Sunday, September 23, 2007
Monday, September 17, 2007
But why, Barry? Why?......No, really, why?
So Barry Manilow cancels on The View the day before a scheduled performance after the show refused to allow him to be interviewed by everyone EXCEPT Elisabeth Hasselbeck.
So, I read the EXCLUSIVE statement Barry gave to TMZ.com.
Okay, dangerous and offensive. Not really a detailed explanation of an apparently new phobia with appearing with her on the same stage. Did you note he was on the show last year twice, and he was gracious enough to show up in spite of Elisabeth's presence CO-HOSTING THE SHOW, WHICH IS HER JOB, BY THE WAY.....
....but I digress....
So, I go to Manilow's own website. I get this insightful announcement....
Monday, September 17, 2007
A message from Barry...
Hey guys,
I wanted to let you know that I will no longer be on The View tomorrow as scheduled. I had made a request that I be interviewed by Joy, Barbara or Whoopi, but not Elisabeth Hasselback. Unfortunately, the show was not willing to accommodate this simple request so I bowed out.
It’s really too bad because I've always been a big supporter of the show, but I cannot compromise my beliefs. The good news is that I will be on a whole slew of other shows promoting the new album so I hope you can catch me on those.
Love,
Barry
Okay---compromise his beliefs. Which, to this point, he has yet to express.
Obviously, TMZ itself had it right (she happens to commit the sin of being politically conservative).
This is Manilow's decision, except for the fact that he waited 'til the 11th hour, as if Elisabeth might become Hillary or something (which was rude to The View in total), and I certainly have no problem with his right not to do the show. I just wonder why he'd not had a problem the other times (doesn't he get his staff to research the political backgrounds of all talk show hosts?)
So, again, a member of the "tolerant progressives" proves they indeed are intolerant, too. The least Barry could've done was, well, explain himself.
Unfortunately, intolerance is not the property of any particular group of humans. We are all easily capable of doing it.
So, I read the EXCLUSIVE statement Barry gave to TMZ.com.
Okay, dangerous and offensive. Not really a detailed explanation of an apparently new phobia with appearing with her on the same stage. Did you note he was on the show last year twice, and he was gracious enough to show up in spite of Elisabeth's presence CO-HOSTING THE SHOW, WHICH IS HER JOB, BY THE WAY.....
....but I digress....
So, I go to Manilow's own website. I get this insightful announcement....
Monday, September 17, 2007
A message from Barry...
Hey guys,
I wanted to let you know that I will no longer be on The View tomorrow as scheduled. I had made a request that I be interviewed by Joy, Barbara or Whoopi, but not Elisabeth Hasselback. Unfortunately, the show was not willing to accommodate this simple request so I bowed out.
It’s really too bad because I've always been a big supporter of the show, but I cannot compromise my beliefs. The good news is that I will be on a whole slew of other shows promoting the new album so I hope you can catch me on those.
Love,
Barry
Okay---compromise his beliefs. Which, to this point, he has yet to express.
Obviously, TMZ itself had it right (she happens to commit the sin of being politically conservative).
This is Manilow's decision, except for the fact that he waited 'til the 11th hour, as if Elisabeth might become Hillary or something (which was rude to The View in total), and I certainly have no problem with his right not to do the show. I just wonder why he'd not had a problem the other times (doesn't he get his staff to research the political backgrounds of all talk show hosts?)
So, again, a member of the "tolerant progressives" proves they indeed are intolerant, too. The least Barry could've done was, well, explain himself.
Unfortunately, intolerance is not the property of any particular group of humans. We are all easily capable of doing it.
I don't think Sally Field was ever a "youth football" Mom.....
Apparently, Sally Field had something to say last night at the Emmys......
"And, let's face it, if the mothers ruled the war, there would be no (expletive) wars in the first place..."
Yeah.
Pit two moms with 12 year old sons on a youth football team whose kids are always on the bench, even though they're good players, against two moms with 12 year old sons on a youth football team whose dads are coaches, so their kids play all the time, even though they're not very good.
