Because it's been a sh*tty two weeks due to happenings in the family, capped off by the car wreck, and because my daughter thinks that her parents should not be allowed out and about on their own in the city of New Orleans, she sent me the following email of unknown source:
To Maintain a Healthy Level of Insanity
1. At Lunch Time, Sit In Your Parked Car With Sunglasses on and point a Hair Dryer At Passing Cars. See If They Slow Down.
2. Page Yourself Over The Intercom. Don't Disguise Your Voice.
3. Every Time Someone Asks You To Do Something, Ask If They Want Fries with that.
4. Put Your Garbage Can On Your Desk And Label It 'In.'
5. Put Decaf In The Coffee Maker For 3 Weeks. Once Everyone has Gotten Over Their Caffeine Addictions, Switch to Espresso.
6. In The Memo Field Of All Your Checks, Write 'For Smuggling Diamonds'.
7. Finish All Your sentences with 'In Accordance With The Prophecy.'
8. Don t use any punctuation.
9. As Often As Possible, Skip Rather Than Walk.
10 . Order a Diet Water whenever you go out to eat...use a serious face.
11. Specify That Your Drive-through Order Is 'To Go.'
12. Sing Along At The Opera.
13. Go To A Poetry Recital And Ask Why The Poems Don't Rhyme.
14. Put Mosquito Netting Around Your Work Area And Play tropical Sounds All Day.
15. Five Days In Advance, Tell Your Friends You Can't Attend Their Party Because You're Not In The Mood.
16. Have Your Coworkers Address You By Your Wrestling Name, Rock Bottom.
17. When The Money Comes Out of The ATM, Scream 'I Won!, I Won!'
18. When Leaving The Zoo, Start Running Towards The Parking lot, Yelling, 'Run For Your Lives, They're Loose!!'
19. Tell Your Children Over Dinner. 'Due To The Economy, We Are Going To Have To Let One Of You Go.'
20. And The Final Way To Keep A Healthy Level Of Insanity......Send This E-mail To Someone To Make Them Smile.
It's Called Therapy
I'm doing better than emails. I'm posting it.
Friday, January 18, 2008
Thursday, January 17, 2008
Pray For Kirstin
I was going to wait until tomorrow to tell you about our drama at the end of our visit with Kirstin, who is the loveliest of ladies, so charming and smart and sweet. Grandpère and I had a most enjoyable lunch with her, and afterwards went to drive around the Garden District through the side streets off St. Charles Avenue, where there are many beautiful old houses. We came to a stop sign, and Grandpère stopped, but, unfortunately, he started up in the path of a taxi, which hit us in the rear wheel and spun us around. From the strength of the impact, I believe he must have been going fast, but he had the right of way, and GP did not.
I heard from Kirstin tonight, and she has a headache and back pain. She will seek medical attention tomorrow. In the meantime, please pray for her. GP and I are fine. We were able to drive the car home, but it is finished. I will be getting another car sooner than expected.
I regret so that our gathering ended as it did. Please pray for Kirstin.
I heard from Kirstin tonight, and she has a headache and back pain. She will seek medical attention tomorrow. In the meantime, please pray for her. GP and I are fine. We were able to drive the car home, but it is finished. I will be getting another car sooner than expected.
I regret so that our gathering ended as it did. Please pray for Kirstin.
"Walkin' To New Orleans"
Today I will be in New Orleans to meet Kirstin, pictured above, who is working on a project there. Her blog is Barefoot and Laughing. I am soooo looking forward to getting together with Kirstin.
It's time I'm walkin' to New Orleans
I'm walkin' to New Orleans
I'm going to need two pair of shoes
When I get through walkin' to you
When I get back to New Orleans
I'm not really walkin', as Fats did, but I'm headin' there.
Feast Day Of Antony Of Egypt
A brief biography by James Kiefer is posted at the Lectionary. I'm heading out, but I wanted to post this quote:
His biography was written by Athanasius, who said of him: "Who ever met him grieving and failed to go away rejoicing?"
What a lovely way to be remembered!
Readings:
Psalm 91:9-16 or 1
1 Peter 5:6-10
Mark 10:17-21
PRAYER
O God, who by your Holy Spirit enabled your servant Antony to withstand the temptations of the world, the flesh, and the devil: Give us grace, with pure hearts and minds, to follow you, the only God; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.
I've taken the picture from Padre Mickey's Dance Party. As usual for the early saints, Padre Mickey has written a fine biography of Antony at his site.
Wednesday, January 16, 2008
Nearly 200,000 Homeless Veterans
An email from Paul Rieckhoff of the Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America:
Dear June,
Last night, Bill O'Reilly raised an important topic on his television show: the plight of homeless veterans.
