Lists

Do you like lists?  On the aforementioned sportstalk radio, they sometimes mention that doing a "list show" is a lazy show, but you know what?  It's often very entertaining.  So, turning on the ever-charged stream of consciousness, I'm going to compose the first lists that come to mind.  Feel free to comment or join me.

Top Vacations (that I've been on) - not based on the place but purely on the fun factor
1.  Disney
2.  Amelia Island
3.  New York
4.  Vegas
5.  Skiing in Beaver Creek

It Ain't Braggin' if You Can Back It Up

Actually, this is flat-out bragging.  Coming off the heels of his Math Olympics victory last month, Tucker took the 3rd grade award today in the 'Oratory Recital'.  Basically, they have to memorize a poem and recite it in front of their classmates.  I'm proud he won the 3rd grade but I may be even more proud of this email we got from a parent of the kid who won the School-wide event.  (Quick setup:  Some of the kids go all out with a costume that somehow fits the poem)

Congrats on Tucker's win!  And he was the only one in uniform out of all the winners:-)  That's big.  It was our first year dressing the part.  Miles was in a suit or dress clothes in the classroom for all the other years (and the one year he made it to the school competition).  I went to congratulate Tucker and he said, "No, congratulations to you for Miles.  He did great."  I thought that was very sweet and so sincere.  Hate to see ya'll go.  You're a beautiful family...and he's a popular kid:-)  Those girls love him!

It's 4/20 Y'all!

And if you don't know what that is, I was right there with you until last year.  I learned that 4:20 is understood to be the time for pot smokers to light one up.  That same thought is now applied to April 20th, a day that some set aside for special 'observance'. 

I don't claim to know anything material about this topic but I did read some interesting things from the Office of National Drug Control Policy ...

- The average potency of marijuana has more than doubled since 1998
Are you kidding me?  How is that possible?  I mean, how is that scientifically possible?

- The use of marijuana can produce adverse physical, mental, emotional, and behavioral effects.
Uh.  Hm.  Moving on.

- According to a 2004 Bureau of Justice Statistics survey of state and federal prisoners, approximately 12.7% of state prisoners and 12.4% of federal prisoners were serving time for a marijuana-related offense.
This is absurd.  I'm not saying we should legalize the stuff but with all the stories of violent offenders being let back out in the street because of over-crowding, we're filling the cells with "dudes"?

So I don't know why I thought of this but I suddenly imagined a Charlie Brown Special for April 20th.  Can't you see the kids at the end all yelling, "IT'S 4/20 CHARLIE BROWN!!!"?  Actually, I think that probably has something to do with the whole Great Pumpkin story!

Dr. T, Parenting expert - Part 3

OK.  So you're asking, "Dr. T, what is the big deal?  Sometimes the little bugger is persistent and in a moment of weakness, I give in."

Well, you're making life tougher on yourself.  Because while kids will always try to get their way to an extent, the more of an opening you leave there, the harder it will be to stay firm.

When Little JR is six, you'll try to put your foot down.  And he'll start crying.  And he's older now, and smarter.  And he has some weapons at his disposal and if he picks the right one, (he's learned) he will eventually win out.

Dr. T, Parenting expert - Part 2

What is the biggest mistake parents are making?  Remember, I'm only talking about 10 and under here but I think there's a wide application.  It is something so fundamentally EASY to see in others and yet even the best folks are out there messing it up at times.  Based PURELY on observation, fixing this issue (which is a lot harder to do than starting off right) will make everyone's life easier.

Picture a mountaintop.  /\  Imagine a pebble falling straight down on top of the mountain.  One inch to the left - one millimeter to the left, will mean that that pebble will end up at the bottom of the hill on the left.  One inch to the right and the pebble will end up at the bottom on the right.  That is the metaphor I think of when I think of this particular issue because the difference between right and wrong can be microscopic but the results are FAR, FAR apart.  Indeed this is why it is so surprising when parents who are so very similar in their approach but they differ on small things, end up with far different patterns of behavior.

Letter from Steve Brown

Here is the letter I received from Steve Brown.  The ENTIRE letter.

If you can help us financially, this would be a good time...I mean, a really good time.

If you can't.  Pray.

And, if for no other reason than the fact that this is the shortest fund raising letter you've ever received, your gift should be generous and will be appreciated big.

Not only is the guy really funny, but the thing I like most about him is his authenticity.  Most Christians understand on some level that all the people they see aren't nearly as perfect as they seem.  Most Christians realize that everyone has really tough stuff in their lives.  But Steve says it.  He calls you out.  He knows you're messed up because he's messed up but he understands people on such a profound level, it is refreshing to hear such bald honesty.