I think Sally will see it's not as cut and dry as she thinks it is.
:) :) :)
"And, let's face it, if the mothers ruled the war, there would be no (expletive) wars in the first place..."
Yeah.
Pit two moms with 12 year old sons on a youth football team whose kids are always on the bench, even though they're good players, against two moms with 12 year old sons on a youth football team whose dads are coaches, so their kids play all the time, even though they're not very good.
I think Sally will see it's not as cut and dry as she thinks it is.
:) :) :)
Sunday, September 16, 2007
No posts, now lotsa posts!
See below, as I went from no posting over several days to four posts on Saturday alone (and now this one just after midnight ET Sunday morning)
Scroll down to read about:
--James Brolin's complete insensitivity
--A game-winning field goal by a LADY named Rachel!
--holy laughter
--Bill Maher
--Simpletons for Jesus
--...and a drinking game! (non-alcoholic, of course).
Thank you! And good night. :)
Scroll down to read about:
--James Brolin's complete insensitivity
--A game-winning field goal by a LADY named Rachel!
--holy laughter
--Bill Maher
--Simpletons for Jesus
--...and a drinking game! (non-alcoholic, of course).
Thank you! And good night. :)
Saturday, September 15, 2007
What?!? What?!? WHAT?!? Happy 9/11??!!??
That was the pronouncement of James Brolin (aka Mr. Streisand) last Tuesday on a Connecticut radio show.
Click here. Someone help me....does he support Hillary?
P.S.----Content advisory!! Some links to questionable celebrity photos are on this page, too.
Click here. Someone help me....does he support Hillary?
P.S.----Content advisory!! Some links to questionable celebrity photos are on this page, too.
Rachel Moore, football star!!!
Rachel Moore kicks the game-winning 21 yard field goal as Hanover stuns Patrick Henry on Friday, 9/7, 29 to 28, on our opening night broadcast of PH football on the radio. More on this wild game soon, plus a look at their win last night over Atlee.
I LOVE HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL SEASON!!!
"God told me to...."---the drinking game!
Turn on many Christian TV programs tonight and you'll hear preachers, pundits, and others say the following (or words to this effect):
"God spoke to me...."
"The Lord said to me...."
"God told me to...."
Sometimes it's absolutely true, and praise God for that!! Other times though, it's brutally sad to see someone wrap their love for themselves, their fame, their power in the Christian community to make people believe they are constantly listening for the "voice of God".
How do you know the difference?
1) The Holy Spirit can show you; if you are in tune with Him;
2) listen to the context of which it's placed.
When the context is wrong, grab a Mountain Dew, put some in the shot glass, and take a drink!
Trust me, you won't get drunk, you won't act like you've been afflicted with "holy laughter", but you will have to go to the potty, probably more than once before going night-night.
THEN.....tomorrow night, choose, say, Coke instead, but use the term....
"Sow a seed...."
I promise you, you'll have a two-liter downed in many small quantities in under an hour. And yes, channel changing is allowed in order to search for said quotes.
Because they're all over the airwaves. Too bad more are used for earthly gain than for heavenly matters.
"God spoke to me...."
"The Lord said to me...."
"God told me to...."
Sometimes it's absolutely true, and praise God for that!! Other times though, it's brutally sad to see someone wrap their love for themselves, their fame, their power in the Christian community to make people believe they are constantly listening for the "voice of God".
How do you know the difference?
1) The Holy Spirit can show you; if you are in tune with Him;
2) listen to the context of which it's placed.
When the context is wrong, grab a Mountain Dew, put some in the shot glass, and take a drink!
Trust me, you won't get drunk, you won't act like you've been afflicted with "holy laughter", but you will have to go to the potty, probably more than once before going night-night.
THEN.....tomorrow night, choose, say, Coke instead, but use the term....
"Sow a seed...."
I promise you, you'll have a two-liter downed in many small quantities in under an hour. And yes, channel changing is allowed in order to search for said quotes.
Because they're all over the airwaves. Too bad more are used for earthly gain than for heavenly matters.