Unfortunately, he got the facts wrong.
O'Reilly: "They (homeless veterans) may be out there, but there's not many of them out there. Okay?...If you know where there is a veteran, sleeping under a bridge, you call me immediately, and we will make sure that man does not do it."
Despite O'Reilly's doubts, the facts are irrefutable. According to the Department of Veterans Affairs, almost 200,000 veterans sleep on our nation's streets each night. And Iraq and Afghanistan veterans are joining those ranks at an alarming rate.
Click here to sign an open letter to Bill O'Reilly, telling him that he needs to set the record straight as soon as possible. This issue is far too important to be swept under the rug. You can also learn more about the issue of homeless veterans, and find out what you can do to help.
As an IAVA Supporter, you're more familiar with this issue than most people. Sadly, many Americans still don't realize that veterans make up about one-third of the adult homeless population.
No matter how you feel about Bill O'Reilly, there's no denying the fact that he has a huge audience - an estimated 2.3 million people tune in each weekday night. So take a minute to urge Bill O'Reilly to correct his mistake. He has a great opportunity to help homeless veterans by bringing more attention to the issue, and you can urge him to be part of the solution.
Thank you for standing with us.
Sincerely,
Paul
It's easy.
UPDATE: See Mike in Texas for a link to a hilarious video which shows the performance of an oratorio, Mackris v. O’Reilly, a work by Igor Keller, with the libretto consisting of a verbatim transcript of of the phone call between O'Reilly and Andrea Makris, who brought a sexual harassment complaint against Bill O'Reilly in 2004. The libretto includes the falafel reference. Here's the link to further information on the oratorio.
Dear June,
Last night, Bill O'Reilly raised an important topic on his television show: the plight of homeless veterans.
Unfortunately, he got the facts wrong.
O'Reilly: "They (homeless veterans) may be out there, but there's not many of them out there. Okay?...If you know where there is a veteran, sleeping under a bridge, you call me immediately, and we will make sure that man does not do it."
Despite O'Reilly's doubts, the facts are irrefutable. According to the Department of Veterans Affairs, almost 200,000 veterans sleep on our nation's streets each night. And Iraq and Afghanistan veterans are joining those ranks at an alarming rate.
Click here to sign an open letter to Bill O'Reilly, telling him that he needs to set the record straight as soon as possible. This issue is far too important to be swept under the rug. You can also learn more about the issue of homeless veterans, and find out what you can do to help.
As an IAVA Supporter, you're more familiar with this issue than most people. Sadly, many Americans still don't realize that veterans make up about one-third of the adult homeless population.
No matter how you feel about Bill O'Reilly, there's no denying the fact that he has a huge audience - an estimated 2.3 million people tune in each weekday night. So take a minute to urge Bill O'Reilly to correct his mistake. He has a great opportunity to help homeless veterans by bringing more attention to the issue, and you can urge him to be part of the solution.
Thank you for standing with us.
Sincerely,
Paul
It's easy.
UPDATE: See Mike in Texas for a link to a hilarious video which shows the performance of an oratorio, Mackris v. O’Reilly, a work by Igor Keller, with the libretto consisting of a verbatim transcript of of the phone call between O'Reilly and Andrea Makris, who brought a sexual harassment complaint against Bill O'Reilly in 2004. The libretto includes the falafel reference. Here's the link to further information on the oratorio.
About Bishop Robert Duncan
From Episcopal News Service:
The Episcopal Church's Title IV Review Committee has certified that Episcopal Diocese of Pittsburgh Bishop Robert Duncan has abandoned the communion of the church.
Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori informed Duncan on January 15 of the certification and sent him a copy.
Her letter told Duncan that she sought the canonically required permission from the House's three senior bishops with jurisdiction to inhibit him, based on the certification, from the performance of any episcopal, ministerial or canonical acts.
"On 11 January 2008 they informed me that such consents would not be given at this time by all three bishops," Jefferts Schori wrote.
Unlike Bp. Schofield of San Joaquin, he will be free to exercise his ministry in both spiritual and temporal affairs, because the three senior bishops did not vote to inhibit him. He will have a period of 60 days to recant, or to prove the charges against him false, or to renounce his orders.
What a sorry, sorry time for this church of ours. Bishop Duncan has been castigating the Episcopal church and threatening to leave for quite a long time. This action by Presiding Bishop Jefferts-Schori was entirely to be expected. No one should be surprised.
