Promoted from the comments:
Blogger KJ said...
I had so much fun at church today, with all the critters, animal and human, that it must have been sinful. St. Mark's in Seattle is a big, ugly, "Holy Box", on the central portion of the nave that was to be a gothic cathedral, so ugly that it's beautiful in its own way. Throw a bunch of animals, including a chatty lovebird, in the reverberant expanse, add a fabulous pipe organ, and stir. What a great sound! A friend of mine who is blind, giggled through most of the service.
Serving as an acolyte, I got to see most of the animals in attendance, and the critters joined the procession out.
Sadly, I could not take The Wiener for the festival, as he would have wanted to bite the arse of every other dog. So, I had to satisfy myself with greeting all the other dogs I possibly could (Sharing the peace has never been as much fun. I think the Mad One would become downright huggy in such a setting.). My favorite moment was while kneeling down to greet a gorgeous Golden Retriever, she felt that it was necessary that that our foreheads touch; the Golden that owned me when I was in high school would do the same thing. I think she was blessing me!
Thanks, KJ. If you had supplied a picture, it would be perfect. However, because of your excellent descriptive writing skills, I can almost see it.
Sunday, October 5, 2008
Physical Therapy And Gyms
Last week I visited the physical therapist twice for help with my knees and my foot. I was very much looking forward to the foot massages. In the first visit, the therapist gave me simple exercises to do 30 times before I stood up or got out of bed, if I had been in position for 15 minutes. Of course, I did not remember to do them most times that I stood up, but I tried. He also gave me local anti-inflammatory medication by ionization. In with positive ions, drawn through my foot with negative ions. Sounds like sci fi fantasy to me. My foot rejected the medication or the ions, and the machine turned itself off about every 2 minutes, so the therapist's helpers were kept busy trotting back into my room at the sound of the beeps to turn it on until the 10 minute procedure finished. No foot massage that day.
The next day, I had the medication ionization again, and my foot still rejected it and caused the machine to turn off about every two minutes. After that, I did have the foot massage, but it was not quite what I expected, just a small vibrator rolling over my heel and arch, but not my whole foot, and no caressing hands all over my feet. Dr. Prophet told me that the therapist loved feet, and I was expecting a bit more, you know.
Then, he put me to work in the gym area, riding the stationary bike, which I did when I was going to the gym. Then on to the chair that looks somewhat like an electric chair to do push up and pull back with my ankles on the padded bars. Then on to the slanted rack to do push out straight and relax with bent knees. All in all a good, but not killing, workout.
I coulda, shoulda, but wasn't doing any of the knee-strengthening exercises, except the bike, back when I was going to the gym, before Chesty (her real name) threw me out. Looking back, I could have done much more for myself if I'd had the will and foreseen the future.
Do you wonder why I got thrown out of the gym? First of all, I didn't like going there. All the TV screens were tuned to awful shows, and even if I had my headphones, the damn screens were there. And then, there were a couple of preening men, very much in love with themselves and deluded by the notion that all the ladies were as in love with their buff bods as they were. They showed off as though they were performing on stage.
A little clique of the female contingent of the "beautiful people" of Thibodaux, aspiring to be the high society of our little city, were there regularly. I'd met them and been with them at parties, and they were friendly enough, but when I'd see them at the gym, they did not even greet me, not even a "Hello". Look, if you're going to shun me, at least be consistent in your shunning. That sort of on-off behavior throws me way off balance. OK, that's why I didn't like going there.
After I'd been going to the gym for a couple of years, when I went to pay for my next three months, Chesty handed me a sheet to sign promising not to sue them in the event of an accident, even if the accident was due to their faulty equipment. I have never sued anyone in my life, but that seemed to be going too far. I suspected that the paper was worthless in the event of an accident due to faulty equipment, if it could be demonstrated that they were negligent in maintaining the equipment, but, nevertheless, I decided that I was not going to sign it.