Bill Maher, meet Proverbs.....
....as funny as Bill Maher can be (the "New Rule" segment on his Real Time show last night was classic), he can also be as simplistic as those he says are, well, simplistic.
This exchange caught my ear at work the other evening with Chris Matthews, of Hardball (or Softball, or Loftball, or Beanball, depending upon the guest)....regarding (of course), the Iraq War and President Bush.
MATTHEWS: But you know, let‘s give President Bush credit. He‘s a conservative, and one thing you and I agree, conservatives tend to be pretty good when it comes to tribe. They understand tribal tendencies, ethnic prejudices, you know? He doesn‘t seem to understand why the Islamic people in that part of the world would have a problem with us landing 150,000 troops over there and building a permanent base in their world. He doesn‘t seem to understand the instinct they have to get us—the tissue rejection that they‘d feel toward us. He doesn‘t get it, it seems.
MAHER: Right, Chris, because he‘s not a reader. He didn‘t think he had to learn anything about Iraq before he invaded it because he prayed about it, and people who pray about something, Chris, don‘t need to learn. They don‘t need to talk to experts or Arabs or prime ministers or ambassadors. They talk directly to Jesus. Case closed.
---------------------------------
Hmmmmm.....so I don't need to learn because I pray. I got Jesus on the mainline, so screw the rest of you, eh?
A few nuggets of wisdom and advice from the guys who gave us Proverbs in the Old Testament suggest otherwise.....
First, easily the most quoted verses from Proverbs come from chapter 3, verses 5 and 6...
5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart
and lean not on your own understanding;
6 in all your ways acknowledge him,
and he will make your paths straight.
Well; proves Bill's point, doesn't it? Shut down your brain and follow your sense of hearing God and you're home free. Sounds simple enough.
But, that theory is destroyed when I see two words in verse five:
"....your own...."
One's own means the understanding I alone have cultivated over time, whether I sought anyone else's advice or not, prayed or not, read the Word of God or not, read the Koran to figure out Islam or not, etc, etc, etc. It's all sifted through the "Rob" filter, and that's pretty dangerous.
So, therefore, to fully grasp the wisdom found in this oft-quoted passage, let's remember that, just like God gave people the wisdom to create medications which heal the body, God also provides wisdom in the form of messengers. You know, like your spouse; or your parents...how about your best friend, your accountability group, your minister or priest....heck, sometimes it comes from a complete stranger! Maybe a blog you stumble upon (or so you think) but wisdom given to that author provides what you needed at that moment. God in the box. Stop thinking that way, my friends.
So, back to some verses from Proverbs, which, when adhered to, show that not only does God NOT have to "speak to you" about what color socks to wear tomorrow, but also that the opinion of Maher, in this case, is woefully simplistic.
-----------------------------------------
Proverbs 13:10 "Pride only breeds quarrels,
but wisdom is found in those who take advice."
Proverbs 19:2 "It is not good to have zeal without knowledge,
nor to be hasty and miss the way."
19:8 "He who gets wisdom loves his own soul;
he who cherishes understanding prospers."
19:27 "Stop listening to instruction, my son,
and you will stray from the words of knowledge."
......and finally, backing up a few verses to these two:
19:20 "Listen to advice and accept instruction,
and in the end you will be wise.
21 Many are the plans in a man's heart,
but it is the LORD's purpose that prevails."
------------------------------------------------
Sounds like we can find wisdom in many ways. And certainly, it is when we allow God to lead us in the direction of wisdom that verses 20 and 21 become alive for us.
BUT, there's the caveat of the Maher argument. "SEE, all that "wisdom" you're talking about has to come from JESUS." You do speak truth there.
BUT, as mentioned earlier, I'm not a "drone for Christ"; existing with no brain, charged to find an enemy and smite them for the apparent evidence of disobedience.
