Trick or Treat

So as a Christian, I think I'm supposed to be all up in arms about Halloween. Actually, we got our daughter this REALLY cute pumpkin outfit... and well... I'm kind of looking forward to it.

I've read the stuff about what Halloween "means" and the origins (from both sides of the argument) and I don't think any of us need that much candy... and I'm not a big fan of giving glory to any "being" but God. But some of my greatest memories of childhood came around trick or treat... and it really had nothing to do with the candy... but more with the costume and going through the neighborhood. A chance to live another identity. To be a super-hero. To be Gene Simmons or Ace Frehley (from my favorite band at the time, Kiss). To be, yes, even a demon one year (and as a magician, I could throw fire so I was a pretty scary kid!).

It's funny I ended up in the profession I did... many of my colleagues rail against most of my "influences" as a child. I was a HUGE Kiss fan (my dad took me to see them in concert when I was 11). Even then, people were saying kiss meant "Knights in Satan's Service" and that they were evil. Actually, the truth is (if you didn't know) they wanted to call the band F_ _ K but figured they would never get on the radio, so they settled for "Kiss." (And that does not mean "Funk.")

Now, one could argue that I ended up in my current career despite those choices. (And this is true). And one could argue that I would not have struggled with some of the sin I have struggled with without those influences (also may be true). As an adult I certainly wouldn't lift Gene, Paul, Ace or Peter up as role models...

But here's the thing...I wouldn't lift up a LOT of people who are much more clean cut and working on corporate America. (They are just as dark.)

So what do you all think of Halloween and childhood influences?

Now hear this!

Short hair does not equal lesbian.

Well it's about time!

My friend has finally decided to enter the blog world. Check him out.

I'm a Totalitarian?

So I found a link on Rachel's blog that is an interesting-looking political test. So I took it.

And they said I was a "Totalitarian!"

So... in case you don't know... here is a definition of totalitarianism:

Totalitarianism is a typology employed by political scientists to describe modern regimes in which the state regulates nearly every aspect of public and private behavior. Totalitarian regimes mobilize entire populations in support of the state and a political ideology, and do not tolerate activities by individuals or groups such as labor unions, churches and political parties that are not directed toward the state's goals. They maintain themselves in power by means of secret police, propaganda disseminated through the state-controlled mass media, regulation and restriction of free discussion and criticism, and widespread use of terror tactics. Critics of the concept contend that the term lacks explanatory power. They argue that governments which are often classified as totalitarian may not be as monolithic as they appear from the outside, since they may hide a political process in which several groups, such as the army, political leaders, industrialists, and others, compete for power and influence.

Okay... so I don't think I fit into that category! But this is interesting... as I have a really strong understanding/appreciation of leadership! So I'm not sure how I fit into this category. It is actually quite puzzling to me.

Finally!

Finally! I have discovered the REAL meaning of Christmas on Sarah's blog.

Friendship

My wife and I like mdog. You ought to too.

BTW, that was supposed to hyperlink to her site, but I suck at writing hyperlinks and can't get it to work for some reason. But we still like mdog.

they lie well...

I have friends who lie well. Especially at cards. This is troubling... considering my work and how I know these friends. If mdog ever tells you anything... maybe you just out to say... ah... BS!

blogging alone

My wife is teaching some session at a conference and I am alone... well... me and my daughter (and dog). It used to be that I hated to be alone... and still do in many ways... but maybe age and maturity had allowed me to have perspective. The problem is that I can never sleep well when I'm not with my wife. So I suspect that I'm going to be tired the next several days.

So I have no idea why I wrote this post.

Spam, part 2

First, I predict that the first comment to this post will be spam. "Wow... love your site!"

So this came in my email this morning. What kind of moron would click on this link? And can anyone tell me what they are selling? Jewlery? I think we ought to make up a product! Please... don't go to the site from this page...just in case you were thinking about it... but if any of you want to go from an old computer you don't care about and report back...

This WOW collection is priced you a little bit only.

For authentic reflection, we embossed emblem & band model.

Famous immitation is our Frrank Muller.

Our masterpiece is featured with anti scratch.

Total tracking package to gain you optimally.

White gold with diamond brim is just royal.

http://mg.igtj.ourtopvaluepackage.com/a3g/




scabridity have liked a peep through the crack of longwaisted the door. my
old rebaptize gentleman skewnesses repawn "some liedown novels
else. i said, i thought, if a fellow took a girl to snakelet a party, she
shaggy-bearded ought

spam

So does "spam" stand for something?