I took the sheet home and asked around, only to find that not everyone had been asked to sign the paper. Next time I went, I handed the paper back to Chesty and said that I would not sign. I told her that not everyone had been given the paper. She said, "Oh yes they have, and you won't be able to come back without signing the sheet." I asked her if she was discriminating due to my age, because that would be wrong, and she said, "Oh no!"
Anyway that was the end of the gym. I didn't fight Chesty, because I was sick of the place anyway. I tried another one for a while, an all woman gym, where, at least, I would not have to watch the preening men, but I came to the conclusion that I just don't like gyms.
My foot and knee feel much better already. I will have six weeks of therapy three days a week. What I'll do to after that to keep what I will gain, I have no idea.
The next day, I had the medication ionization again, and my foot still rejected it and caused the machine to turn off about every two minutes. After that, I did have the foot massage, but it was not quite what I expected, just a small vibrator rolling over my heel and arch, but not my whole foot, and no caressing hands all over my feet. Dr. Prophet told me that the therapist loved feet, and I was expecting a bit more, you know.
Then, he put me to work in the gym area, riding the stationary bike, which I did when I was going to the gym. Then on to the chair that looks somewhat like an electric chair to do push up and pull back with my ankles on the padded bars. Then on to the slanted rack to do push out straight and relax with bent knees. All in all a good, but not killing, workout.
I coulda, shoulda, but wasn't doing any of the knee-strengthening exercises, except the bike, back when I was going to the gym, before Chesty (her real name) threw me out. Looking back, I could have done much more for myself if I'd had the will and foreseen the future.
Do you wonder why I got thrown out of the gym? First of all, I didn't like going there. All the TV screens were tuned to awful shows, and even if I had my headphones, the damn screens were there. And then, there were a couple of preening men, very much in love with themselves and deluded by the notion that all the ladies were as in love with their buff bods as they were. They showed off as though they were performing on stage.
A little clique of the female contingent of the "beautiful people" of Thibodaux, aspiring to be the high society of our little city, were there regularly. I'd met them and been with them at parties, and they were friendly enough, but when I'd see them at the gym, they did not even greet me, not even a "Hello". Look, if you're going to shun me, at least be consistent in your shunning. That sort of on-off behavior throws me way off balance. OK, that's why I didn't like going there.
After I'd been going to the gym for a couple of years, when I went to pay for my next three months, Chesty handed me a sheet to sign promising not to sue them in the event of an accident, even if the accident was due to their faulty equipment. I have never sued anyone in my life, but that seemed to be going too far. I suspected that the paper was worthless in the event of an accident due to faulty equipment, if it could be demonstrated that they were negligent in maintaining the equipment, but, nevertheless, I decided that I was not going to sign it.
I took the sheet home and asked around, only to find that not everyone had been asked to sign the paper. Next time I went, I handed the paper back to Chesty and said that I would not sign. I told her that not everyone had been given the paper. She said, "Oh yes they have, and you won't be able to come back without signing the sheet." I asked her if she was discriminating due to my age, because that would be wrong, and she said, "Oh no!"
Anyway that was the end of the gym. I didn't fight Chesty, because I was sick of the place anyway. I tried another one for a while, an all woman gym, where, at least, I would not have to watch the preening men, but I came to the conclusion that I just don't like gyms.
My foot and knee feel much better already. I will have six weeks of therapy three days a week. What I'll do to after that to keep what I will gain, I have no idea.
Saturday, October 4, 2008
"Hey, I think she just winked at me."
I'm sure I'm not the only male in America who, when Palin dropped her first wink, sat up a little straighter on the couch and said, "Hey, I think she just winked at me." And her smile. By the end, when she clearly knew she was doing well, it was so sparkling it was almost mesmerizing. It sent little starbursts through the screen and ricocheting around the living rooms of America. This is a quality that can't be learned; it's either something you have or you don't, and man, she's got it.
Rich Lowry at TNR.
Had I written this, I would not sign my name to it. In fact, I'd probably write it in my diary with the lock on it. In reference to it, Keith Olbermann used the m-word right there on the evening news.
Whatever it is that she has, I don't want it. And now this is my last post on the debate - I think.