Check him out.  http://www.keylife.org/

Fun With Google Instant

Here's a fun little exercise.  But first you have to go to google and make sure instant search is turned on.  Think of it like someone is finishing your thoughts for you.  For example, I typed:

americans are

The different sites that google is guessing I want to see (based on relevance and poplularity, I suppose) were as follows:

Americans say mideast democratic reform good for US
Americans are not stupid
The 400 Richest Americans Are Now Richer Than the Bottom 50 Percent Combined
Why Americans are Fat
Americans are the most attractive people in the world, poll finds
Most Americans are Moderates (btw this is absolutely true)
Why Americans are more religious than Europeans

Dr. T, Parenting expert - Part 1

Save your breath because I know what you're thinking.  How can someone with a 9 year old and a 7 year old know much about parenting?  Well, I really don't, but I do have some strong opinions.  And I'm sure once I have teenagers, the wheels will come off.  But, there are a couple things I have a knack for and I seem to understand at a fundamental level.  I admit, I may come back one day and we can all laugh at how wrong I was.  But, I actually spend a good deal of time thinking about it, especially when I see some of these parents and their tragic mistakes.  Isn't it always easier to see the mistakes of others?

Nevertheless, I am a very intuitive thinker and when I have a strongly intuitive thought, I go with it.  It usually serves me very well.  Just so you know the real me, I can discuss such topics with you if you like but in the interest of full disclosure, you should know that I am firmly convinced that I am right and that time will ultimately prove it to everyone's satisfaction!  :)

Favorite Holes at Augusta

Alas, I have never played the course.  I only know a handful of people who have.  But I've been several times and every April, stay glued to the TV.  The back 9, with its risk/reward par 5s and par 3s that can turn an aggresive attempt at 2 into a 4 or worse, is the most exciting theatre in golf.  I recently read that Bobby Jones held to the philosophy that every par 5 should be reachable by the very best players.  That is evident at Augusta as I believe it is the par 5s that really separate this course from most all other courses.  A player can find himself (think Nicklaus in 86) 3 or 4 back from his playing partner and after playing 13-17, make up 5-6 strokes!  (Yesterday's winner finished with 4 straight birdies)

Anyone who has ever had the pleasure of walking these hallowed grounds gets a sense of the legendary architecture and is sure to find some holes that earn a soft spot in your heart.  So, here is a list of my favorites, hoping to one day report on the favorites to play!

Masters Predictions

Warm weather is predicted for the tournament this week but I'm guessing the players will be more concerned with what the wind decides to do.  As in most years, I think Saturday will set the players up to contend.  Go low early and hope your knees don't buckle on Sunday.  Possible rain on Saturday could slow things down and to me, I'm thinking scores will be low.  My prediction?  To get the green jacket this year will require lots of birdies.  11 under wins it.

In short, 3-time Champ Phil Mickelson has the upper hand.  It is simply not necessary to keep the ball in the fairway at Augusta, favoring the long hitters.  He is on record in saying he plans to get after it with the driver, keeping two in his bag for the tournament and nothing more than a 4 iron.  It is Phil's tournament to win as long as the putter holds up.

TC and Sport

Ah, friends!  Heather and I had dinner last night with two of our closest dearest friends.  No, really.  This is exactly how I mean to describe them.  Close and dear.  How do I explain ...

- Do you have any friends that when you see them, you simply can't get words out fast enough?  You want to know what's happening in their lives so badly because you MUST be a part of the very latest?  And they simply MUST know right away every important detail in your life?


- Do you have any friends that when you walk in their house, you feel like it is an extension of your own home?  They welcome you ... quite ... like family.  They listen about your children ... quite ... like those children are their children?  You want to know every particular detail

Something We Can All Agree On (I think)

I think we can all agree on the beauty and significance of the word, GRACE.  As I mentioned earlier, I like finding common ground and I particularly like it when we have something for Christians and non-Christians that unites rather than divides.  Perhaps when Christians see that this concept is far-reaching and can mean something beyond the meaning found in a Biblical / Christian context, communication is improved and relationships are broadened.  Likewise, a non-Christian who connects the dots somewhat, (without necessarily 'buying in') can see a concept stripped of its political / theological context and appreciate the Christian ideal, if taking issue with the application.

Let grace marinate for a moment.  Let it bounce around up there in your brain.  What does it connote for you?  I know I am part of the Christian sub-culture and certainly call myself a Christ-follower,

Not Sure What Made Me Think of This

but I laughed to myself and decided to post it!