Christmas Dinner

I think I gave up the diet for Christmas--at least this, I believe, is the reason I put pencil in hand and composed this little poem to the tune of Jingle Bells.

Turkey, turkey, ham,
Green bean casserole
Pickles, olives, yams,
Butter on my roll,
Gravy on my mashed
Potatoes, if you please,
Darling, pass the cranberries,
And the bowl of peas.

Gingerbread, gingerbread,
Peanut butter kiss
Raisins in persimmon bars
These cookies never miss

Now some mincemeat pie,
And the apple too.
Pumpkin with fresh cream
Whipped up with love by you
I am really stuffed
I won’t eat for a month!
That was Christmas breakfast—
I wonder what’s for lunch. . .

I hope everyone had a Merry Christmas!

Radio Unexpected

Rating: NSS
More than once I have found myself staying in the car in the driveway to hear the end of the song on the radio. I have even stayed in the car listening to a song I own on a CD--to this I could listen anytime. Yet, there is still something pleasingly unexpected about hearing a favorite song on the radio. Radio will not lose its appeal for me for this very reason--never knowing what one may hear next. CDs are a little too predictable.

Random Stuff (sorry, Mrs. Mills)

Rating: NSS
If you run out of ideas of things to look up on the internet, here are a few (with editorial comments).

First stop, this quote of Albert Einstein from Quotations Page: “If A is success in life, then A equals x plus y plus z. Work is x; y is play; and z is keeping your mouth shut.”

Apparently I need more Z in my life! (That's Z, not zzzzs.) Ergo, I have TWO blogs. . .

It was theme song day on 106.5 the Arch yesterday. At 5:32 pm they played “Viva La Vida” by Coldplay, which is the theme song to Issues, Etc; at 6:37 they played “Who Are You” by the Who, which is the theme song to CSI: Crime Scene Investigation. Check it out for yourself. Just type in 11/20/2008 and 5:32pm.

I bemoaned the fact that The Morning Show on MPR was ending in December. Apparently they’re planning on keeping the format as a webcast and on an HD station. Whew. The good news is, it’s not going away; the bad news is, it will be a 24-7 format. Sorry, people in my office!

If you’re truly bored, you can read the news story and watch the newscast segment about the first female “Catholic” priestess to give birth. Apparently she is part of the Ecumenical Catholic Communion, which is not recognized by the pope. The priestess’ husband is a pastor at a United Church of Christ congregation, which makes their son truly ecumenical.

The Last of the Season?

Rating: NSS
I took probably the last bike ride of the season around Forest Park today. It was a bit chilly, but an otherwise lovely ride. I did see a few unusual things on my trek around this metropolitan park.
I saw a dog with no hind legs. It had its hindquarters in a sling-like contraption with wheels. I almost hit a duck crossing the path. I told it to move, but I guess the duck didn't understand English. I know the ice-skating rink opened for the season recently, but it did seem odd to see ice skaters out on a pleasant afternoon.
A lovely fall day for the waning season.

Whoa! Didn't See THAT Coming!

Rating:?
I've had two Mondays in a row this week; not good. It continues to grow more bizzare. Maybe it is an indication that should just call it a day and hope tomorrow isn't another Monday.
The straw on my second Monday is that crazy Facebook again. Let's just say that it isn't always so great to catch up with old friends. I know I grew up in a very liberal state. I know that many of the people I knew in high school were very liberal. I know that I am not very liberal, or even just plain liberal. I am perfectly aware that not everyone is like me. [Thank goodness, that'd make life boring.] I still find it difficult to face the fact that my former friends have such polar opposite ideologies. I don't know even how to approach the idea. It's easy to point and say "those people" are "that way". It's much more difficult when "those people" were at one time named "friend". Alas. . .

It's Proven

Rating: NSS
Scroll down to the bottom and you'll find the outcome of my accent test. I guess I still have my California accent. I still say "cot" and "caught" sound the same. Now how does one measure the Minnezohtan that still slips in from time to time?

Dual Entendre Intended

Rating: It's a toss up. . .
The result of Tuesday's election? Obamanation.
[Take it in the sense thou wilt. . .]

The Morning Show

Rating: MS
I think I've had a bad run with radio programs lately. At least Issues, Etc. has come back on the air. Now if Garage Logic goes away, I may give up radio entirely. Okay, not so much. I'm just disappointed that, as I alluded to in my previous post, the Morning Show on Minnesota Public Radio is ending on December 11. It doesn't help matters that the hosts continue daily to remind us that the show is ending soon.


I really enjoyed listening to this show when I lived where I could hear it on real radio; now I listen most weekday mornings via internet. I continue to ask myself whatever will I do in the morning without Jim Ed and Dale serving up the eclectic smorgasbord of diverse music?


I have purchased at least two CDs thanks to this show. What other radio program plays Moxie Fruvous? How else can future generations learn to love Throat Culture's song "Easter Island Head?" Where else can on hear showtunes, klezmer, Celtic, Leo Kottke, Nancy Griffith, and ads for Bowzer Beds all woven together in a miscellaneous mix which can inspire or (gasp) remind one that it is Bosses' Day?


So many memories. Near Labor Day I will ever strain to recall the words to the State Fair song. I will always consider a move to Memphis when I see a road sign for Memphis. I will always think of "King of Spain" whenever I see a zamboni. I will ever chuckle when I drive under the sign near the merge of I-44 and I-55 in St. Louis which reads, "Downtown Illinois" and remember Ann Reed's song, "Where the (ahem) [Heck] is Boston?". You can't buy stuff like that.


Dale, Jim Ed, I will miss you terribly.

It's Been an Up/Down Day

Rating: ?
Today has had its share of smiles and frowns. It's been like riding the kiddie coaster. No real huge highs and lows; just the minor ones.
I had much to ponder during Bible class--smile
I heard that the Morning Show on MPR is ending in December--frown (a big one)
I have an organ fill-in date for Sunday--smile
My students were not so good today--frown
I got paid and on time!-- double smile
It was a rainy, gloomy afternoon--frown
I got to listen to Issues, Etc.--smile
I discovered a crack in my windshield--frown (a big one)
I suppose that all-in-all everything balances out to make it another average day.

The Princess Bride

Rating: Just-for-fun (yeah, I made up a new rating; it's my blog, I don't care)

I found this Princess Bride meme at the blog Drowning Myself Whenever I Can, and I had to post in like manner. Let me just say at the outset: I LOVE The Princess Bride. It is my favorite movie of all time. In fact, people refuse to watch it with me anymore because I can quote pretty much the whole thing. This is why it was difficult to find one quote, so I picked a whole scene because it has a few memorable quotes including Westley's line "Drop--your--sword." What women doesn't swoon there? So here is my favorite, um, scene.