I offer prayers for all the members of the Diocese of Pittsburgh, those who want to remain and those who want to leave the Episcopal Church, hoping beyond hope that this situation may have a peaceful resolution.
The Episcopal Church's Title IV Review Committee has certified that Episcopal Diocese of Pittsburgh Bishop Robert Duncan has abandoned the communion of the church.
Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori informed Duncan on January 15 of the certification and sent him a copy.
Her letter told Duncan that she sought the canonically required permission from the House's three senior bishops with jurisdiction to inhibit him, based on the certification, from the performance of any episcopal, ministerial or canonical acts.
"On 11 January 2008 they informed me that such consents would not be given at this time by all three bishops," Jefferts Schori wrote.
Unlike Bp. Schofield of San Joaquin, he will be free to exercise his ministry in both spiritual and temporal affairs, because the three senior bishops did not vote to inhibit him. He will have a period of 60 days to recant, or to prove the charges against him false, or to renounce his orders.
What a sorry, sorry time for this church of ours. Bishop Duncan has been castigating the Episcopal church and threatening to leave for quite a long time. This action by Presiding Bishop Jefferts-Schori was entirely to be expected. No one should be surprised.
I offer prayers for all the members of the Diocese of Pittsburgh, those who want to remain and those who want to leave the Episcopal Church, hoping beyond hope that this situation may have a peaceful resolution.
The World Watches
From the Washington Post:
John Mbugua, 56, a taxi driver in Mombasa, Kenya, woke himself at 3 a.m. the day of the Iowa caucuses and flipped on CNN. He said he watched for hours, not understanding precisely what or where Iowa was but thrilled about the victory of Barack Obama, the first U.S. presidential contender with Kenyan roots.
John isn't the only observer from outside the US who is interested in the presidential election process here.
"It's a great spectacle, and people are avidly devouring it," said Jeremy O'Grady, editor in chief of the Week, a British magazine.
....
"Love it or loathe it, this is still a world dominated by one great power," he said. "Even if we can't influence the election, we want to see how it turns out."
I can't say that I find fault with their interest. With Bush, the loose canon, in office for the last seven years, with great military might behind him, I'd be watching, no matter where I lived.
But much of the enthusiasm comes from anticipation of President Bush's departure, according to several analysts. U.S. prestige and popularity in much of the world have sunk to historic lows since Bush took office, over such issues as the Iraq war and climate change.
Yes! Here, too! With many of my fellow citizens, I can't wait for him to be gone. He's at 29% approval ratings according to the CBS/New York Times poll. I freely admit that I picked the lowest number that I could find. Yay 29%!
From England, to Brussels, to Iceland, to South Africa, to China, and, I'm sure, many other countries, they are watching. People want to know.
Last, but most certainly, not least, come these words in the comments from my virtual friend, Themethatisme, from the North of England:
Blogger themethatisme said...
I must admit I am increasingly fascinated by this process on t'other side of the pond. I've never been to the USA, have never fancied going, I've only ever met one American that I would happily meet again, (and he's dead now so that's not imminent. But I'm following this election in a way I have never done before. It can only be OCICBW influence in my life....
He may sound a bit anti-American (Can you blame him?) and misanthropic, but he's not, actually. He's truly quite nice. He was kind enough to say that if he met me, he was sure that he would like me.
In his most recent post, he says this about the British press:
The press are the most unclean thing around this country, traducing thought and reason, into pitch battles for the purposes of making money.
Isn't that an apt description of the US press, also? I could not have said it half so well. Those good words should soften your American hearts towards him.
UPDATE: TheMe has answered my charges of anti-Americanism and misanthropy in a post at his blog site.
I remind everyone of the words on the right sidebar of my blog, "Wounded Bird, on occasion, indulges in irony." In truth, I love TheMe. His wife should worry. He's not at all misanthropic or anit-American.
John Mbugua, 56, a taxi driver in Mombasa, Kenya, woke himself at 3 a.m. the day of the Iowa caucuses and flipped on CNN. He said he watched for hours, not understanding precisely what or where Iowa was but thrilled about the victory of Barack Obama, the first U.S. presidential contender with Kenyan roots.
John isn't the only observer from outside the US who is interested in the presidential election process here.
"It's a great spectacle, and people are avidly devouring it," said Jeremy O'Grady, editor in chief of the Week, a British magazine.
....
"Love it or loathe it, this is still a world dominated by one great power," he said. "Even if we can't influence the election, we want to see how it turns out."
I can't say that I find fault with their interest. With Bush, the loose canon, in office for the last seven years, with great military might behind him, I'd be watching, no matter where I lived.