I've got enough smarts (I HOPE) in my brain to know things like, wear clothing in public or get arrested (as well as make hundreds sick to their stomachs). Wash your hair regularly to avoid, like, bugs. Find a tick after playing in the field all day? Ask God to take it and watch it fall off? Eh, normally I get a cotton ball and some rubbing alcohol, and woozy the poor leach to his/her death. And I cannot begin to tell you how many hours I've saved by not having to ask God each day to intercede for me as to whether I put my left shoe on first, or my right.
That way, when I do use the prayer time, I can work on being transparent on more important matters.
Bill, my case isn't "closed" when I pray to Jesus; because prayer is a 24/7 conversation in a lifelong journey. Christians who will be brutally honest with you would tell you that we miss the mark MANY times when thinking we "heard" what God said to us, only to discover later we didn't do our homework assignment. Those who DO think they always hear God right the first time probably include, in their population history, those who brought us such wonderful events as slaughter during the Crusades, et al.
I'm sorry that your understanding of a prayer life and the fact that Christians are charged to seek wisdom and advice from others (but not just ANYBODY) is limited.
Try the advice given from the above verses in Proverbs. Pretty wise stuff, if you ask me.
Excuse me, I gotta go seek God about this new issue I've got. Once and for all, I want to know what Jesus would say to the one who asks, "Paper or Plastic?"
This exchange caught my ear at work the other evening with Chris Matthews, of Hardball (or Softball, or Loftball, or Beanball, depending upon the guest)....regarding (of course), the Iraq War and President Bush.
MATTHEWS: But you know, let‘s give President Bush credit. He‘s a conservative, and one thing you and I agree, conservatives tend to be pretty good when it comes to tribe. They understand tribal tendencies, ethnic prejudices, you know? He doesn‘t seem to understand why the Islamic people in that part of the world would have a problem with us landing 150,000 troops over there and building a permanent base in their world. He doesn‘t seem to understand the instinct they have to get us—the tissue rejection that they‘d feel toward us. He doesn‘t get it, it seems.
MAHER: Right, Chris, because he‘s not a reader. He didn‘t think he had to learn anything about Iraq before he invaded it because he prayed about it, and people who pray about something, Chris, don‘t need to learn. They don‘t need to talk to experts or Arabs or prime ministers or ambassadors. They talk directly to Jesus. Case closed.
---------------------------------
Hmmmmm.....so I don't need to learn because I pray. I got Jesus on the mainline, so screw the rest of you, eh?
A few nuggets of wisdom and advice from the guys who gave us Proverbs in the Old Testament suggest otherwise.....
First, easily the most quoted verses from Proverbs come from chapter 3, verses 5 and 6...
5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart
and lean not on your own understanding;
6 in all your ways acknowledge him,
and he will make your paths straight.
Well; proves Bill's point, doesn't it? Shut down your brain and follow your sense of hearing God and you're home free. Sounds simple enough.
But, that theory is destroyed when I see two words in verse five:
"....your own...."
One's own means the understanding I alone have cultivated over time, whether I sought anyone else's advice or not, prayed or not, read the Word of God or not, read the Koran to figure out Islam or not, etc, etc, etc. It's all sifted through the "Rob" filter, and that's pretty dangerous.
So, therefore, to fully grasp the wisdom found in this oft-quoted passage, let's remember that, just like God gave people the wisdom to create medications which heal the body, God also provides wisdom in the form of messengers. You know, like your spouse; or your parents...how about your best friend, your accountability group, your minister or priest....heck, sometimes it comes from a complete stranger! Maybe a blog you stumble upon (or so you think) but wisdom given to that author provides what you needed at that moment. God in the box. Stop thinking that way, my friends.
So, back to some verses from Proverbs, which, when adhered to, show that not only does God NOT have to "speak to you" about what color socks to wear tomorrow, but also that the opinion of Maher, in this case, is woefully simplistic.
-----------------------------------------
Proverbs 13:10 "Pride only breeds quarrels,
but wisdom is found in those who take advice."
Proverbs 19:2 "It is not good to have zeal without knowledge,
nor to be hasty and miss the way."
19:8 "He who gets wisdom loves his own soul;
he who cherishes understanding prospers."
