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
Friday, April 29, 2011
Monday, April 25, 2011
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!
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!
Wednesday, April 20, 2011
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!
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!
Tuesday, April 19, 2011
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.
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.
Wednesday, April 13, 2011
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.
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.
Tuesday, April 12, 2011
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/
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/
Monday, April 11, 2011
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
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
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