Prince Humperdinck: First things first, to the death.
Westley: No. To the pain.
Prince Humperdinck: I don't think I'm quite familiar with that phrase.
Westley: I'll explain and I'll use small words so that you'll be sure to understand, you warthog faced buffoon.
Prince Humperdinck: That may be the first time in my life a man has dared insult me.
Westley: It won't be the last. To the pain means the first thing you will lose will be your feet below the ankles. Then your hands at the wrists. Next your nose.
Prince Humperdinck: And then my tongue I suppose, I killed you too quickly the last
time. A mistake I don't mean to duplicate tonight.
Westley: I wasn't finished. The next thing you will lose will be your left eye followed by your right.
Prince Humperdinck: And then my ears, I understand let's get on with it.
Westley: WRONG. Your ears you keep and I'll tell you why. So that every shriek of every child at seeing your hideousness will be yours to cherish. Every babe that weeps at your approach, every woman who cries out, "Dear God! What is that thing?" will echo in your perfect ears. That is what to the pain means. It means I leave you in anguish, wallowing in freakish misery forever.
Prince Humperdinck: I think your bluffing.
Westley: It's possible, Pig, I might be bluffing. It's conceivable, you miserable, vomitous mass, that I'm only lying here because I lack the strength to stand. But, then again... perhaps I have the strength after all.
Westley: DROP— YOUR—SWORD. . . Have a seat. Tie him up; make it as tight as you like.
Prince Humperdink: Oww!

At Least it Wasn't Torched

Rating: NSS

They vandalized our yard sign--again! The first time I slandered the liberals, in my mind, mind you--mostly because I was displeased over finding out a certain someone I knew keeps their blog on Obama's website. Not that people can't be Democrats or liberals, or Obama supporters; don't misunderstand me here. I was mostly displeased because first, I thought this person was someone other than what they were professing to be; second, what they had written was just spouting the media's retoric. Very disappointing to me. So to find my yard signs had been torn down the day after the above unpleasant discovery, my reaction was understandable. Still, I did not call the police. I just picked up the two signs, put back up one as it still had its metal holder intact.

Last night there were reports of yard signs in a nearby suburb getting vandalized and even burned on their metal holders.

Today, my remaining yard sign was torn down again; the metal holder missing this time. I called the police (not 9-1-1, just the non-emergency number). They took down the information, which is all I expected. I didn't figure them waging a large-scale manhunt for yard sign vandals. Just know--stay out of my yard, you leftist-liberal-Obama-lovers! For all you rightist-conservative-McCain-lovers, stay out of their yards too! Elections are stressful enough without resorting to petty vandalism. Keep it on the level, not stooping to pettyness.

Tips on What NOT to Do

Rating: NSS
Just a few tips during Debate Season.
#1: If you post a comment on a blog, you might want to know the spirit in which the blog post was written.
#2: If you wish to debate in posting of said comment, avoid using"texting" language while stating your argument. [Scroll down to the anonymous comment.]
#3:While you are debating, please state your argument in logical terms, not emotional terms; and please don't insult your audience.
#4: If you are planning on robbing a bank, don't rob the one closest to where the Vice-Presidential debate is being held; and definitely DON'T have your escape route being TOWARD the Vice-Presidential debate venue. You know the place is swarming with police. You don't stand a chance.
I merely want to help.

Follow Up

Rating: S
I've upgraded the rating, since I was the patsy on this one. I'm following up on a previous post with reiterated advice, which borders on a warning. DO NOT, I repeat, DO NOT post something of major, life-altering information on MySpace or Facebook before you tell your family. I'm pretty sure my principal did not want to hear from the school secretary (me) or church secretary (unbeknownst to her followed up my faux pas) that his son is now engaged. For crying out loud, tell mom, dad, siblings, etc. FIRST. Then share the happy tidings with the internet.

Check and Recheck. . .

Rating: MS

I found this ad in the phonebook (the phone book was expired; don't worry), and I found it funny. Then I read it more closely. Um, here's a hint, folks, if you're going to talk about people reacting to "hey stupid," you might want to make sure your grammar is correct. By the way, slower is an adjective. It's modifying respond, which is a verb. Verbs are modifed by adverbs, therefore it should be more slowly.

Ain't got no learning?

Rating: MS
Why is it that everybody wants (expects) an education, but nobody wants to be educated? Schooling is required in America until one is 16, parents push their children when they are babies to get a head start on learning, finanical advisers help families save for college, and high schools report how many in their graduating class go on to higher education.
With all this education, people are still reluctant to look educated. Don't use big words, don't continue learning, don't make serious talk--small talk, please, etc.
I'm slightly provoked, realizing that there is so much out there that I will never learn.

Bicycle Courtesy

Rating: S
Just a few tips for sharing the trail.
1. If you're on a bicycle/jogging trail and someone wants to pass you, let them pass.
2. Keep it on your side of the trail--that would be the right side here in America.
3. I know you want to walk or ride with your buddy or buddies, but remember that there will be faster people who may pass you, so try not to overlap the middle too much.
4. Don't have your music so loud that you cannot hear people announce that they are passing.
5. Use common sense and courtesy.

Thanks.

Teachers Teaching Teachers

Rating: MS
I was pondering in the shower this morning. (Why is it always in the shower and me without a paper and pencil?) I was thinking how one of my former students is in graduate school and might have a teacher of one of his teachers. Then I thought how I could think of at least one other student of mine who has the possibility of having one of my former teachers as his teacher.
How strange is that? The student I had now having a teacher I once had. . .hm. . .
It is interesting to think that the same people who taught me may now be teaching the students I taught. Usually one doesn't think of it running that way; rather, they think of the students teaching others who teach others and so on.
I wonder what those teachers think of my students. I hope to be a credit to my teachers, and I hope they don't think, "Who taught you this stuff?"; or worse, having them think, "Didn't anybody teach you this?"
Conversely, I hope I can do my teachers the honor of having our mutual student say, "Oh yeah, that sounds like what Mrs. Laun taught me."

We'll Miss You, Thomas

Rating: MS [and a warning that some of the links may be a touch questionable for the faint of heart]

I found out just today that our friend Joe Kudla passed away on August 11, 2008. He was better known as Thomas Snot, the second half of Puke and Snot. These two hilarious, yet off-color (if you can't figure that out from their name), chaps entertained crowds at the Minnesota Renaissance Festival. I understand he is being replaced with another actor, but he can never be replaced in our, well, um, nose? At least I have the CD.

My Pick for Prez

Rating: S

I know that the McCain campaign got an immense boost with his announcement of running mate. I've heard it said that people like her better than they like him. Don't get me wrong: I think Sarah Palin was a good option, but I like John McCain too.

Unless something MAJOR happens, I plan on voting for McCain. I was pretty sure, even during the primaries that I was voting for McCain. Why? Well, It goes back to the event I attended. Presidential election years always get one thinking about presidents. I attended this event at which John McCain spoke. I knew at the outset that he did not always toe the party line; he is a bit of a maverick (yes, that word's being tossed about frequently nowadays), but I listened to what he had to say. I don't remember word-for-word exactly all he said, but I did walk away thinking that what he had said was good and that he would make a good president.

Oh, yes, what was this event at which I saw and heard John McCain? The Minnesota State Fair, September 2004--when he was stumping for Bush.

Here are some more pictures of McCain, MN governor Tim Pawlenty, and the mayor of Garage Logic, Joe Soucheray.