19:27 "Stop listening to instruction, my son,
and you will stray from the words of knowledge."
......and finally, backing up a few verses to these two:
19:20 "Listen to advice and accept instruction,
and in the end you will be wise.
21 Many are the plans in a man's heart,
but it is the LORD's purpose that prevails."
------------------------------------------------
Sounds like we can find wisdom in many ways. And certainly, it is when we allow God to lead us in the direction of wisdom that verses 20 and 21 become alive for us.
BUT, there's the caveat of the Maher argument. "SEE, all that "wisdom" you're talking about has to come from JESUS." You do speak truth there.
BUT, as mentioned earlier, I'm not a "drone for Christ"; existing with no brain, charged to find an enemy and smite them for the apparent evidence of disobedience.
I've got enough smarts (I HOPE) in my brain to know things like, wear clothing in public or get arrested (as well as make hundreds sick to their stomachs). Wash your hair regularly to avoid, like, bugs. Find a tick after playing in the field all day? Ask God to take it and watch it fall off? Eh, normally I get a cotton ball and some rubbing alcohol, and woozy the poor leach to his/her death. And I cannot begin to tell you how many hours I've saved by not having to ask God each day to intercede for me as to whether I put my left shoe on first, or my right.
That way, when I do use the prayer time, I can work on being transparent on more important matters.
Bill, my case isn't "closed" when I pray to Jesus; because prayer is a 24/7 conversation in a lifelong journey. Christians who will be brutally honest with you would tell you that we miss the mark MANY times when thinking we "heard" what God said to us, only to discover later we didn't do our homework assignment. Those who DO think they always hear God right the first time probably include, in their population history, those who brought us such wonderful events as slaughter during the Crusades, et al.
I'm sorry that your understanding of a prayer life and the fact that Christians are charged to seek wisdom and advice from others (but not just ANYBODY) is limited.
Try the advice given from the above verses in Proverbs. Pretty wise stuff, if you ask me.
Excuse me, I gotta go seek God about this new issue I've got. Once and for all, I want to know what Jesus would say to the one who asks, "Paper or Plastic?"
Wednesday, September 12, 2007
Tuesday, September 04, 2007
Remind me.....
....to talk about Bill Maher's simplistic degradation of people like me who "talk to Jesus" on today's Hardball on PMSNBC.
Wonder how many times he's read the book of Proverbs?
Wonder how many times he's read the book of Proverbs?
A Frozen Tundra Better Than Lambeau Field.....
Click here for an incredible story on how one person can make a difference....thousands and thousands of miles away.
Oh, and always good to see Elizabeth Vargas!
Oh, and always good to see Elizabeth Vargas!
Monday, August 27, 2007
CNN's "God's Warriors".....
Though I know I'm a little late in discussing this topic, I have just a few thoughts on the three-night documentary.
GREAT:
1) What was covered on all three fronts was covered very well. I especially was impressed with night one, "Jewish Warriors", for the scope and breadth of the analysis of facets of present-day Judaism, complemented by comments and views from those quite orthodox.
2) Amanpour. No one is perfect or completely unbiased, but she's about as close as they come, and having her do this made perfect sense. No one else in news comes close when it comes to credentials. Not even Anderson Cooper (insert tongue in cheek here).
3) Greg Boyd. God bless Greg Boyd!!! The point of the feature with him I absolutely cannot agree with more! STOP the marriage between evangelical Christianity and conservative American politics! I think I said this in a post a LONG time back, but if we had taken all the money spent on political causes, et al from Christians and spent it instead on feeding the poor, caring for the sick, and loving people no matter Red State or Blue State, we'd see alot more people lovin' Jesus. Let the Holy Spirit change hearts!! We focus on Jesus. Deal? Deal!
GOOD:
1) The first two nights, "Jewish", and "Muslim" Warriors. I learned much and appreciated the opportunity to do so, rather than seeing another night of Larry King bumbling through an interview on the latest with Paris Hilton/Lindsey Lohan/insert name of irrelevant person here.
