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!
Thursday, July 31, 2008
Wednesday, July 30, 2008
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!
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!
Monday, July 28, 2008
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.
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.
Friday, July 25, 2008
My Tour
Rating: SI 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.
Wednesday, July 23, 2008
Quick Thought
Rating: MS
Crossing bridges you didn't know you'd come to is one thing, burning them is something completely different.
Crossing bridges you didn't know you'd come to is one thing, burning them is something completely different.
Saturday, July 19, 2008
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.
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.
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.
Thursday, July 17, 2008
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.
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.
Wednesday, July 16, 2008
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.
Monday, July 14, 2008
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.
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.
Monday, July 7, 2008
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?)
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.
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.
Wednesday, July 2, 2008
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."
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."
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