A Questionable Vaccine

Rating: S
I’ve seen the commercials for the vaccine, and I know that some of the local doctors are vaccinating teens now—even some of the students at our school have had the vaccination. I don’t like it.
The vaccine is for HPV, the human papilloma virus. Young girls are encouraged to get it so that they can be protected against cervical cancer. The vaccine actually does not protect against cervical cancer, but against HPV, which is known to cause cancer and is a sexually transmitted disease. (Yes, I know hand/feet warts are a form of HPV, but then again, canker sores are a form of herpes, too—these aren’t considered STDs.)
Now, who wouldn’t want to prevent cervical cancer? Not me. I’m all for finding a cure for cancer and encouraging prevention thereof.
The problem is not cancer prevention. The problem is inoculating against HPV. I’m not one of those people you hear of who are anti-vaccine because they are anti-government or feel that vaccines weaken immune systems or something like that. I think children should be protected from contracting polio, smallpox, and the other debilitating disease for which children receive vaccines. No, my objection to the HPV vaccine is that there is a no-cost way to prevent contracting HPV. Don’t have sex before marriage, marry someone who did not have sex before marriage, and remain in a monogamous relationship.
The commercials show vibrant youth who say, “I want to be one less. . .” one less woman to have cervical cancer; then the commercial encourages people to protect their daughters. Protect them? Absolutely! By giving them a shot and saying, “You won’t get HPV now, so just remember to not get pregnant now as you have sex with anyone you choose. . .”? Absolutely not! If we truly want to protect our daughters and granddaughters, we will encourage them to save their bodies for marriage. Additionally, we will persuade our sons and grandsons to do the same. Love waits, not takes before the right time.

Faulty Logic?

Rating: It's a toss-up between S and CNS
So the anti-war protesters are protesting in St. Paul by burning cars and rioting. Um, excuse me, is it just me, or does something seem WRONG there? We're for peace, let's prove it with violence. Why on earth do these people not see their behavior as being in direct conflict with their actions. You know, the "talk the talk and walk the walk"? If you want peace, start by looking in a mirror. When you can sit down and talk calmly and rationally (with a particular emphasis on rationally), then you can expect the leaders to do the same. Until then, practice behaving yourself and maybe we'll take you seriously.

Musico-Syncracies

Rating: NSS
The first time it happened was in college. I was visiting a friend's room and the TV was on but muted; music was playing on the sound system (I don't recall if it was radio, CD, or other). Then it happened--the television show went to commercial and the music playing happened to synchronize. The song and the commercial fit together quite well, and those of us in the room happened to notice. The one commercial ended and the next began, but the music still fit. The commercial was an airline commercial. As the song came to an end, a person in the commercial struck the cymbals dramatically above his/her head. We all laughed at how seamless the picture and music had been.
This incident has happened again more than once. It's been in mostly restaurants where there are televisions on and background music. It hasn't been as dramatic as that day in the dorms, until today.
I was in a restaurant today when a Diet Coke commerical came on. The music fit so unbelievably well that if I hadn't known in advance that it was background music, I would not have known it was not the music for the commerical.
It has me wondering: is this merely a coincidence when it happens, or is it that there is something about pop culture that makes visual/auditory fit together well, or is it that we have been conditioned by the media culture where our mind automatically makes the connection for us? It is just something that makes me go hmmm. . .

Everything on a Stick

Rating: NSS

It's happing now and I'm missing it! The greatest event of the summer, and I am taunted by the realization that even though it continues for the next week. I was taunted yesterday by the radio--or at least the computer broadcast, as The Morning Show broadcasted live from there. I was going to go, but it was blocked by the Republicans--at least their convention.

What is this place, you ask, this event, this not-to-be-missed spectacle of food, fun, people, wonder, and awe? It's the State Fair of all State Fairs, of course. Some say it's not the greatest in the country, some say it's too expensive, too crowded, too--whatever. I say bring it on!

Food on a stick? Sure! Live TV broadcasts? Yeah! Getting to see your favorite radio show live? Of course! Animals, baby animals, midway games, barfelous rides, every 4-H project imaginable, free entertainment, chocolate chip cookies in a bucket, ethnic handicrafts, display upon building of display? Yes siree! What is a better way to spend a summer day than at the fair? Sigh.

Did I mention the butter sculptures?

Guess What--You’re NOT Entitled

Rating: S
Our newspaper has rotating advice columns in the “Everyday” section. Today it had Miss Manners, Dr. Donohue (for some reason that one never rotates), and Annie’s Mailbox. Annie apparently went to her mailbox to publish responses to the question of why men have affairs. Read the article in its entirety—it’s enough to vex anyone. Here are some quotes from married men around the country: “. . .it’s all emotion and hormones.” “The problem is sex. . .I found relief with a woman in my office. The sex is passionate and varied.” “She never made me feel important.” “When a young gal paid me some attention, it boosted my self-esteem like you would not believe.” “I am in the process of finding a woman I can have a physical relationship with.” “Every few months I pay $150 for an hour with someone who takes care of me and doesn’t tell me I’m wrong about everything. That hour lifts my self-esteem so I can continue in the marriage.”
Wow. Bad grammar aside (a preposition is not something to end a sentence with), these guys should have their man licenses revoked. Real men don’t whine about self-esteem. Real men wake up and realize that married life is not all about being young, virile, and sexy. Real men take seriously the vows of “for better and for worse” and “forsaking all others.” You’re not entitled to have a wife that fulfills your every whim. If you don’t like the situation, here’s a novel idea—try talking to her. Get some marriage counseling if you feel you can’t deal with it. Don’t give up on her and walk away. That’s why our society is falling apart. People think everything is supposed to be idyllic and hearts and flowers. They have to persistence when life gets rough. So guys, be men and take care of your women. They need you more than you think.
If marriage shows us how Christ relates to his bride, the Church, thank God Christ doesn’t give up on us when the chips are down, or we would have been condemned long ago.

Clothing Wars

Rating: MS
I read an article in the Lifestyle section of this morning's paper entitled "Grandma, tween debate clothes." It talked about a grandmother who took her 9-year-old granddaughter clothes shopping. The article spoke of the two trying to come to some sort of mutual agreement when it comes to purchasing clothing that is a compromise between the child's style and the grandparent's allowability (if that's a word).
There were a few lines in this article which stuck out--"sexed-up tween fashions" and "Often, the kids have a stronger say in the purchase"--but one sentence really struck me: "Which is not to say that parents should impose draconian standards that strip any individuality or experimentation out of their child's control." Perish forbid.
[Okay, I admit, I had to look up draconian first because all I could think of was the character Draco Malfoy from the Harry Potter books--draconian means "excessively harsh" in terms of laws.] Yes, the studies show that parents who are extreme in being too strict or too lax will have problems controlling their children. The children with too many rules will rebel, the ones with not enough rules will never learn better. That's aside from the point.
Any parent reading the line about not stripping individuality will read into that as "don't tell your kid what to do." No. . . Love and Logic talks about shared control. Sure, give your child a chance to pick out what he/she wants to purchase to wear; just remember, you're the mommy or the daddy and you have veto power. You, as a parent, have the right--not to mention the responsibility--to say, "no way."
Maybe the easiest way to solve back-to-school-shopping woes is to encourage your school to invest in uniforms. They're cheaper, cover more than some of the trendy fashions, and contribute to a better learning environment.