UPDATE: There it is. The wink that "sent little starbursts through the screen and ricocheting around the living rooms of America".
UPDATE 2: Oyster's naughty question for Rich Lowry:
[Ummm... "sent little starbursts through the screen"? Did you "return fire", there, Richie?]
Thankee for the linkee, big guy.
Before And After
BEFORE GUSTAV
AFTER GUSTAV
The branches on the side away from the house of our beautiful Pink Snow crepe myrtle tree broke off during the hurricane, so Grandpère had to trim the whole tree. It will bloom again, but it won't look the same in our lifetimes.
Sic transit gloria mundi.
AFTER GUSTAV
The branches on the side away from the house of our beautiful Pink Snow crepe myrtle tree broke off during the hurricane, so Grandpère had to trim the whole tree. It will bloom again, but it won't look the same in our lifetimes.
Sic transit gloria mundi.
A Good Laugh From The Diocese Of Pittsburgh
"Vote for it" is the title of the video.
It seems that I am now on BabyBlue's YouTube email subscription list. How that came to be, I don't know.
The diocesan convention of the Episcopal Diocese of Pittsburgh is meeting this weekend. They will decide whether to leave the Episcopal Church and join the Diocese of the Southern Cone. Pray for the Episcopal Diocese of Pittsburgh. The Lead at the Episcopal Café will update as they get information.
Regarding the video: I am not laughing. Why are they laughing?
UPDATE: According to The Lead, the convention voted to leave the Episcopal Church.
Feast Day Of St. Francis Of Assisi
St. Francis and Diana
Let me tell you of a youth whose aristocratic father disowned him because of his love for a beautiful lady. She had been married before, to Christ, and was so faithful a spouse to Him that, while Mary only stood at the foot of the Cross, she leaped up to be with Him on the Cross. These two of whom I speak are Francis and the Lady Poverty. As they walked along together, the sight of their mutual love drew men's hearts after them. Bernard saw them and ran after them, kicking off his shoes to run faster to so great a peace. Giles and Sylvester saw them, kicked off their shoes and ran to join them....
Spoken by Thomas Aquinas of Francis in Dante's Paradiso.
READINGS:
Psalm 148:7-14 or 121
Galatians 6:14-18
Matthew 11:25-30
PRAYER
Most high, omnipotent, good Lord, grant your people grace gladly to renounce the vanities of this world; that, following the way of blessed Francis, we may for love of you delight in your whole creation with perfect joy; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever
Saint Francis’ Canticle of All Creatures
Most High, all-powerful, all-good Lord,
All praise is Yours, all glory, all honour and all blessings.
To you alone, Most High, do they belong,
and no mortal lips are worthy to pronounce Your Name.
Praised be You my Lord with all Your creatures,
especially Sir Brother Sun,
Who is the day through whom You give us light.
And he is beautiful and radiant with great splendour,
Of You Most High, he bears the likeness.
Praised be You, my Lord, through Sister Moon and the stars,
In the heavens you have made them bright, precious and fair.
Praised be You, my Lord, through Brothers Wind and Air,
And fair and stormy, all weather’s moods,
by which You cherish all that You have made.
Praised be You my Lord through Sister Water,
So useful, humble, precious and pure.
Praised be You my Lord through Brother Fire,
through whom You light the night
and he is beautiful and playful and robust and strong.
Praised be You my Lord through our Sister,
Mother Earth who sustains and governs us,
producing varied fruits with coloured flowers and herbs.
Praise be You my Lord through those who grant pardon
for love of You and bear sickness and trial.
Blessed are those who endure in peace,
By You Most High, they will be crowned.
Praised be You, my Lord through Sister Death,
from whom no-one living can escape.
Woe to those who die in mortal sin!
Blessed are they She finds doing Your Will.
No second death can do them harm.
Praise and bless my Lord and give Him thanks,
And serve Him with great humility.
Heavenly Father,
You gave Your servant Francis
great love for each of Your creatures.
Teach us to see Your design in all of creation.
We ask this in Jesus’ Name. Amen.
