A Birl..a Goy...a Shim

Apparently, it isn't that easy to tell these days.

An Indian runner who won a silver medal in the women's 800-meter run at the Asian Games earlier this month has failed a gender test and is likely to be stripped of her medal.

Read the whole thing here.

Quote of the Day

In honor of a friend's long awaited remodeling project being completed, I submit the following:

An ounce of performance is worth pounds of promises.
Mae West

I can totally relate. When Dadathon was finishing our master bath repair (which turned into a remodel, 'cuz wow, that's a heckuva leak!) I had had enough. By the end, my favorite color had become FINISHED. As in: whatever is in stock and ready to be installed within 24 hours.

Sheesh...

When trying to update a previous post, I got this message about why the update failed:

001 java.net.ConnectException: Connection refusedblog/47/40/9/momathon/2006/09/would-someone-please-take-mic-away.html

What do you suppose that means? I can't imagine that anyone is actually reading my blog, (since I generally have no comments whatsoever) and having that much of an issue with anything I say. So, I think my vote is for some sort of spamming game someone is trying to pull. What's your vote?

Worth the Wait

 


UPDATE: a better description of our night can be found here.

It took nearly a year, and many ups and downs before we were finally able to go to this concert as planned, but U2 was well worth it. If you ever get an opportunity to see them live, you should do it. It was all the better that we were able to celebrate the wedding anniversary of our dear friends, and share in their fun that night, too.

It was really something to see rock stars aching by the suffering in the world. (Generally, I don't think of rock stars when I think of those with great compassion toward others.) It couldn't be easy to address such a serious subject in a rock concert without facing an avalanche of criticism, so kudos to them to have even made the attempt.

Rock on brothers. 

For a Chuckle

Robert Gates' 3 step plan for Iraq from Scrappleface:

“Finally,” he added, “Shiite Muslim cleric Moktada al-Sadr, whose Mahdi Army numbers in the tens of thousands, will be captured, beheaded and buried with 72 virgin hogs at a pig farm in Israel. The video will be posted at YouTube.com.”

That's the best of it, in my opion, but you can read the whole thing here.

The Song My Heart is Singing Today

In the past 24 hours, I have had news on each and every one of these topics. My heart is indeed crying out today. If you get a chance to listen to it, please do. You'll love it.

Cry Out To Jesus
Words by Mac Powell / Music by Third Day

To everyone who's lost someone they love
Long before it was their time
You feel like the days you had were not enough
when you said goodbye

And to all of the people with burdens and pains
Keeping you back from your life
You believe that there's nothing and there is no one
Who can make it right

There is hope for the helpless
Rest for the weary
Love for the broken heart
There is grace and forgiveness
Mercy and healing
He'll meet you wherever you are
Cry out to Jesus, Cry out to Jesus

For the marriage that's struggling just to hang on
They lost all of their faith in love
They've done all they can to make it right again
Still it's not enough

For the ones who can't break the addictions and chains
You try to give up but you come back again
Just remember that you're not alone in your shame
And your suffering

There is hope for the helpless
Rest for the weary
Love for the broken heart
There is grace and forgiveness
Mercy and healing
He'll meet you wherever you are
Cry out to Jesus, Cry out to Jesus

When you're lonely
And it feels like the whole world is falling on you
You just reach out, you just cry out to Jesus
Cry to Jesus

To the widow who struggles with being alone
Wiping the tears from her eyes
For the children around the world without a home
Say a prayer tonight

There is hope for the helpless
Rest for the weary
Love for the broken heart
There is grace and forgiveness
Mercy and healing
He'll meet you wherever you are
Cry out to Jesus, Cry out to Jesus
(c) 2005 Consuming Fire Music / ASCAP. All rights administered by EMI
CMG Publishing. All rights reserved. Used by permission.

You Know You're Losing Your Mind When...

You are talking to your printer, and asking it if it smokes crack.


Apparently, it is indeed time for The Annual Homeschool Moms Limo Night.
This is an afternoon and evening where the moms in our little homeschool group cruise in a limo, do some shopping, and end at Mariposa for dinner. All courtesy of one of the husbands, who take turns picking up the tab for the limo.