Little House the Musical

Rating: NSS
It seems as though there is a new musical for the old (and not so old stories) these days. There’s one for the Wicked Witch of the West, one for Mary Poppins, even one for Elle Woods and her trip to Harvard; therefore, it is no surprise that there is a Little House on the Prairie musical.
According to MPR, the show is doing well in Minnesota; again, no big surprise as Laura Ingalls Wilder is revered as a Minnesota author, even though she lived there for fewer than 10 years when she was young and did all her writing in Missouri. It was pretty clever of them to cast Melissa Gilbert as Ma. The musical’s creators plan to take it on tour before taking it to Broadway. If it comes to the Gateway City, I’d like to see it.
I wonder if any of the convention attendees will buy a ticket or two at Labor Day. . .the Guthrie is only on the other side of the river from the Xcel Center, you know.

Don't it Seem That Way?

Rating: CNS

I think that some people I know would agree and wear the tee around me!

Check it and other interesting stuff at this fun-loving website. Remember: Don't take life too seriously--no one ever gets out alive!

Growing Older

Rating: NSS
Dave Barry says that there comes a time when you should stop expecting people to make a big deal over your birthday, and that time is 11. I stopped a long time ago, but I think I'm subconciously still hoping. I guess I've always been a little neurotic about my birthday--I think it's a birth order thing. (That and the fact that my grandparents always left town about the time of my birthday every year when I was younger.)

I turned 30 with much kicking and screaming, figuratively, that is. I don't like getting older, thank you society, so being past 30 is not a treat for me. They say it's better than the alternative, but I don't know. I liked the book The Curious Case of Benjamin Button. I just can't imagine it being made into a movie.

I've given up cake anyway; it's not on my diet--that isn't to say that I won't use my free Coldstone coupon, let's not get ridiculous. I just don't expect certain siblings to call, that's all. Oh well--we can't always get what we want; otherwise I would have my Darth Tater by now. . .

Where is that?

Rating: MS/NSS
I am watching the parade of nations in the opening ceremonies of the Olympics. I have the globe at hand, looking up the countries as they come in. That must mean I am a visual person. I sometimes have to rely on the little globe on the bottom of the screen, or I listen to the commentators explain where the country is if it is an obscure one. But now I know where Vanuatu is; likewise, I know that Mauritania and Mauritius are not near each other. Who says Americans don't know their geography? Now maybe I'll go to the great state of Chicago--it's capital is Illinois--I know this because the sign on I-44 says "Downdown Illinois."

Whose Space?

Rating: MS
Warning: I'm feeling ornery. You've been duly warned.
I'm not going to comment on the My Space suicide (although I guess I sort of just did). I am a Facebook user myself, and I do not have a My Space account. This is only because I don't want the hassle of keeping track of two such accounts. I keep up with many people through Facebook--former students, high school/college friends, people from church--and I find out much about them. When a former student announces an engagement or pregnancy, I'm happy for them (unless they are too young to get married or unwed and shouldn't be pregnant--but that's another blog for another day).
Then my husband happened to set up a My Space account, primarily because of his job. He happened to stumble across the fact that I'm going to have a new niece or nephew. Here's the thing, I don't mind finding out such news by computer. I don't mind finding out such news about far-away friends by Facebook. I DO mind finding such things out about family by accident. I wonder how long it might have been before they told me if I didn't happen to see the post and search for the answer.
Here's the advice part (you knew it would come): Do the right thing and tell your family yourself. Don't let them happen to stumble across it, and don't forget how to spell assume when you assume they'll find out via family grapevine.

Huh?

Rating: NSS
I've heard the commercial twice now. It for a Brides Against Breast Cancer gown sale.
I think this is a nice idea. I just have one question about their commercial--at the end it says, "Help make a memory come true." Huh? A memory is remembering something that happened. How can it come true? It's a pretty-sounding platitude that takes ad jargon and organizes it in a way that makes a sentence.
This is the way advertising works. Who else caught that statement? Maybe we need to pay more attention to ads. Take the Sound Room universal remote commercial. The poor guy with multiple remotes has an utterly messy room. The guy with the universal remote has a tidy room. Hm. How it pulls us in when we're not paying attention. I'm not saying there's anything wrong with the Brides' gown sale or don't shop at the Sound Room. I'm saying that we need to think a little more about the sights and sounds aimed at us, getting us to buy.

Customer Care Advocates?

Rating: NSS
I had to place an order today, so I called the 800 number. I reached the usual “. . .thank you for calling our company. . .” message and then, of course, there were the touch-tone options following the welcome message. Option #2 was if I wished to speak to a “customer care advocate”. I waited for more options, and #3 was to place an order, so I pressed 3. Then I got hold music and a recorded voice said, “All advocates are busy; please hold.”
What is a “customer care advocate” anyway? I understand “customer”. It is a person who purchases a product from a business. I understand “care”. It is to take concern or interest in and acting accordingly. I understand “customer care”. It is a business taking concern or interest in a person who purchases a product from a business and said business acting accordingly.
I mostly understand “advocate”. It is either a person who stands for a cause, or a person who acts as a go-between to plead a cause for someone else. I don’t understand “customer care advocate”. Is it a person who stands for taking concern or interest and acting accordingly for a person who purchases a product for a company? Is it a person who goes between the business and the person who purchases a product from a business and the person makes sure the business takes concern and interest and acts accordingly toward that person who purchases a product from the business? Confused yet?
This is when fancy titles become obfuscatory. Trash men became garbage collectors became sanitation workers. Waiters and waitresses became wait staff became servers. Stewardesses became flight attendants.
I expect any employee of the company will take care of me, the customer—this is what is called customer service. Why does any employee need a title of advocate? Maybe they don’t realize that an employee who is engaged in customer service should care for their customers and work to take care of them. This is the problem with customer service today. Companies would rather give out fancy titles to give the impression of doing their business well, instead of actually doing such.

Local Protest is all in Fun

Rating: CNS (because sometimes you just gotta laugh)
So there will be a World Naked Bike Ride in St. Louis this weekend to protest rising oil prices and oil dependency. “Come as bare as you dare,” the organizers say, since there are some indecency laws that may be enforced by police who are willing to come close enough.
If you want to ride, it begins at Tower Grove Park at 9pm on Saturday. If you want to watch, and who wouldn’t?!, bring binoculars. The riders will be the lightish (or multicolored—if they participated in the pre-ride paintapalooza) blobs against a dark night. If you don’t have a bike, you may rollerblade or skateboard.
St. Louis Mayor Francis Slay is pleased to host this event. He says that while they mean well, their methods “should be looked at more closely”. I wish I could link you to the page from where the Mayor’s quote comes, but I heard it only on the radio news on 106.5 The Arch.
So for all you protesters, bicyclists, and clothing haters, come frolic and have the most fun you can have on wheels! We hope to see you out, especially if we are driving our gas-hogging SUVs, because it’s really hard to see bikes in the dark from up that high. . .
Oh yes, organizers remind all participants to wear helmets--safety first, folks!

Archeological Layers of Self II

Rating: NSS
I've upgraded the rating, mostly because I'm not feeling as silly as before. I also inform you that I found some of the poetry for which I was looking. I know you were worried. I was right; I found it when I wasn't looking for it. Now I'm not sure if I'm glad I found it. Glancing through some of the pages I thought, "Man, did I actually write that?" Yep, I had. I also realized I have an irritating habit of writing on whatever paper is available. I found a stack of church bulletin inserts with comments and thoughts written all over them. I have a similar stack elsewhere. Some of these thoughts lead places, others just get set off to the side. Maybe I should try carrying a notebook--or not going anywhere near writing implements!