Dedicated to the guardians of Grendel, a fine dog, who recently joined Our Lord in his perfect kingdom.
Friday, October 3, 2008
Why I Fired My Secretary.
Last week was my birthday and I didn't feel very well waking up on that morning. I went downstairs for breakfast hoping my wife would be pleasant and say, 'Happy Birthday!' and possibly have a small present for me.
As it turned out, she barely said good morning, let alone 'Happy Birthday.'
I thought...
Well, that's marriage for you, but the kids...
They will remember.
My kids came bounding down stairs to breakfast and didn't say a word. So when I left for the office, I felt pretty low and somewhat despondent.
As I walked into my office, my secretary Jane said, 'Good Morning Boss, and by the way Happy Birthday!' It felt a little better that at least someone had remembered.
I worked until one o'clock, when Jane knocked on my door and said, 'You know, it's such a beautiful day outside, and it is your Birthday, what do you say we go out to lunch, just you and me.' I said, 'Thanks, Jane, that's the greatest thing I've heard all day. Let's go!'
We went to lunch. But we didn't go where we normally would go. She chose instead at a quiet bistro with a private table. We had two martinis each and I enjoyed the meal tremendously.
On the way back to the office, Jane said, 'You know it's such a beautiful day... We don't need to go straight back to the office, do we?'
I responded, 'I guess not. What do you have in mind?'
She said, 'Let's drop by my apartment, it's just around the corner.'
After arriving at her apartment, Jane turned to me and said, 'Boss, if you don't mind, I'm going to step into the bedroom for just a moment. I'll be right back.'
'Ok,' I nervously replied.
She went into the bedroom and, after a couple of minutes, she came out carrying a huge birthday cake ...
Followed by my wife, my kids, and dozens of my friends and co-workers, all singing 'Happy Birthday'.
And I just sat there...
On the couch...
Naked.
Doug did the deed. Blame him
As it turned out, she barely said good morning, let alone 'Happy Birthday.'
I thought...
Well, that's marriage for you, but the kids...
They will remember.
My kids came bounding down stairs to breakfast and didn't say a word. So when I left for the office, I felt pretty low and somewhat despondent.
As I walked into my office, my secretary Jane said, 'Good Morning Boss, and by the way Happy Birthday!' It felt a little better that at least someone had remembered.
I worked until one o'clock, when Jane knocked on my door and said, 'You know, it's such a beautiful day outside, and it is your Birthday, what do you say we go out to lunch, just you and me.' I said, 'Thanks, Jane, that's the greatest thing I've heard all day. Let's go!'
We went to lunch. But we didn't go where we normally would go. She chose instead at a quiet bistro with a private table. We had two martinis each and I enjoyed the meal tremendously.
On the way back to the office, Jane said, 'You know it's such a beautiful day... We don't need to go straight back to the office, do we?'
I responded, 'I guess not. What do you have in mind?'
She said, 'Let's drop by my apartment, it's just around the corner.'
After arriving at her apartment, Jane turned to me and said, 'Boss, if you don't mind, I'm going to step into the bedroom for just a moment. I'll be right back.'
'Ok,' I nervously replied.
She went into the bedroom and, after a couple of minutes, she came out carrying a huge birthday cake ...
Followed by my wife, my kids, and dozens of my friends and co-workers, all singing 'Happy Birthday'.
And I just sat there...
On the couch...
Naked.
Doug did the deed. Blame him
On The Non-Debate
From Juan Cole at Informed Comments:
Not only was there no debate but Sarah Palin was not required actually to answer any of the questions put to her, and she announced before she began that she was just going to throw up on us all the talking points that she had binged on in Arizona for the past few days.
She mugged for the camera, winked like a bar fly, and just went on talking and talking and talking, oblivious to whatever anyone else said. Not only did she ignore most of Gwen Ifill's questions,she paid no attention to what Joe Biden said. When he choked up over the loss of his family, she did not have the decency to express any kind of condolences. It is almost as though she is autistic and unable to connect with human beings.
....