You Can't Fix Stupid

I know I have stolen that line form that comedian dude(I have never actually heard his routine...gotta put that on my to-do list).

Last night, my children were moderately concerned because they had "heard there would be an earthquake at midnight!" Though I tried to assuage any fears, they weren't convinced. I told them that no one can predict earthquakes, but they just didn't seem entirely relieved. I can hardly blame them. The rumor had the kid version of empirical evidence backing it up: 1)They "heard" it from more than one friend, and 2)It was to occur at the magical hour of midnight. Everyone knows that rumors of things to occur at midnight are for real.

I thought it was all a bit cute if not silly. That was, until a friend clued me in to this:

A hoax about a pending earthquake and tsunami triggered a storm of calls yesterday to civil defense, police and news organizations, and sent hundreds of Leeward O'ahu residents rushing for gas and supplies.

State officials said they received 500 to 600 calls from residents from 4 to 6 p.m.

Spokesman John Cummings said O'ahu Civil Defense took hundreds of calls and he even answered one from a relative on Maui. O'ahu's 911 system was bombarded by hundreds of inquiries, according to police, and geophysicists Brian Shiro and Victor Sardina answered about 200 calls from 4 to 6 p.m. at the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center in 'Ewa Beach.

The inquiries varied but the concern was spurred by fast-spreading talk of a magnitude 9-plus earthquake that supposedly was to occur on the Big Island sometime between midnight and tomorrow morning, which would cause a large tsunami.

You can read the whole thing here. My favorite part of the article is this:

When told that no one can predict an earthquake (emphasis mine), Chuck Jones said, "Better safe than sorry, that's my way of looking at it. I heard there was a possible tsunami so I'd figured I'd fill up with gas and pick up my dad in Nanakuli in the low-lying areas. I'm just going to take him up to my house (at a higher elevation)."

Well, Chuck is right about one thing: it is indeed better to be safe than sorry.
Unfortunately it is also better to be informed than lead by a ridiculous rumor.

I'm A Bit Surprised

What Kind of Reader Are You? Your Result: Obsessive-Compulsive Bookworm You're probably in the final stages of a Ph.D. or otherwise finding a way to make your living out of reading. You are one of the literati. Other people's grammatical mistakes make you insane.
Dedicated Reader
Book Snob
Literate Good Citizen
Fad Reader
Non-Reader
What Kind of Reader Are You? Create Your Own Quiz

(Hat tip:PalmtreePundit)

Thanksgiving

Among the many things for which I am ever so grateful, my husband really tops the list. I scored in this department. As persons go, he is pretty grand, and as husbands go, I think he is in a class by himself. Mostly, I think I love him because he really loves me.

The occasionally tortured existence of one who lives far from their "family of origin" brings a bit of the blues during holidays. For me it's the ache that they're together enjoying old memories, making new ones, and I'm not a part of it. My husband has a special knack to be extra considerate during these times. And believe me, for this man to be extra considerate takes some doing, as he is generally very thoughtful.

This Thanksgiving, however, he topped himself bigtime. He woke up at 4:15 AM--on a day he could have slept in--and our family went on a hike to watch the sun rise on the ocean. We packed a picnic breakfast and did exactly what I wanted to do to kick off turkey day. And save for one short stint of whining by Boy-A-Thon, it was perfect.

Enjoy the sights. Because, if seeing this incredible creation that God has given us to enjoy doesn't make you thankful, well, then nothing will.

Have a great holiday, and hug you family tight.

My New Favorite Site

For a news junkie like me, this is great. I wish the European sites were included, though. Just never satisfied, I suppose.

Cure Alls

Put your echinacea away, and forget the vitamin C. Veganism and sex are the cures of what ails our society. I am so glad to be set straight on that, because, quite frankly, I never would have guessed those.
According to an op-ed piece in the Star-Bulletin , you need to

"Educate yourself about the issues. And realize that the single most important thing you as an individual can do to address the huge problems facing our world is to become a vegan."

That's right folks; a vegan. In the article, the author, Honolulu resident Pamela Davis states that

"There also is a direct relationship between what we eat -- a pig, for example -- and such things as war, disease, world hunger, environmental destruction (think global warming) and other societal problems. It is a complex web that too few people have bothered to explore and try to understand. Essentially, the killing of animals is an accepted aspect of our society, reinforcing our belief that we are superior to all other creatures. This misguided attitude can result in violence perpetrated on animals and humans alike."