But much of the enthusiasm comes from anticipation of President Bush's departure, according to several analysts. U.S. prestige and popularity in much of the world have sunk to historic lows since Bush took office, over such issues as the Iraq war and climate change.
Yes! Here, too! With many of my fellow citizens, I can't wait for him to be gone. He's at 29% approval ratings according to the CBS/New York Times poll. I freely admit that I picked the lowest number that I could find. Yay 29%!
From England, to Brussels, to Iceland, to South Africa, to China, and, I'm sure, many other countries, they are watching. People want to know.
Last, but most certainly, not least, come these words in the comments from my virtual friend, Themethatisme, from the North of England:
Blogger themethatisme said...
I must admit I am increasingly fascinated by this process on t'other side of the pond. I've never been to the USA, have never fancied going, I've only ever met one American that I would happily meet again, (and he's dead now so that's not imminent. But I'm following this election in a way I have never done before. It can only be OCICBW influence in my life....
He may sound a bit anti-American (Can you blame him?) and misanthropic, but he's not, actually. He's truly quite nice. He was kind enough to say that if he met me, he was sure that he would like me.
In his most recent post, he says this about the British press:
The press are the most unclean thing around this country, traducing thought and reason, into pitch battles for the purposes of making money.
Isn't that an apt description of the US press, also? I could not have said it half so well. Those good words should soften your American hearts towards him.
UPDATE: TheMe has answered my charges of anti-Americanism and misanthropy in a post at his blog site.
I remind everyone of the words on the right sidebar of my blog, "Wounded Bird, on occasion, indulges in irony." In truth, I love TheMe. His wife should worry. He's not at all misanthropic or anit-American.
Chris Dodd Retiring?
Dear June -
No, I'm not retiring from the Senate - I'm working hard as ever, to restore the Constitution, stop that terrible FISA bill and put a Democrat in the White House.
But after our incredible journey campaigning for the Presidency, there is something that does need retiring: our debt.
My internet team tells me the campaign inbox was flooded with messages of thanks and inquiries about how you can continue to help now that the presidential campaign is over.
Dodd is right. We must put a Democrat in the White House. He took a brave stand in the Senate on the FISA bill, which must be stopped. The fight is not over. Rock on in the Senate, Chris.
No, I'm not retiring from the Senate - I'm working hard as ever, to restore the Constitution, stop that terrible FISA bill and put a Democrat in the White House.
But after our incredible journey campaigning for the Presidency, there is something that does need retiring: our debt.
My internet team tells me the campaign inbox was flooded with messages of thanks and inquiries about how you can continue to help now that the presidential campaign is over.
Dodd is right. We must put a Democrat in the White House. He took a brave stand in the Senate on the FISA bill, which must be stopped. The fight is not over. Rock on in the Senate, Chris.
Tuesday, January 15, 2008
Huckabee Wants Change In Constitution
From MSNBC:
"[Some of my opponents] do not want to change the Constitution, but I believe it's a lot easier to change the constitution than it would be to change the word of the living God, and that's what we need to do is to amend the Constitution so it's in God's standards rather than try to change God's standards," Huckabee said, referring to the need for a constitutional human life amendment and an amendment defining marriage as between a man and a woman.
My bolding.
Plus, he will fence the entire border, extending nearly 2000 miles, between the US and Mexico within 18 months of taking office.
"[Some of my opponents] do not want to change the Constitution, but I believe it's a lot easier to change the constitution than it would be to change the word of the living God, and that's what we need to do is to amend the Constitution so it's in God's standards rather than try to change God's standards," Huckabee said, referring to the need for a constitutional human life amendment and an amendment defining marriage as between a man and a woman.
My bolding.
Plus, he will fence the entire border, extending nearly 2000 miles, between the US and Mexico within 18 months of taking office.
Bush Warns Iran
From the Washington Post:
Bush sought to address the Iranian people directly, saying: "You have a right to live under a government that listens to your wishes, respects your talents and allows you to build better lives for your families. Unfortunately, your government denies you these opportunities and threatens the peace and stability of your neighbors. So we call on the regime in Tehran to heed your will and to make itself accountable to you."
Change a few names and the president could have been addressing us here in the US, his own people. He does not listen to our wishes. He is at 34% approval rating. He does not respect us. He spies on us, and he is not allowing us to build better lives for our families. He denies opportunity to many, while helping to make the rich richer. His own policies and actions are the biggest threats to our peace and security. His maladministration operates in secrecy and does not make itself accountable to us. How can he speak about these things? What hypocrisy! It makes my blood boil when he lectures the leaders of other countries about freedom, when he has taken away the freedoms of his own citizens and made such a gigantic mess of things here at home.