2) Overall span of interview subjects; wide ranging that I could see, at least on the first two nights.
3) Rehan Seyam. Not deterred by the majority of Americans who would look at her in traditional Muslim wear (with headscarf) thinking she was a homicide bomber, she lives her faith, all the way. Her frank comments about never wanting anyone to see her body in a revealing way other than her husband was, frankly, a welcome breath of fresh air to hear a Muslim woman in America make that statement. Granted, I know, I know, if she were in an Arab nation, her story would not exist, for she wouldn't be able to be outspoken in the first place.
FAIR:
1) Night three: "Christian" Warriors. While doing a good job in discussing present day evangelical Christianity in America, it actually overdid it. How many "Religious Right White Guy" stories did we really need? Other than John Hagee's "Christian Zionist" drive, the others (Falwell, Johnson, et al) were repetitive.
2) Ron Luce and Teen Mania--much, too much emphasis on Luce looking like a Taliban leader raising the next generation of homicidal warriors....and catching them in San Fran was a nice backdrop to it all. One of the few cheap shots in the entire series.
BAD:
Did anyone else notice what few commercials were in the first night's two hours regarding the Jews, and very little additional commercial time on night two? Then, the night of the Christian Warriors...EVERY time you turn around...commercials! But first, five promos on Soledad O'Brien, Spike Lee, and the fourth airing of a Diana retrospective.
Guess which night they thought they'd get the most viewers?
VERY VERY DISAPPOINTING: Instead of talking to multiple white guy leaders of the Religious Right, why not investigating the post-modern church movement beginning a groundswell in Europe, Christian persecution around the world, and what's it like to be a Christian in a country like China? Having the whole two hours on Christianity in America actually distorted the real worldview and current world experience of the Christian Church.
On the whole, 4 out of 5 stars. It was a huge undertaking, and I applaud CNN for that. :)
GREAT:
1) What was covered on all three fronts was covered very well. I especially was impressed with night one, "Jewish Warriors", for the scope and breadth of the analysis of facets of present-day Judaism, complemented by comments and views from those quite orthodox.
2) Amanpour. No one is perfect or completely unbiased, but she's about as close as they come, and having her do this made perfect sense. No one else in news comes close when it comes to credentials. Not even Anderson Cooper (insert tongue in cheek here).
3) Greg Boyd. God bless Greg Boyd!!! The point of the feature with him I absolutely cannot agree with more! STOP the marriage between evangelical Christianity and conservative American politics! I think I said this in a post a LONG time back, but if we had taken all the money spent on political causes, et al from Christians and spent it instead on feeding the poor, caring for the sick, and loving people no matter Red State or Blue State, we'd see alot more people lovin' Jesus. Let the Holy Spirit change hearts!! We focus on Jesus. Deal? Deal!
GOOD:
1) The first two nights, "Jewish", and "Muslim" Warriors. I learned much and appreciated the opportunity to do so, rather than seeing another night of Larry King bumbling through an interview on the latest with Paris Hilton/Lindsey Lohan/insert name of irrelevant person here.
2) Overall span of interview subjects; wide ranging that I could see, at least on the first two nights.
3) Rehan Seyam. Not deterred by the majority of Americans who would look at her in traditional Muslim wear (with headscarf) thinking she was a homicide bomber, she lives her faith, all the way. Her frank comments about never wanting anyone to see her body in a revealing way other than her husband was, frankly, a welcome breath of fresh air to hear a Muslim woman in America make that statement. Granted, I know, I know, if she were in an Arab nation, her story would not exist, for she wouldn't be able to be outspoken in the first place.
FAIR:
1) Night three: "Christian" Warriors. While doing a good job in discussing present day evangelical Christianity in America, it actually overdid it. How many "Religious Right White Guy" stories did we really need? Other than John Hagee's "Christian Zionist" drive, the others (Falwell, Johnson, et al) were repetitive.
2) Ron Luce and Teen Mania--much, too much emphasis on Luce looking like a Taliban leader raising the next generation of homicidal warriors....and catching them in San Fran was a nice backdrop to it all. One of the few cheap shots in the entire series.
