Thursday, February 23, 2012
Happy 50th Podcast
On the side of this post, you will see a widget from Podbean.com that has my sermon podcasts. Last night, I posted my 50th podcast. The first and the most recent are both from Ash Wednesday. All in all, it's an easy date to remember the liturgical anniversary. God bless and check out all my podcasts at this link.
Tuesday, February 14, 2012
Love Today and Love Tomorrow
Just a few minutes ago I was leaving Walmart. Marie needed feminine hygiene products and pure corn starch baby powder, preferably lavender scented. I went in at the Garden Center entrance because the stuff was closest to that entrance and it usually has a very short line. So I got the stuff and headed to checkout.
A moment later, a man got in line behind me. He couldn't have been older than 24 or so. He had a single stem rose, Hallmark card, and two bean bag style stuffed animals. I looked at the scene and started laughing. And in the Garden Center my laugh roars. I looked at him and smiled.
Finally I looked at him, nodding toward his purchases and said, "Valentines Day today," and holding up my purchases, "Valentines Day in fifteen years." We enjoyed the laugh... until he wondered if it would happen to him and I told him not to worry, it will.
On a side note, I got Marie a lovely card, one of the best I've ever seen, and two compact discs she has wanted for months. I gave them to her this morning. On top of that, when she says "pads and baby powder" she trusts I'll get the right stuff, now that's love.
And yes, I did get the right pads and baby powder. Happy Valentines to all you lovers out there--whether it's been a short time, 15 years, or 115 years. God bless and enjoy the love of your life.
A moment later, a man got in line behind me. He couldn't have been older than 24 or so. He had a single stem rose, Hallmark card, and two bean bag style stuffed animals. I looked at the scene and started laughing. And in the Garden Center my laugh roars. I looked at him and smiled.
Finally I looked at him, nodding toward his purchases and said, "Valentines Day today," and holding up my purchases, "Valentines Day in fifteen years." We enjoyed the laugh... until he wondered if it would happen to him and I told him not to worry, it will.
On a side note, I got Marie a lovely card, one of the best I've ever seen, and two compact discs she has wanted for months. I gave them to her this morning. On top of that, when she says "pads and baby powder" she trusts I'll get the right stuff, now that's love.
And yes, I did get the right pads and baby powder. Happy Valentines to all you lovers out there--whether it's been a short time, 15 years, or 115 years. God bless and enjoy the love of your life.
Wednesday, February 8, 2012
Standing Up for a Super Model
Yeah, I'm defending a super model. You've seen this somewhere either on the tube or online, I'm sure. Here's the take from TMZ...
Well, let me make a couple of points.
So in honor of Gisele standing by her Tommy, I give you The Blues Brothers. Enjoy.
- It was a private moment in a public space.
- Yes, she was being goaded.
- She didn't "know" she was being recorded.
- Yeah, she should have known better thank to think she wasn't being recorded but...
- Frankly, she wasn't completely wrong.
So in honor of Gisele standing by her Tommy, I give you The Blues Brothers. Enjoy.
Monday, February 6, 2012
My Super Bowl XLVI Halftime Show Review
First, congratulations to the New York Giants for their Super Bowl victory. Congrats too to Eli Manning as MVP. While he deserved the acclaim and the award, I want to throw some love to Giants Defensive End Justin Tuck. Tuck had three tackles, two sacks, and forced the Safety on the first Pat's offensive play of the game. Justin Tuck did much to set the tone of the game and deserves props. Now for the Halftime Show Review...
Two words: Hated it. Again, let's give props--it was a spectacle. If you were looking for a spectacle this was for you. As for me, I prefer when performers perform, give me Roger Daltry (whose performance I reviewed here) crackly voice and all over spit and polish.
If you want Cirque de Madonna, then just have the dancers to Madonna music. Having Madge there "performing but not singing" was just redundant.
One more note, an informal poll of my facebook friends loved the Halftime Show. As for my friends who are professional musicians, they hated it. As far as I'm concerned, that split says it all.
Two words: Hated it. Again, let's give props--it was a spectacle. If you were looking for a spectacle this was for you. As for me, I prefer when performers perform, give me Roger Daltry (whose performance I reviewed here) crackly voice and all over spit and polish.
If you want Cirque de Madonna, then just have the dancers to Madonna music. Having Madge there "performing but not singing" was just redundant.
One more note, an informal poll of my facebook friends loved the Halftime Show. As for my friends who are professional musicians, they hated it. As far as I'm concerned, that split says it all.
Tuesday, January 31, 2012
Another Bar Story, This One with Extra Grace!
One of the truest reasons men work in bars is to meet women. That may seem shallow and it may seem short-sighted, but that's what makes it true!
One night when I was managing Buzzard Beach in Westport, Kansas City, Missouri, USA, one of my doormen came up to me after the bar closed. I was sitting on the back bar with my legs crossed much like a modern day Buddha. He started to apologize. He was sincere but he was also waiting judgement so he might have been a little on edge.