I confess that I am one of those lazy fools who hasn't bothered to untangle the web of eating pigs, war, and global warming. Sorry about that. I've been busy grilling porkchops that I brought home in my SUV. On the plus side, though, this article gives me a nifty little paragraph to use for correcting work today in two subjects in school : Grammar and Logic. Thank you Ms. Davis, I really needed a two-for-one today!
If veganism doesn't fix the world, surely a Global Orgasm for Peace will do the trick (hat tip:PalmPilot).

The Global Orgasm for Peace was conceived by Donna Sheehan, 76, and Paul Reffell, 55, whose immodest goal is for everyone in the world to have an orgasm Dec. 22 while focusing on world peace.

But wait! Aside from the monumental challenge to coordinate the timing of a global orgasm, could this not contribute to global warming?

The Parenting Police

Apparently the greatest threat to British children growing into good citizens is a lack of nursery rhymes. Wow. I was way off. I was thinking more in the neighborhood of teenage abortion without parental consent, forced sensitivity training for kids in public schools, sex, drug and alcohol use, and stuff like that. Just goes to show you how clueless I am.

Fear not, Great Britain, the government is here to save the day...whether you wnat to be saved or not.

Those who fail to read stories or sing to their youngsters threaten their children's future and the state must put them right, Children's Minister Beverley Hughes said.

Please do read the whole thing. You wouldn't believe it if I told you.
Most assuredly we can count on the elightened left to follow with their own version of state mandated saving of the children. That is, unless the UN beats 'em to it, and we are all at the mercy of Kofi And The Cupcakes.

Can You Guess The Date of This News?

The President, having never served in the military himself, is criticized as an ignorant "hick". His administration is called "blundering...and inefficient". The president is accused of causing a senseless death toll to mount, in a useless war of his own creation.

Former generals, having retired, publicly criticize the president and his leadership in the war.

The president enacts laws independent of the legislature which allow the arrest and imprisonment without a trial of those thought to be a threat to the nation.

Democrats demand an immediate withdrawal of American troops, believing that it will result in an end to the war.

Republicans accuse the Democrats of disloyalty, aiding the enemy, and undermining the war effort.

These news tidbits are from 1863, about President Abraham Lincoln and the Civil War. I guess there really is nothing new under the sun.

Scrappleface

You gotta read this for a chuckle.

Facing the Giants

I composed a great post on this film shortly after we took the kids to see it. Unfortunately, Blogger crashed and it is forever gone. (Note to self: save posts in a publisher doc while composing.)

Anyway, the film is great. It makes no bones about what it is about or why it was created. Its aim is to introduce "real" Christian faith to the larger movie going audience. It does a good job of that, and the cheese factor--usually oozing out of such attempts--is little to none (can I hear an "AMEN"?)

Now for the irony: the MPAA gave the film a PG rating due to "strong thematic elements". What were these elements, you may wonder? Why, prayer, of course. With such a clear and in your face show of not just one, but many prayers the MPAA felt it was important to recommend that parents guide their children through these "strong themes". Here is what the MPAA's website says about the PG rating in general:

This is a film which clearly needs to be examined by parents before they let their children attend. The label PG plainly states parents may consider some material unsuitable for their children, but leaves the parent to make the decision. Parents are warned against sending their children, unseen and without inquiry, to PG-rated movies. The theme of a PG-rated film may itself call for parental guidance. There may be some profanity in these films. There may be some violence or brief nudity. However, these elements are not considered so intense as to require that parents be strongly cautioned beyond the suggestion of parental guidance. There is no drug use content in a PG-rated film. The PG rating, suggesting parental guidance, is thus an alert for examination of a film by parents before deciding on its viewing by their children. Obviously such a line is difficult to draw. In our pluralistic society it is not easy to make judgments without incurring some disagreement. As long as parents know they must exercise parental responsibility, the rating serves as a meaningful guide and as a warning.