BAD:
Did anyone else notice what few commercials were in the first night's two hours regarding the Jews, and very little additional commercial time on night two? Then, the night of the Christian Warriors...EVERY time you turn around...commercials! But first, five promos on Soledad O'Brien, Spike Lee, and the fourth airing of a Diana retrospective.
Guess which night they thought they'd get the most viewers?
VERY VERY DISAPPOINTING: Instead of talking to multiple white guy leaders of the Religious Right, why not investigating the post-modern church movement beginning a groundswell in Europe, Christian persecution around the world, and what's it like to be a Christian in a country like China? Having the whole two hours on Christianity in America actually distorted the real worldview and current world experience of the Christian Church.
On the whole, 4 out of 5 stars. It was a huge undertaking, and I applaud CNN for that. :)
Sunday, August 26, 2007
I have some catching up to do......
....I have much to say regarding several things; but have been either in bed, at work, and/or in limbo the past several days.
--The CNN Documentary Series, "God's Warriors" gives me the chance to offer lots of comments on not only the TV event, but the state of religion.
--Been studying online recently on our good friends in the crazy camp of Christianity, Prosperity Theology, with special guest stars, holy laughter, and getting caught using earpieces.
--The upcoming football season, of course!
--Current events (Utah, Greece, Floods, Drought, some TV news changes, Supertramp in a commercial, the Orioles' pitching staff, the LLWS walk-off HR, and more...)
BUT....no commentary on Michael Vick.
I'll be around; promise. :)
--The CNN Documentary Series, "God's Warriors" gives me the chance to offer lots of comments on not only the TV event, but the state of religion.
--Been studying online recently on our good friends in the crazy camp of Christianity, Prosperity Theology, with special guest stars, holy laughter, and getting caught using earpieces.
--The upcoming football season, of course!
--Current events (Utah, Greece, Floods, Drought, some TV news changes, Supertramp in a commercial, the Orioles' pitching staff, the LLWS walk-off HR, and more...)
BUT....no commentary on Michael Vick.
I'll be around; promise. :)
Tuesday, August 21, 2007
Watch this report, and remember those who sacrificed...
....I saw this on the CBS Evening News tonight.
I urge you to watch this and then go get more information. I'm going to.
I urge you to watch this and then go get more information. I'm going to.
Friday, August 17, 2007
The Storm, The Sequel, Its Powerful Cousin, and the long-lasting crazy uncle filled with lightning and thunder.......
I was so engrossed in work and other stuff yesterday that I totally forgot there might be a chance of thunderstorms in the evening.....
....it did hit 100 degrees, so the cauldron had been stirred apparently. When I turned on the TV at work to listen to the evening news, I'm greeted by radar pictures showing a fierce thunderstorm cell over Louisa County (seems like Mama's gotten little rest this summer with tons of storms rolling right over the cemetery up there....)
Oh, that's right, I thought. There's a chance for storms. A chance. Yeah, right.
As the next 30 minutes pass and I see that storm continue to rock, roll, blossom, and blow through the radar screen, I realize it's headed our way, it's a force to be reckoned with.....my family's at home and I'm not, and a good friend is a sitting duck on a football field watching youth football practice.
About four phone calls and a report of 92 mph winds 10 minutes from my friend and 25 from my house, I know the family is in and safe, and I'm happy to hear my friend and her boy are headed home!
So, this is storm one coming through; once it hit the station, HEAVY rain, TONS of lightning and thunder, and six close-calls where power was lost, but popped right back on. This is 730 or 8p.
By 9p or so, here comes another round; didn't know that was coming; but it wasn't as severe and rain was the star. I call home at 10p announcing my exit from work, only to get into a conversation with someone, and not leaving until 1030pm.....
....and as I left the building, totally and completely unbeknownst to me.....
....I walked into round three. It was about as vicious as round one. Tremendous wind, torrential rain, and a lightning show that left you breathless. From awe, and, while driving, from fear.