You see, he had begun seeing a waitress from a bar and restaurant across the street so after her shift ended, she would come over and see Scott. She was a cutie too, curly blonde hair, great legs and a so-on that was before its time.
Something you probably don't know but need to for this story is that Buzzard Beach was a saloon, a tavern-we had beer, cocktails, and popcorn. To work in a tavern you had to be 21. Well, she worked in a restaurant that served drinks. You only had to be 18 to work there. Thus my doorman's dilemma, he met her at our bar, but it wasn't until after a couple of weeks that he discovers she isn't 21.
Let me add that minors in a tavern could get you closed and the person who serves a minor could loose their liquor card-a license that allows a bartender to dispense. So you see, as Ricky Ricardo would say, he "had some 'splaining to do."
He walked up and said, "I'm sorry. I didn't know she wasn't 21. As soon as I found out I took care of it. She won't be back until she is 21. This won't happen again."
Well, let's just say that I took the high road on this one. I said, "First, I accept your apology. Second, you did find out she wasn't 21, and that's big. Third, as soon as you did find out you fixed it. Fourth, I believe you, this won't happen again. Fifth" and at this point I addressed the assembled staff; the three bartenders, three doormen, and bar back who were also working and asked, "fifth, guys, how many of us met a girl here at the Buzzard and didn't discover until later that she wasn't 21?" Everyone of us raised his hand. The guys who had been there ten years, the owner's brother, and even me, everyone of us raised our hands.
I ended my lesson for the day saying, "Finally, you're in good company." Grace over hypocrisy is a winner every time, and we always carded his paramours in the future.
One night when I was managing Buzzard Beach in Westport, Kansas City, Missouri, USA, one of my doormen came up to me after the bar closed. I was sitting on the back bar with my legs crossed much like a modern day Buddha. He started to apologize. He was sincere but he was also waiting judgement so he might have been a little on edge.
You see, he had begun seeing a waitress from a bar and restaurant across the street so after her shift ended, she would come over and see Scott. She was a cutie too, curly blonde hair, great legs and a so-on that was before its time.
Something you probably don't know but need to for this story is that Buzzard Beach was a saloon, a tavern-we had beer, cocktails, and popcorn. To work in a tavern you had to be 21. Well, she worked in a restaurant that served drinks. You only had to be 18 to work there. Thus my doorman's dilemma, he met her at our bar, but it wasn't until after a couple of weeks that he discovers she isn't 21.
Let me add that minors in a tavern could get you closed and the person who serves a minor could loose their liquor card-a license that allows a bartender to dispense. So you see, as Ricky Ricardo would say, he "had some 'splaining to do."
He walked up and said, "I'm sorry. I didn't know she wasn't 21. As soon as I found out I took care of it. She won't be back until she is 21. This won't happen again."
Well, let's just say that I took the high road on this one. I said, "First, I accept your apology. Second, you did find out she wasn't 21, and that's big. Third, as soon as you did find out you fixed it. Fourth, I believe you, this won't happen again. Fifth" and at this point I addressed the assembled staff; the three bartenders, three doormen, and bar back who were also working and asked, "fifth, guys, how many of us met a girl here at the Buzzard and didn't discover until later that she wasn't 21?" Everyone of us raised his hand. The guys who had been there ten years, the owner's brother, and even me, everyone of us raised our hands.
I ended my lesson for the day saying, "Finally, you're in good company." Grace over hypocrisy is a winner every time, and we always carded his paramours in the future.
Wednesday, January 25, 2012
Bored by Politicos
Last night was the State of the Union with the Republican Response.
Last week, the Fellowship of Presbyterians created the Evangelical Covenant Order of Presbyterians. (This is either their third or forth name in a year.)
I have officially decided that I don't want to be bothered with most of these clowns.
As for the State of the Union , let me guess what was said... We're a strong nation. There are ways we can be better. I got some ideas, but all I will say right now are broad brushstrokes that will be parsed for weeks. By the way, those jokers are getting in the way for me to do real work.
As for the Republican Response: We're a strong nation. There are ways we can be better. We got some ideas, but all we'll say right now are broad brushstrokes that will be parsed for weeks. By the way, those jokers are getting in the way for us to do real work.
In the Presbyterian Church, it's thinly veiled like this--Those guys aren't biblical! I'm not going to be divisive, but their take on gays is all wrong so we're out of here as long as we can find a way to get out of here with millions in real estate and our pensions.
The other side's take is thinly veiled as--don't let the door which you're leaving with us hit you in the ass on the way out.
Yes, I have made a fatal error in all four of these general statements: Extremes make good sound bytes but actually represent very few people. They're great for headlines and bylines. They're great for getting my name out there, but on the whole they're useless.
That's where I am right now. In the nation we call it politics and in the church we call it polity. Both words come from the Greek word "polis" which means "city." (As in "The Super Bowl will be played in Indiana Polis soon.) In general today the today deals with how the city (or other jurisdiction) operates. Frankly I can live without the garbage the "polis" thinks is important.