Archeological Layers of Self

Rating: CNS
What was I doing? Cleaning—or rather it falls under the broad sub-category of cleaning (sorry, honey). Honestly, I was looking for some of my poetry. I can’t seem to find it when I want it—only when I’m totally not looking for it. Instead, I stumbled across random files from the past. I found high school choir notes and lists, a story written by a college boyfriend (with the names changed to give the thin guise of fiction), and some random thank you notes. Some of the items made me smile—pictures from a conference, some of the items made me frown—the B- that I received on the essay about Hugo Distler, and some items led to confusion—why did I even keep this?
All this brought me to two conclusions: 1) I really need to clean my basement. 2) Only illiterate people should clean basements or attics. There is too much stuff to stop and look at and read to ever accomplish the task of cleaning. I suppose even the illiterate are not immune if pictures are involved. Maybe the best thing to do is never clean the basement or attic. Sounds good to me!

Kmart Ads

Rating: NSS
While reading the newspaper--okay, while taking the newspaper out of the plastic bag and putting it directly with the recyling--I came across a Kmart back-to-school ad. Normally, I'd merely stick it in the recycling and pay no attention to it. But for some reason I decided to look through it.
On the cover it shows 8 elementary and middle school-age students. At the top it reads, "Hey Mom, How well do you know your kid's style?" It then invites moms to take the back-to-school quiz inside.
Inside the ad, moms are supposed to figure out which style listed is most like their little darling, and then buy everything back-to-school accordingly.
Here are the categories from which to choose. . .
For girls:
Rocker Chic (which looks like what was popular in the '80s)
Miss Powder Puff
The Homebody (pajamas)
Ms. Dynamite
Urban Pop Star (all High School Musical wear)
Retro Diva ('70s wear)
Girl Next Door

For Boys (I don't know why they have only 2 categories):
Chick Magnet
Too Cool for School
So I ask--what is Kmart thinking with these labels? No problem with stereotypes here.
One word: uniforms.

My Tour

Rating: S
I had the privilege of visiting the John G. Neihardt Center in Bancroft, NE on Monday. If you come up from the south on I-29 and cut over on whatever state highway it is, be wary of the bridge between Iowa and Nebraska. It is highly unpleasant driving and a toll bridge ($0.75) to boot!
I was the first visitor to the center that day--I arrived at 2pm--and the kind lady turned on the lights for me and set up the short video. She was very kind.
I watched the video, looked at the exhibit, briefly examined the research library (room) and toured the grounds which include a garden and Neihardt's old studio where he wrote.
If you have never heard of this author, pick up Black Elk Speaks. It's a good read, but my favorite is Indian Tales and Others.
His theology is slightly off (I'll say no more now), but his craftsmanship is phenominal.

Quick Thought

Rating: MS
Crossing bridges you didn't know you'd come to is one thing, burning them is something completely different.

You're Joking!

Rating: MS
I must protest! How on earth can Entertainment Weekly create a list of 25 best movie musicals and make two major gaffes? First of all, how can any thinking person place anything related to "South Park" in the top ten, especially when it is placed next to (and higher) than "Meet Me In St. Louis"?
Second of all, how can they completely omit from the list "Hello, Dolly"? What can be greater than Dolly Levi walking down the staircase at the Harmonia Gardens to singing waiters, except when she gets to the bottom and there is a Barbara Streisand/Louis Armstrong duet? Not to mention Michael Crawford as Cornelius Hackl. Please, how can "You killed Kenny!" even compare to that?
Bah.

Chill Out, Dude

Rating: MS
When I was a kid, we would often go to air shows. There was even one at the local airport. The worst part of these events were that they took place in the summer when the temperature topped 100 and, being at an airport, that meant absolutely no shade--unless one hunkered down under the wing of a bomber. Other than melting in the summer sun, I enjoyed the shows. I especially loved the Blue Angels. Once I even got to see an aircraft that was just out of being top-secret. It was flat and weird-looking. It was supposed to be undetectable by radar. Yeah, you know the one I'm talking about. Anyway, I didn't know I was being brainwashed by these displays of military might. I didn't know my father's boss was a horrible militant for having restored an old Sopwith Pup and flown it in the local airshow and demonstrating a dogfight between it and a tank on the ground. Ah, how naive I must have been, not knowing that these were merely a display of "how pervasive militarism is in American society."
According to MPR, there will be a group protesting at the airshow in Duluth, MN, this weekend. They are protesting the military bent of the airshow, saying it is no longer a celebration of aviation, but a show of military might.
The woman quoted said, "It's part of our schools. It's part of our education. It's part of our leisure. It's television. It just seems to be everywhere. We became a military industrial society a long time ago. And when you become that it becomes your identity. And so, many us are questioning, 'is that how we want to be known in the world, as a militaristic society?'"
If she is asserting that it is part of our schools and education, why are the schools also leaning toward teaching that our policy on Iraq is wrong? Sounds like we'd rather confuse our kids.
It seems to me that if people want to truly fix what is wrong in our country and world, they would aim their efforts elsewhere. Protest teaching our children that sex outside of the context of marriage is wrong. Promote peace by not destroying someone's character on My Space. Encourage racial harmony not through tolerance but through recognizing that we are all God's beloved children and that should be the basis, not which holiday one celebrates at Hanaramakwaansmas.
Maybe I sound like an idealist. Maybe I sound like a raving lunatic, but I think that many people who are working for change are actually making the division worse by creating problems where no one would think to look for one. It's one thing to protest (PEACEFULLY) outside an abortion clinic. It's another thing to protest outside an air show. One has the clear and present danger. The other is just a place for families to go and enjoy seeing loud aircraft, and the largest dangers are sunburn and hearing loss.
I guess the peace activists don't remember that is wasn't the pacifists who won them their rights of freedom of speech and assembly.

Sell Me Something

Rating: MS
One billboard and two TV ads have caught my eye. The first is a billboard for the BMW Championship at Bellrive Country Club. The original billboard had a picture of Tiger Woods and said that all the big players will be there. Recently the billboard changed. The wording is still the same, but the picture has changed. Instead of Tiger, there are two pictures of some golfers that golf fans would know, but I do not. This change amused me, as we all know Tiger Woods is out for the remainder of the season.
The two TV ads I found equally as interesting. The first is a car ad which begins by showing an action-type movie scene where the men are shooting at each other with water guns and tossing water balloons instead of real guns and grenades. Then it switches to a car and the announcer says, what if we could replace something dangerous with water? It then goes on to promote the vehicle which emits water instead of greenhouse gasses. It got me to thinking that if a person compared the two concepts, it would look like this: Guns are dangerous, so replace them with water. Greenhouse gasses are dangerous, so replace them with water. Would this not mean that greenhouse gasses are as equally dangerous as guns? Hmm.
The second ad showed a large semi with smooshed aluminum cans spilling out the back end. A worker (he's not a real worker, he just plays one on TV) in a hard hat explains how Budweiser recyles more aluminum cans than they produce through their beer sales. I believe he said for every 4 they produce, they recycle 5. After this comment he holds up a can of Budweiser and says that the lucky ones get to re-live the dream. Clearly implying that every aluminum can's dream is to hold Budweiser's beer. This ad I find amusing in light of the InBev buyout of AB. Let's show how wonderful AB is for 1)recycling more than they manufacture 2)making the greatest beer to put in the lucky recycled can. Maybe we'll feel better now about the sale.