Palin has revealed her real self in the Gibson and Couric interviews, and clearly knows nothing and offers only rubbery expressions and glib repetition, for all the world like a rasping myna bird, of a stream of memorized slogans that sound as though they were disinterred from a time capsule originally buried in William F. Buckley Jr.'s back yard several decades ago.
It was not a debate, and pretending that it was and judging "performance" is to fall into the trap set by the campaign spinmeisters and talking point pimps.
Leave it to Juan Cole; "throw up on us" about sums it up. Well, the "rasping myna bird" bit is good, too, except that it may be a tad unfair to myna birds. Oh, and I liked "talking point pimps", too.
I shall speak no further about "performance". I should say that I will speak no further at all, because Cole's writing puts mine to such shame.
Not only was there no debate but Sarah Palin was not required actually to answer any of the questions put to her, and she announced before she began that she was just going to throw up on us all the talking points that she had binged on in Arizona for the past few days.
She mugged for the camera, winked like a bar fly, and just went on talking and talking and talking, oblivious to whatever anyone else said. Not only did she ignore most of Gwen Ifill's questions,she paid no attention to what Joe Biden said. When he choked up over the loss of his family, she did not have the decency to express any kind of condolences. It is almost as though she is autistic and unable to connect with human beings.
....
Palin has revealed her real self in the Gibson and Couric interviews, and clearly knows nothing and offers only rubbery expressions and glib repetition, for all the world like a rasping myna bird, of a stream of memorized slogans that sound as though they were disinterred from a time capsule originally buried in William F. Buckley Jr.'s back yard several decades ago.
It was not a debate, and pretending that it was and judging "performance" is to fall into the trap set by the campaign spinmeisters and talking point pimps.
Leave it to Juan Cole; "throw up on us" about sums it up. Well, the "rasping myna bird" bit is good, too, except that it may be a tad unfair to myna birds. Oh, and I liked "talking point pimps", too.
I shall speak no further about "performance". I should say that I will speak no further at all, because Cole's writing puts mine to such shame.
"SARAH PALIN WAS SENSATIONAL"!
My take is Sarah Palin was sensational tonight. She not only met the expectations, I think she wiped up the floor with Joe Biden, quite frankly. She is personable, she is young, she’s got a sense of humor…I think that she has done a sensational job and I think she as recaptured that magic she had out there at the convention.
Pat Buchanan on MSNBC’s Countdown with Keith Olbermann.
Pat, um, I believe you forgot something when you left home. YOUR BRAIN!
Pat Buchanan on MSNBC’s Countdown with Keith Olbermann.
Pat, um, I believe you forgot something when you left home. YOUR BRAIN!
Biden Won Dammit!
Biden was very good, beyond my hopes. Palin was terrible. One of them is going to be vice-president of the United States. This not a beauty contest. If McCain/Palin win, Sarah Palin will be one heartbeat away from the presidency of a 72 year old man who has many health problems in his past. She is so far out of her depth, that it is pathetic to put her out there as a serious candidate. She makes Dan Quayle look like a genius.
What's with the maverick, maverick, maverick? Why is it a big deal that she and McCain are mavericks? Is the maverick meme the equivalent of "Bush is a guy I'd like to have a beer with"? God help us, then. Mavericks, Joe Six-pack? Yes. Let's search out the least common denominator between the two teams, give them a six-pack, and crown them. Good, good, good for the country. Good for the world.
We'll have two more opportunities to see if John McCain can reign in his fury at having submit to debating a junior senator.
Will Palin do more interviews with the mainstream media, or will she continue to be muzzled? How did we get to this place?
What's with the maverick, maverick, maverick? Why is it a big deal that she and McCain are mavericks? Is the maverick meme the equivalent of "Bush is a guy I'd like to have a beer with"? God help us, then. Mavericks, Joe Six-pack? Yes. Let's search out the least common denominator between the two teams, give them a six-pack, and crown them. Good, good, good for the country. Good for the world.
We'll have two more opportunities to see if John McCain can reign in his fury at having submit to debating a junior senator.
Will Palin do more interviews with the mainstream media, or will she continue to be muzzled? How did we get to this place?
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