It's quit being about people and is more about power more than ever and that has completely bored me to tears. If you agree, sign up for my new "Cry Me a River" party.
Last week, the Fellowship of Presbyterians created the Evangelical Covenant Order of Presbyterians. (This is either their third or forth name in a year.)
I have officially decided that I don't want to be bothered with most of these clowns.
As for the State of the Union , let me guess what was said... We're a strong nation. There are ways we can be better. I got some ideas, but all I will say right now are broad brushstrokes that will be parsed for weeks. By the way, those jokers are getting in the way for me to do real work.
As for the Republican Response: We're a strong nation. There are ways we can be better. We got some ideas, but all we'll say right now are broad brushstrokes that will be parsed for weeks. By the way, those jokers are getting in the way for us to do real work.
In the Presbyterian Church, it's thinly veiled like this--Those guys aren't biblical! I'm not going to be divisive, but their take on gays is all wrong so we're out of here as long as we can find a way to get out of here with millions in real estate and our pensions.
The other side's take is thinly veiled as--don't let the door which you're leaving with us hit you in the ass on the way out.
Yes, I have made a fatal error in all four of these general statements: Extremes make good sound bytes but actually represent very few people. They're great for headlines and bylines. They're great for getting my name out there, but on the whole they're useless.
That's where I am right now. In the nation we call it politics and in the church we call it polity. Both words come from the Greek word "polis" which means "city." (As in "The Super Bowl will be played in Indiana Polis soon.) In general today the today deals with how the city (or other jurisdiction) operates. Frankly I can live without the garbage the "polis" thinks is important.
It's quit being about people and is more about power more than ever and that has completely bored me to tears. If you agree, sign up for my new "Cry Me a River" party.
Sunday, January 22, 2012
Adios, Joe Pa
It has been reported that former Penn State head football coach Joe Paterno has died from complications due to lung cancer. God bless Joe Pa.
Joe Pa did many wonderful things. He was the King of State College, Pennsylvania. He led the Penn State Nittany Lions football team to many wins and championships. He funded significant advances not to the athletic department that paid him so well but to the Penn State libraries which support all academic endeavors. Joe Pa's world was Penn State and ultimately this was his undoing.
He was undone by age and status. It's hard to tell an icon that a trusted aide is forcing himself sexually on underage boys. It's even harder to say it in a way that makes everything clear to someone old enough to be you great-grandfather while trying to parse words so no one feels uncomfortable. If you think it's easy, say "your trusted aid rapes children" to your grandmother. This is how he was undone.
Ultimately, Penn State decided that while Joe Pa fulfilled his legal requirements to report what happened, he was morally obligated to do more. In a society that tries to follow laws only to the letter and not the spirit--and moral obligations seem to matter less--Joe Pa's vilification is a shame. Maybe this is why no man should be an icon.
We do need to do a better job of protecting those who are in danger, but we need to do a better job of defining "those who need protection" too. Children are obvious. But when we forget the poor and the elderly many get lost in a dream that values the rugged individualism of boot-straps over community efforts to truly lift every boat in the bay.
Yes, Joe Pa did what he was supposed to do. No, he did not do enough--but he trusted that those who he told would do what they were supposed to do. That is why several of those folks are under criminal indictment.
But before anyone says what Paterno did was bad or evil, remember that none of us are truly good enough to cast the first stone, especially at someone whose position, God willing, we will never share.
Adios, Go with God Joe Pa.
Joe Pa did many wonderful things. He was the King of State College, Pennsylvania. He led the Penn State Nittany Lions football team to many wins and championships. He funded significant advances not to the athletic department that paid him so well but to the Penn State libraries which support all academic endeavors. Joe Pa's world was Penn State and ultimately this was his undoing.
He was undone by age and status. It's hard to tell an icon that a trusted aide is forcing himself sexually on underage boys. It's even harder to say it in a way that makes everything clear to someone old enough to be you great-grandfather while trying to parse words so no one feels uncomfortable. If you think it's easy, say "your trusted aid rapes children" to your grandmother. This is how he was undone.
Ultimately, Penn State decided that while Joe Pa fulfilled his legal requirements to report what happened, he was morally obligated to do more. In a society that tries to follow laws only to the letter and not the spirit--and moral obligations seem to matter less--Joe Pa's vilification is a shame. Maybe this is why no man should be an icon.
We do need to do a better job of protecting those who are in danger, but we need to do a better job of defining "those who need protection" too. Children are obvious. But when we forget the poor and the elderly many get lost in a dream that values the rugged individualism of boot-straps over community efforts to truly lift every boat in the bay.
Yes, Joe Pa did what he was supposed to do. No, he did not do enough--but he trusted that those who he told would do what they were supposed to do. That is why several of those folks are under criminal indictment.
But before anyone says what Paterno did was bad or evil, remember that none of us are truly good enough to cast the first stone, especially at someone whose position, God willing, we will never share.
Adios, Go with God Joe Pa.
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