More Incongruities

Rating: NSS

I don't know why, but odd things amuse me, as indicated by this picture. I'm not too keen on fish for breakfast myself. . .

I know radio stations cannot help what advertisers pay for air time, nor do they specifically pay attention to when the ads air, but hearing why "Issues, Etc." is great immediately followed by why Dolly Parton's Dixieland Stampede is great did amuse me.

Speaking of amusing radio, I was listening to 106.5 the Arch yesterday and the song playing was "Should I stay or should I Go" by the Clash. It was immediately followed up by "I will Survive" Gloria Gaynor. I guess the answer to the Clash's questions is "Go, walk out the door." Sorry, guys.

I guess this is why I also like "The Morning Show" on Minnesota Public Radio. Where else can one hear "Precious Lord, Take my Hand" followed up by "Country Girl" which is like country heavy metal? . . Eclectic? Without a doubt.

Ordination and Other Music Stuff

Rating: NSS
I often post church-related stuff on BO, not Opus the first, but I think this fits better here, as I am not really pondering any theological content.
I attended an ordination and installation recently at a rural church. It was a service fitting a rural Lutheran church. The men's choir sang "Onward Christian Soldiers" and it was VERY old-school Lutheran.
My husband and I often remark how much the Concordia choirs have a unique sound--listen to any River Forest or Seward recording from any era and compare it to any other era; it all sounds like the same people--but this men's choir made me realize that pretty much any rural Lutheran men's group sounds like the next. I suppose it is due to the barbershop sound. This is not a bad thing, mind you; however, I found it eerie. The song took me back 20 years to the church in which I grew up. I could have sworn (except I don't) that in the balcony was my father singing away with 3-4 other people (whom I will not name here) from church. It was nothing short of astounding.

Happy Fourth

Rating: MS
It was a fantastic Fourth of July weekend. It was the greatest weather one could hope for. It was in the 70s to 80s with low humidity and tons of sunshine. We spent much of the 4th, 5th, and 6th outside. We wished Grandpa a happy 90th, shared croquet and badminton games, and even (no kidding) told ghost stories around the campfire. We took in the Cherry Festival airshow and was able to see the Blue Angels fly over the bay. We took in a baseball game where I received a tshirt for being a loud fan (amazing, isn’t it? Me, loud?)

Incongruities Part II

Rating: NSS
Maybe I was a bit ahead of myself with the oddities. I have a few more to add to the previous. As I was leaving to head up north, I was heading east on the interstate at rush hour. The traffic heading west was backed up for miles due to a traffic accident. Stuck in that traffic jam, I noticed the entourage for John Mayer--two bus/motorhomes and multiple semis. I guess even music stars have to deal with the daily grind.

Incongruities

Rating: NSS
I have experienced a smattering of incongruities and other oddities of a sensory nature in the past few days.
It all began when I was mowing the lawn (that's French for "cut the grass," as my father would say)--this blog, not the oddities. The first of recent days was on Sunday. I was visiting some friends and as I sat on their sofa, their dog snoozed on me. Not odd, unless one considers the fact that the dog was stretched between the edge of the sofa and my crossed leg some 2-3 inches off the edge of the sofa. I guess it was one of those "had to have been there" events.
Next came the return of Issues, Etc. Not that it was odd in itself; it was slightly odd to hear it back on the radio after its three-month absence, er, spring break.
Then it was High School Musical at the Muny. The musical itself was pretty good; however, the most odd part was during what, I suppose, was the romantic song I was distracted by a family of raccoons which decided to go for a late-night stroll across the network holding up the lights above the stage.
Another oddity was watching the organ extraction. A group of men were dismantling the organ console in the church's balcony.
Yesterday it was a smouldering trash can at the Metrolink station at the airport. I also experienced a wonderful oddity: Evening P a rare experience; that is, rare if one has never been to a Higher Things conference. It was odd also in the sense that shortly before I left for Evening Prayer, the discussion on Issues, Etc. dealt with the liturgy. It seems as though I can think of at least 800 high schoolers who aren't in favor of contemporary worship, but that's a topic for another blog.
Today it was Madonna's song "Material Girl." Not odd unlesss one is on their way to worship. Makes it seem more shallow than ever. Also as I was traveling to Morning Prayer with the HT conference participants, I saw a man at the bottom of the highway exit ramp. He was holding a sign, so I thought he was a panhandler. Nope. His sign read, "Smile it won't hurt." I smiled and waved.
On the way back to work, I saw two workers on the side of another highway ramp who were trimming back flowers (weeds) with chainsaws. Hm. . . I also saw the military jets flying. Okay, not odd, especially around here; I just like watching the military jets fly.
Finally, the mowing the lawn. I saw a squished spider on my hand! GROSS! I didn't know I had squished it until I looked down and saw spider guts splayed across my palm. Not to mention the fact that my hands are still tingly from the mower's vibrations. Which brings me to the end of my oddities. I bet someone else who drove past while I was mowing the lawn is now writing their blog which says, "I saw the oddest thing today: a fat, strangely dressed woman in a weird hat mowing her lawn."

Don't Blame George

Rating: MS [for sarcasm]
Now they're (at least the Miami Herald) is trying to blame President Bush for Gloucester--in a round-about manner. The article asserts that the decline of teen sexual activity during the 1990s levelled off between 2001 and 2007, and teen pregnancy rates rose 3% between 2005-2006. This, incidentally coincided with the implementation of the Bush administration's abstinence-only policy for groups receiving federal funding. Yeah, and drowning deaths go up as the rate of ice cream consumption goes up--anyone can make any statistical correlation they see fit.

According to the abstinence-only policy, ". . .any groups or states receiving federal funds for pregnancy prevention not discuss contraception and must teach that sex outside marriage will lead to harmful psychological and physical effects. In other words, they cannot talk about sex or help children who do have sex to protect themselves. They can only tell them to say no." Obviously, it is not acceptable to teach teens to NOT have sex. We know they're going to, so let's help make sure they're safe. I guess we should eliminate all "Say No to Drugs" campaigns on the same reasoning. Let's tell the children that if they want to pop prescription pills, it's okay; and if they want to cook meth let's give them resources to make sure they don't burn down the house and neighborhood. No, it's not any different. Sorry to inform you, but AIDS can kill a person as can drugs--one happens to work on the body more slowly--and the best way to not get AIDS is to have monogamous sex with a spouse who does not have AIDS. Same goes for not contracting other STDs (and no, the HPV vaccination isn't the answer either).