My prevalent thought going home was "watch the trees". And I had never had that thought driving in a storm before. Wind and ponding rain, but not the trees. So, I kept that at the forefront, as well as looking for the sudden "road ponds", and slowly, slowly headed for home, the van being rocked one way and another.
When I get to Wawa, I find them the last vestige of electricity. So, with some angst, I head down Old Staples Mill Road, which has been known to pond, and now with Target being built right beside it, who knows how the waterflow will be....or not be....now.
Had some ponds, made it through. Until just before I get to Hungary Road. A police car just on the scene.
A tree. Yes, a tree. Road blocked. I turn around in a minivan, whose transmission is quite suspect at this time, now needs to turn around on a two lane road, while NOT coming close to either ditch, not knowing their depth, or their current, well, water current.
Thanks to God, a success. So, back to Wawa, down Staples Mill more, a longer way home, and then in the house. About 1050pm. Rachel clings to me; I'm tired and still surprised.
Finally, after 1am, as I go to fall asleep, I see a new event outside my window...
....storm number four.
Strong lightning for an hour, or two, or so, isn't incredibly unusual....
We were at 5 1/2 hours when I drifted off to night-night after 1am.
So, while the crazy uncle outside told more "light stories" in the sky, my body, mind, and psyche called it a day.
Whew!
....it did hit 100 degrees, so the cauldron had been stirred apparently. When I turned on the TV at work to listen to the evening news, I'm greeted by radar pictures showing a fierce thunderstorm cell over Louisa County (seems like Mama's gotten little rest this summer with tons of storms rolling right over the cemetery up there....)
Oh, that's right, I thought. There's a chance for storms. A chance. Yeah, right.
As the next 30 minutes pass and I see that storm continue to rock, roll, blossom, and blow through the radar screen, I realize it's headed our way, it's a force to be reckoned with.....my family's at home and I'm not, and a good friend is a sitting duck on a football field watching youth football practice.
About four phone calls and a report of 92 mph winds 10 minutes from my friend and 25 from my house, I know the family is in and safe, and I'm happy to hear my friend and her boy are headed home!
So, this is storm one coming through; once it hit the station, HEAVY rain, TONS of lightning and thunder, and six close-calls where power was lost, but popped right back on. This is 730 or 8p.
By 9p or so, here comes another round; didn't know that was coming; but it wasn't as severe and rain was the star. I call home at 10p announcing my exit from work, only to get into a conversation with someone, and not leaving until 1030pm.....
....and as I left the building, totally and completely unbeknownst to me.....
....I walked into round three. It was about as vicious as round one. Tremendous wind, torrential rain, and a lightning show that left you breathless. From awe, and, while driving, from fear.
My prevalent thought going home was "watch the trees". And I had never had that thought driving in a storm before. Wind and ponding rain, but not the trees. So, I kept that at the forefront, as well as looking for the sudden "road ponds", and slowly, slowly headed for home, the van being rocked one way and another.
When I get to Wawa, I find them the last vestige of electricity. So, with some angst, I head down Old Staples Mill Road, which has been known to pond, and now with Target being built right beside it, who knows how the waterflow will be....or not be....now.
Had some ponds, made it through. Until just before I get to Hungary Road. A police car just on the scene.
A tree. Yes, a tree. Road blocked. I turn around in a minivan, whose transmission is quite suspect at this time, now needs to turn around on a two lane road, while NOT coming close to either ditch, not knowing their depth, or their current, well, water current.
Thanks to God, a success. So, back to Wawa, down Staples Mill more, a longer way home, and then in the house. About 1050pm. Rachel clings to me; I'm tired and still surprised.
Finally, after 1am, as I go to fall asleep, I see a new event outside my window...
....storm number four.
Strong lightning for an hour, or two, or so, isn't incredibly unusual....
We were at 5 1/2 hours when I drifted off to night-night after 1am.
So, while the crazy uncle outside told more "light stories" in the sky, my body, mind, and psyche called it a day.
Whew!
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