Right..."our pluralistic society". Now, I do fancy myself a bit of a grammar geek, so I may be splitting hairs, but it seems to me that plural means more than one. And lately, I get a real sense that the one thing that is not included in the plural club is Christianity. However, prayer is in the same group with nudity, profanity, and violence.

Um...OK. Pardon me, while I evacuate from this nonsense. If you need me, I'll be hanging off the edge of the culture.

Sin Sucks

Yes, I realize I am slow to arrive at the party of this reality; however, this truth has really been haunting me lately. The impact of sin is so vast and destructive to many people, not just the sinner. Full consideriation of this truth can be overwhleming, because we are all sinners. So my sin affects everyone around and in relationship with me, which affects everyone around and in relationship with them, and...well, you get the idea. So lately it is this vast impact of sin that has gotten me really frustrated. I see it in myself, and I feel it from those whom I know. It hurts me when I know people are ignoring their children's cries for help. My heart aches for the wife whose husband works incessantly, neglecting her and their kids' daily needs of love and attention. And, I figure, if these things cause me to hurt and cry out to Jesus, what must it be like for those who are actually enduring it, firsthand? Ugh. Thus the title of this post.
Paul gets it right in Romans 7:14-21:

14We know that the law is spiritual; but I am unspiritual, sold as a slave to sin. 15I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do. 16And if I do what I do not want to do, I agree that the law is good. 17As it is, it is no longer I myself who do it, but it is sin living in me. 18I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my sinful nature.[c] For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out. 19For what I do is not the good I want to do; no, the evil I do not want to do—this I keep on doing. 20Now if I do what I do not want to do, it is no longer I who do it, but it is sin living in me that does it.

21So I find this law at work: When I want to do good, evil is right there with me. 22For in my inner being I delight in God's law; 23but I see another law at work in the members of my body, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin at work within my members. 24What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body of death? 25Thanks be to God—through Jesus Christ our Lord!
So then, I myself in my mind am a slave to God's law, but in the sinful nature a slave to the law of sin.

So, it begins with me. I have to realize the responsibility I bear when I sin and send out those ripples of hurt to others.

And this is only considering the effects of sin on a horizontal plane. Looking up, I must face that most importantly, sin grieves the Father, who loves so much.

Quote of the Day

Hmm...I think Jefferson would be a bit disappointed with us these days:

"I consider the government of the U.S. as interdicted by the Constitution from intermeddling with religious institutions, their doctrines, discipline, or exercises."

-- Thomas Jefferson (letter to Samuel Miller, 23 January 1809)

Reference: Jefferson Writings, Peterson, ed., 1186.

At Least I Have a Brain!

You Are 45% Left Brained, 55% Right Brained

The left side of your brain controls verbal ability, attention to detail, and reasoning. Left brained people are good at communication and persuading others. If you're left brained, you are likely good at math and logic. Your left brain prefers dogs, reading, and quiet. The right side of your brain is all about creativity and flexibility. Daring and intuitive, right brained people see the world in their unique way. If you're right brained, you likely have a talent for creative writing and art. Your right brain prefers day dreaming, philosophy, and sports.

Are You Right or Left Brained?

This was fun. Hat tip: Palmtreepundit

Happy Feet Pushes Flu Meds

Yesterday, I was lying in bed trying to recover from truly miserable neck and back pain. (By the way, I have total understanding for anyone who is addicted to pain meds.) This left me able to do some reading, though that began to exacerbate the pain. Finally, I gave in, and watched a bit of TV. This is always a mistake for me, because I am so critical of the tube. This time was no exception. I saw what I thought would be a trailer for the movie "Happy Feet". However, it was instead, a commercial for antiviral flu meds. You've got to give kudos to the ad agency--very clever, indeed. I mean I would have thought that all possible avenues for cramming advertisements into our lives had been taken. However, advertisers always seem able to find a new wall to spraypaint, so to speak. And better yet, they found a way to get the children to do a word of mouth campaign for them.
Fear not, if you have't yet seen this partnership between the children's film and the flu med manufacutrer, you will. This, from the RocheUSA website:

Full page print ads will appear in national magazines including Fitness, Family Circle, O, Martha Stewart Living, and others. There will be on-line advertising on sites such as www.ivillage.com. Roche is extending the campaign to airports and movie theatres.