The Herald article has a snappy conclusion which says, "We already know where it started. We already know who the father is." The obvious implication is Bush. Sorry again. The dysfunctional father is none other than Alfred Kinsey, the "inventor" of modern sex education. This man asserted that everyone, even children have the right to sexuality. (See the Lutherans for Life document, "The Failure of Sex Education," for more information, as I cannot quote it because I seem to have misplaced mine.) This includes all manners of sex, including bestiality and pedophilia. His teachings, along with the teachings of the founders of Planned Parenthood, have steered the curriculum of sex education in public schools for the past few decades. Couple this with the second Humanist Manifesto which states: “SIXTH: In the area of sexuality, we believe that intolerant attitudes, often cultivated by orthodox religions and puritanical cultures, unduly repress sexual conduct. The right to birth control, abortion, and divorce should be recognized. While we do not approve of exploitative, denigrating forms of sexual expression, neither do we wish to prohibit, by law or social sanction, sexual behavior between consenting adults. The many varieties of sexual exploration should not in themselves be considered "evil." Without countenancing mindless permissiveness or unbridled promiscuity, a civilized society should be a tolerant one. Short of harming others or compelling them to do likewise, individuals should be permitted to express their sexual proclivities and pursue their lifestyles as they desire. We wish to cultivate the development of a responsible attitude toward sexuality, in which humans are not exploited as sexual objects, and in which intimacy, sensitivity, respect, and honesty in interpersonal relations are encouraged. Moral education for children and adults is an important way of developing awareness and sexual maturity." Voila! You have a sure-fire argument for asserting that sexual freedom is a right for all. Sorry to burst anyone's bubble: A mature person knows what is safe and what is dangerous. A mature person makes wise choices. A mature person knows that with freedom comes rules. A 12 year old cannot legally get a driver's license. A 17 year old cannot legally vote. A 19 year old cannot legally drink alcohol. Why? They have to learn to make mature decisions before they can have the privilege. Same with sexuality. Just because you can doesn't mean you should.

We need to teach our children that freedom comes with responsibility. I cannot live on my own if I am not responsible enough to make a house or rent payment.

The next time, Miami Herald, you point your finger, remember what your mommy told you: Three are pointing back at you. What have YOU done to prevent STDs and babies born to single, young, immature mothers? I don't think that advertising condoms was it.

The One In Every Restaurant

Rating: NSS

It happens without fail: We end up seated by "the one in every restaurant." Sometimes, we are with "the one", but more often we end up at a table near "the one". What is "the one in every restaurant?" you ask. It is the person who knows everything about every subject and informs the people at their table (loudly) of their opinion on everything from aardvarks to Zzyzx Road (it's a road near the NV/CA border).

Case in point: about 10 years ago we were dining at a restaurant near the St. Louis airport which is now closed (the restaurant, not the airport; but the way airlines are going these days, it may be the airport soon--that's another story) and were seated near "the one." There were only a few tables in the restaurant which were occupied, so we were actually not at the table next to the one. We were a few tables over, but that did not prevent us from hearing the conversation. We were not eavesdropping; we could not help hearing. The woman was going on and on about her whole family and telling her companion who Uncle Al was and "you know, his daughter/niece/stepmother was so-and-so" to which the other lady would nod as though she knew what the other was talking about. We felt sorry for the poor girl who sat through the whole conversation because she looked as though she was a foreign exchange student on her way to/from home and was subjected (as we all were) to this unending, one-sided dialogue.

More recently we were enjoying a lovely evening at a restaurant on the Hill, and were seated near a group which I believed was "the one." We still wonder why they were speaking so loudly, unless one member of their group was hard of hearing and didn't wear a hearing aid. Much our our chagrin, they were not "the one," for the real "the one" was seated on the other side of us shortly afterward. This man was informing the three other people all he knew about many subjects. Loudly and assertively. The one couple at his table were just going along with it. At one point, (again, not eavesdropping--he was speaking loudly enough so that we could hear every word) he spoke of how he and his wife stayed up past midnight to watch NBC's rebroadcast (they must not own a VCR) of Tim Russert's memorial service. He was waxing excitedly about how wonderful this service was, how wonderfully his son spoke, etc., and commented about the amphitheater it took place in. I just wanted to interject, "Um, it was in the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, sir."

Someday, in an ideal world, I will go to a restaurant and not be seated next to "the one". Until that day, I hope that I am not "the one!"

The Water is Wide

Rating: S

The flooding is bad, just not here. The "Big Muddy" overfloweth, and has breached some levees. The worst is Iowa and points north of St. Louis. We became gawkers the other night and drove down to the Arch grounds to see Old Man River out of his bed. It's not as bad as '93 here, but it is still a sight to see. Lenor K. Sullivan Avenue is completely flooded, and the water is creeping up the arch steps. The sign which indicates the riverfront is on the other side of the avenue and quite off the river bank on normal days.

We pray for all those people who have lost property and possessions and for those who still stand to lose property and posessions. We thank those who have given of themselves to help.

Small Prank or Big Problem?

Rating:S
There is a story on Fox News about teens who are taking pictures of themselves nude and sending them on their cell phones to other teens. The people they interviewed on Sunday night discussed the ramifications of this action. The first point the people interviewed made was that these teens are the first to have the technology to do this. There is no precedent here. The second point brought up was that these teens could be charged with possession of pornography, specifically child pornography, and if charged and convicted could be classified as a sex offender. This would stay on their record for life; additionally, they would have to register as a sex offender. Pretty long-reaching effects for an act that many would consider a “silly high school prank.”

Why are they doing this? According to Fox News, “Psychologists said the phenomenon reflects typical teenage hormones and lack of judgment, with technology multiplying the potential for mischief. It also may reflect a teenage penchant for exhibitionism, as demonstrated on MySpace and countless other Web sites and blogs.” Good explanation, but I believe it goes beyond that.

Where do these kids get these ideas? Sure children and teens get ideas from many sources—family, friends, TV, internet, school—but why on earth take nude pictures and plaster them on cell phones and internet? It’s because they haven’t been taught that they shouldn’t, and I would venture to say that they have been subtly encouraged to do so.

“Give them an inch, they’ll take a mile,” is the old saying. We’ve given our children and our society too many inches. Read the Humanist Manifesto, Humanist Manifesto II, and Humanist Manifesto III documents; and you’ll see that we’ve slowly, subtly encouraged this negative sort of behavior in our culture over the last 75 years. We say that the old way of doing things is bad and wrong. We encourage them to do whatever. Then when things go out of control we wonder why.

Take for example this “teaching” written in Humanist Manifesto II: “Traditional moral codes and newer irrational cults both fail to meet the pressing needs of today and tomorrow. False "theologies of hope" and messianic ideologies, substituting new dogmas for old, cannot cope with existing world realities. They separate rather than unite peoples.”

I hate to point it out now, but traditional moral codes held people in check for thousands of years. When humans define morality based on a solid foundation it holds a person in check better than when morality is based on a fleeting emotion or opinion. Then morality is boiled down to a sound bite of “if it feels good, do it.” Well, that doesn’t hold out in the long run.

Another “teaching” of the Humanist Manifesto has led us to nude cell phone pictures. It discusses sexuality: “SIXTH: In the area of sexuality, we believe that intolerant attitudes, often cultivated by orthodox religions and puritanical cultures, unduly repress sexual conduct. The right to birth control, abortion, and divorce should be recognized. While we do not approve of exploitive, denigrating forms of sexual expression, neither do we wish to prohibit, by law or social sanction, sexual behavior between consenting adults. The many varieties of sexual exploration should not in themselves be considered "evil." Without countenancing mindless permissiveness or unbridled promiscuity, a civilized society should be a tolerant one. Short of harming others or compelling them to do likewise, individuals should be permitted to express their sexual proclivities and pursue their lifestyles as they desire. We wish to cultivate the development of a responsible attitude toward sexuality, in which humans are not exploited as sexual objects, and in which intimacy, sensitivity, respect, and honesty in interpersonal relations are encouraged. Moral education for children and adults is an important way of developing awareness and sexual maturity.”