And why is it so prevalent?

Are there actually people who go to the sites of spammers?

You can respond anonymously if you want, but have any of my readers EVER, even ONCE, clicked on a link sent by a spammer? And again, anonymous response is fine, but have you ever clicked on one to a porn or clicked on a link that suggest that certain parts of your anatomy are not large enough (you know... ah... your... liver). And if so... and with the knowledge of spyware and cookies and all kinds of crap, why in the WORLD did you do this?

I'm serious.

living a sermon...

The pastor of my church taught about living lives of service today. Technically he taught about the meaning of incarnation... God being with us. He said that if I really understood that God was with me, I would think, act, feel... live... differently.

I left the church, got into my car... and honestly, I was exhausted. I didn't want to be around people. I felt particularly sensitive. I drove home and thought about his words. I knew I was going home to a sick daughter and a wife who was tired and hungry...and I didn't want to serve them... and to be honest, I didn't want to be a dad today. I wanted to rent some movies and veg in front of the TV. I wanted to take a nap. I wanted to work out (well, not really, but I knew I had to!). I just didn't want to deal with a sick kid and serve my spouse.

I'm such a hypocrite at times.

I got home... and I came home to a spouse who, fortunately for me, listened to the same sermon. She greeted me with a kiss, My daughter even seemed to sense I needed a smile... my wife told me to go and take a nap, that I looked tired. She would watch our daughter. I slept for over an hour. I got to work out. I rented some videos. Now... I feel like serving... so I'm off to make dinner.

Grace is an interesting thing. We are often challenged to give it... but sometimes it's even harder to receive it.

God is with us.

You Gotta Love...

You just gotta love country music. Well, maybe not.

BTW, here are some of the All-Time Best Country Song Titles

· Velcro Arms, Teflon Heart
· Mama Get The Hammer (There's A Fly On Papa's Head)
· She Got The Ring And I Got The Finger
· She's Actin' Single I'm Drinkin' Doubles
· I Keep Forgettin' I Forgot About You
· If My Nose Were Full of Nickels, I'd Blow It All On You
· Who's Gonna Take The Garbage Out When I'm Dead And Gone?
· If Love Were Oil, I'd Be A Quart Low
· They May Put Me In Prison, But They Can't Stop My Face From Breakin' Out
· If I Ain't Got It, You Don't Need It
· You're The Reason Our Kids Are So Ugly
· Did I Shave my Legs for This?
· She Got The Gold Mine And I Got The Shaft
· You Done Tore Out My Heart And Stomped That Sucker Flat
· She Feels Like A New Man Tonight
· Get Your Tongue Out Of My Mouth, Because I'm Kissing You Goodbye
· She Made Toothpicks Out Of The Timber Of My Heart
· When You Leave Walk Out Backwards, So I'll Think You're Walking In
· I Gave Her the Ring, and She Gave Me the Finger
· I Changed Her Oil, She Changed My Life
· Walk Out Backwards Slowly So I'll Think You're Walking In
· How Can You Believe Me When I Say I Love You, When You Know I've Been A Liar All My Life?
· My John Deere Was Breaking Your Field, While Your Dear John Was Breaking My Heart
· I've Got Hair Oil On My Ears And My Glasses Are Slipping Down, But Baby I Can See Through You
· I've Been Flushed From The Bathroom Of Your Heart
· I Flushed You From The Toilets Of My Heart
· I Don't Know Whether To Kill Myself Or Go Bowling
· You're a Hard Dog To Keep Under The Porch
· My Wife Ran Off With My Best Friend, And I Sure Do Miss Him
· If Whiskey Were A Woman, I'd Be Married For Sure
· How Can I Miss You if You Won't Go Away?
· I Would Have Wrote You A Letter, But I Couldn't Spell Yuck!
· All I Want From You (Is Away)
· How Come Your Dog Don't Bite Nobody But Me?

"da da", not, "a da!"

So my daughter can say one word with regular recognition..."panda." Well, it sounds more like, "a da" but it is clear what she means. If a panda comes within eyesight, even when we don't initially see it, she says (usually with glee) "a da! a da!" (If you don't understand why my daughter's first word is "panda" you don't know my wife.)

Today i went with a friend to a marching band competition. We sat in the sun for several hours and watched marching bands (one which had "FU" on the uniforms... a very unfortunate school name if you ask me.) So we are sitting in the sun... and I'm wearing sun glasses... which makes nice little rings around your eyes....

"a da! a da!"