Recently, I heard of one person who is self-employed, who had to drop his health insurance, because he could no longer afford it. Just today, I heard of another couple whose employer pays half their premium, but they will have to pay $200 more a month for the same insurance coverage, because premiums have risen. They soon won't be able to afford to pay even with help from their employer. Is that taking care of your own people, Mr. Bush? Give me a break from your lectures to other leaders! You have no moral standing to lecture anyone.
Bush's comments on Iran were part of a speech devoted to advancing the cause of freedom and democracy in the Middle East. It was the latest in a steady volley of attacks on the country in the past week that began even before he left for Jerusalem last Tuesday.
Let's hope that the Iranian leadership won't take you as an example of how a leader advances freedom and democracy, Mr. Bush. We'll be well rid of your leadership when your term ends in a year. I'm only sorry that we have to wait that long, allowing you to do further damage, before you fade into the sunset.
Bush is trying to persuade Arab countries to join U.S. efforts to pressure Iran, though many appear ambivalent about the administration's campaign following a new U.S. intelligence report that concluded Iran stopped a nuclear weapons program in 2003
According to Newsweek:
In public, President Bush has been careful to reassure Israel and other allies that he still sees Iran as a threat, while not disavowing his administration's recent National Intelligence Estimate.
....
But in private conversations with Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert last week, the president all but disowned the document, said a senior administration official who accompanied Bush on his six-nation trip to the Mideast.
Bush's conclusions differ from those of his own intelligence agencies. On what evidence does he base his own differing conclusions? I'm sure that the views that he voiced are very much in line with what Olmert wants to hear, but where does Bush get his information to arrive at the different conslusions? Why did a "senior administration official who accompanied Bush on his six-nation trip" see fit to leak this bit of information? Does this official think that it's odd that Bush forms conclusions that differ from his own intelligence agencies? I know I do.
Bush sought to address the Iranian people directly, saying: "You have a right to live under a government that listens to your wishes, respects your talents and allows you to build better lives for your families. Unfortunately, your government denies you these opportunities and threatens the peace and stability of your neighbors. So we call on the regime in Tehran to heed your will and to make itself accountable to you."
Change a few names and the president could have been addressing us here in the US, his own people. He does not listen to our wishes. He is at 34% approval rating. He does not respect us. He spies on us, and he is not allowing us to build better lives for our families. He denies opportunity to many, while helping to make the rich richer. His own policies and actions are the biggest threats to our peace and security. His maladministration operates in secrecy and does not make itself accountable to us. How can he speak about these things? What hypocrisy! It makes my blood boil when he lectures the leaders of other countries about freedom, when he has taken away the freedoms of his own citizens and made such a gigantic mess of things here at home.
Recently, I heard of one person who is self-employed, who had to drop his health insurance, because he could no longer afford it. Just today, I heard of another couple whose employer pays half their premium, but they will have to pay $200 more a month for the same insurance coverage, because premiums have risen. They soon won't be able to afford to pay even with help from their employer. Is that taking care of your own people, Mr. Bush? Give me a break from your lectures to other leaders! You have no moral standing to lecture anyone.
Bush's comments on Iran were part of a speech devoted to advancing the cause of freedom and democracy in the Middle East. It was the latest in a steady volley of attacks on the country in the past week that began even before he left for Jerusalem last Tuesday.
Let's hope that the Iranian leadership won't take you as an example of how a leader advances freedom and democracy, Mr. Bush. We'll be well rid of your leadership when your term ends in a year. I'm only sorry that we have to wait that long, allowing you to do further damage, before you fade into the sunset.
Bush is trying to persuade Arab countries to join U.S. efforts to pressure Iran, though many appear ambivalent about the administration's campaign following a new U.S. intelligence report that concluded Iran stopped a nuclear weapons program in 2003
According to Newsweek:
In public, President Bush has been careful to reassure Israel and other allies that he still sees Iran as a threat, while not disavowing his administration's recent National Intelligence Estimate.
....
But in private conversations with Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert last week, the president all but disowned the document, said a senior administration official who accompanied Bush on his six-nation trip to the Mideast.
Bush's conclusions differ from those of his own intelligence agencies. On what evidence does he base his own differing conclusions? I'm sure that the views that he voiced are very much in line with what Olmert wants to hear, but where does Bush get his information to arrive at the different conslusions? Why did a "senior administration official who accompanied Bush on his six-nation trip" see fit to leak this bit of information? Does this official think that it's odd that Bush forms conclusions that differ from his own intelligence agencies? I know I do.
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