The teens were just expressing their sexual proclivities and we should be tolerant. Or maybe there was nothing sexual about it and I am merely intolerant. The last sentence makes me ask, what are we basing our moral education on since we have eliminated moral codes?

Every secular humanist will now rail on my shallow, intolerant, backward-thinking mindset. I apologize only for asking people to think. This teaching has been in our public school system far too long under the guise of forward thought. I was in high school over 15 years ago, and it was there then, as I now recognize. Then I was criticized of being closed-minded. Now I realize that people who want to teach others to be closed-minded will always criticize those who think and assert that the thinkers are the closed-minded ones.

I encourage everyone to read these three Humanist Manifesto documents and dare to question.

A Lovely Evening

Rating:MS

It was a lovely day--not too hot, not to humid. It lead to a lovely evening. We attended the second of the carillon concerts at Concordia Seminary. [Every Tuesday in June at 7pm, if you care to join us. Bring your own chair and picnic.] It was a pleasant evening with nice weather, a great concert (although I can honestly say I've never heard Stephen Foster's "Beautiful Dreamer" played on a carillon), and good food and wine. Very relaxing and a great way to spend a June evening. By the way, the picture is one taken from this evening from my husband's camera phone.

Images

Rating: MS
I am reminded every so often of the conversation I once had with a friend who attended St. Olaf. I pointed out how I enjoyed the smell of the Malt-O-Meal plant, and how privileged the college students were to be able to smell it often. My friend remarked that it was a nice, comforting smell on chilly winter days, but on warm humid days it was not so nice.

So the wind was blowing up from the Chinese Restaurant today, which is what reminded me of my friend’s comment. It is, according to the Weather Channel, 89 degrees with 51% humidity (making it feel like 93 degrees) and winds SSW at 19mph, gusting up to 33 mph. With the humidity and heat, the smell of the restaurant was not exactly pleasant, nor would one immediately think of moo goo gai pan or some other delectable dish upon smelling it. The smell made me think of back when I lived in the Valley (not that valley, the other valley) and the local stop-and-rob—that’s a 7-11 type quickie-mart for those who need a definition—would often smell of fried fat; usually some sort of greasy animal parts not fit for human consumption. The odor caused my mind to think of fried chicken, mojo potatoes a.k.a. potato wedges, and all sorts of other artery-clogging food. Then my mind jumped to hot, sunny, dry-as-a-bone summer days with not a cloud in the sky; the dominant color being a golden sandy brown. The sun dazzles the eyes, nothing is green except for a random palm or dark green oak, the heat swelters like a dry sauna, and one wishes for less fried chicken and more ice cream.

A Blaze

Rating: NSS
I never thought it would happen, but it has. Universal Studios had a fire on the back lot on Sunday, and some famous movie backdrops burned; additionally, there was some damage to a vault which contained videos and film reels. Fortunately, there wer copies stored elsewhere. It would be a great loss to lose so much of our culture. Some may say that it is no loss, but movies are, in a way, the literature of our time. I wouldn't compare it to, say, a fire in Stratford-on-Avon, but it is a loss, nonetheless.

I admit to being a native-born Californian. As such, I freely admit to having taken the backlot tour at Universal Studios. I also freely admit that having grown up in the state of fruits, flakes, nuts, and O.J. can make reality seem surreal. Knowing Universal Studios and Disneyland and knowing that they are mere fascades made traveling to Europe slightly strange. I had to constantly remind myself that the historic buildings I saw were actual buildings which were used for actual life, not just a soundstage or a backdrop. In that sense, Universal Studios was a sham, a show.

I also admit to being a teacher. I understand the importance of history, I know the importance of literature--written, heard, viewed, etc. In this manner, Universal Studios has significance.

I have to ask this: If they rebuild, how will that affect the backlot tour? "Now we are passing through the place that looks like the set of --- movie. . .?" I don't think it'll have the same effect.

I'm not the only one with Issues

Rating: CNS
I'm having more computer issues at work. I truly think the computer is taking by background which says "I have Issues" personally. It did it again today! I was almost done typing a test review, I turned to assist someone who came into the office, and then my computer said, and I quote, "Blomp!" (in a musical sort of cross between exasperation and laughing at me) and popped up an error message that said something to the effect of "HA! and you thought you were almost done!" Actually the error message said something about a problem with a disk. That's when I began yelling and saying things like, "You stupid idiot, of course there's a problem with the disk--you're reading from the stinking hard drive!" At which point it threw up its figurative hands and informed me that if that was the way I was going to be, it would just close. Fortunately for me, but not for my students, I sort of saved the test review. Of course when I got to class with the worksheet, I was informed (sorry, Mrs. Mills) that there was a mistake in this part and that part. I then did what any decent person would have done: I blamed the computer. I hope nobody tells the computer--who knows what it might do to me tomorrow when I edit the test!

Friday the 13th on the 16th, or, Is it a Full Moon Already?

Rating: NSS
What was in the water on Friday? What a crazy day! It started with a hunt for a substitute teacher. After getting the 11th “no”, we begged, stole, and borrowed a teacher from the preschool. (If you want to be added to our sub list, just give me a call, I’ll put you on it!)
The 2nd graders were going on a field trip and one forgot his lunch, so I kindly begged the lunch lady to make a sack lunch for me. The minute I delivered it, I was informed (sorry for the passive again, Mrs. Mills) that another kid forgot his lunch, so I spent a couple more hours off and on trying to rectify that.
I am exasperated with my computer. It keeps looking for some sort of network connection that doesn’t exactly exist, so it’ll do vexing things like telling me it has an error reading from the file, it’s sorry, it must close. Only it won’t do that at convenient points; it will do it only when I’m in a hurry and almost done making changes to the test, of which I hadn’t clicked save yet; consequently, it makes me start all over. I think it just likes to see me cry. Or maybe it’s offended by my “I have issues” background and thinks it’s a personal affront to its computing abilities.
To top off the day, the 4th grade teacher calls from 4th grade camp telling me a kid has a snake bite (don’t worry, he’s okay, it wasn’t a poisonous snake), and the 1st grade teacher calls from the zoo saying that they’re all okay. They were locked down in one of the buildings for a while because the zoo had a bomb threat. The teacher had wanted to inform me that everything was copasetic in case a panicked parent phoned. Thanks.
Oh! I won’t even mention the other incident. Let’s just suffice it to say, please don’t take your cell phone in the bathroom with you!
There was a funny one that happened, however. Apparently kindergarteners tend to be very proud of their boo-boos. One little girl had scraped her elbow on the cement and was wearing her three band-aids very proudly. Two of the bandages had blue squares and she kept her sleeve rolled up and her elbow prominently sticking out for all to see. It was very funny in a cute, 5-year-old sort of way.
All I can say is what a day!