tell ya!
I cut grass this morning. The mower ran and cut wonderfully. The string trimmer had plenty of line and ran great. I had all the gas on the premises that I needed. What's that you say? The curse is broken. Did I mention the two wasp stings before I even got started!?! The one on the right arm was bad, but the one to the top of my left ear... oooooo, now that one smarted a little!
Yeah, the curse stands!!
Monday, August 20, 2007
Look Out Hillary
Recent conversation in our bathroom...
Me looking in the mirror, "I'm feeling a little fat lately. I gotta start eating better and doing some kind of exercise." Turning to look at my wife I ask, "Do I look fat?"
She turns toward me and without any delay or break in facial expression she says, "Not from that angle."
It took a moment for my initial delight to sour and for me to realize I have a fat angle... and she's noticed!!
It was at this moment that I realized she may have a future in politics. What a great answer! She didn't lie but escaped the true question. Brilliant!!!
So guys, next time you hear, "Do these jeans make my butt look big?" Try, "Not from that angle." I'm sure it's the perfect answer for this question that has been the bane of man since the fig leaf. You try it first, I insist, and let me know how it goes.
Me looking in the mirror, "I'm feeling a little fat lately. I gotta start eating better and doing some kind of exercise." Turning to look at my wife I ask, "Do I look fat?"
She turns toward me and without any delay or break in facial expression she says, "Not from that angle."
It took a moment for my initial delight to sour and for me to realize I have a fat angle... and she's noticed!!
It was at this moment that I realized she may have a future in politics. What a great answer! She didn't lie but escaped the true question. Brilliant!!!
So guys, next time you hear, "Do these jeans make my butt look big?" Try, "Not from that angle." I'm sure it's the perfect answer for this question that has been the bane of man since the fig leaf. You try it first, I insist, and let me know how it goes.
Sunday, August 19, 2007
Who Knew?
Did you know that it's a bad idea to let your 9 yr. old borrow and use your pocket knife unsupervised?Me either...but I do now!
Don't worry. No one was hurt, but her mother has made it very clear to me just how bad of an idea it was!
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