Thursday, December 30, 2010
Noah as 2010 Winds Down to 24 hours...
In the year 2010, the Lord came unto Noah, who was now living in the United States, and said, "Once again, the earth has become wicked and over-populated, and I see the end of all flesh before me. Build another Ark and save 2 of every living thing along with a few good humans."
He gave Noah the blueprints, saying, "You have 6 months to build the Ark before I will start the unending rain for 40 days and 40 nights."
Six months later, the Lord looked down and saw Noah weeping in his yard - but no Ark.
"Noah!" God roared. "I'm about to start the rain! Where is the Ark?"
"Forgive me, Lord," begged Noah, "but things have changed. I needed a building permit. I've been arguing with the inspector about the need for a sprinkler system. My neighbors claim that I've violated the neighborhood zoning laws by building the Ark in my yard and exceeding the height limitations. We had to go to the Development Appeal Board for a decision. Then the Department of Transportation demanded a bond be posted for the future costs of moving power lines and other overhead obstructions, to clear the passage for the Ark 's move to the sea. I told them that the sea would be coming to us, but they would hear nothing of it. Getting the wood was another problem. There's a ban on cutting local trees in order to save the spotted owl. I tried to convince the environmentalists that I needed the wood to save the owls - but no go! When I started gathering the animals, an animal rights group sued me. They insisted that I was confining wild animals against their will. They argued the accommodations were too restrictive, and it was cruel and inhumane to put so many animals in a confined space. Then the EPA ruled that I couldn't build the Ark until they'd conducted an environmental impact study on your proposed flood. I'm still trying to resolve a complaint with the Human Rights Commission on how many minorities I'm supposed to hire for my building crew. Immigration and Naturalization are checking the green-card status of most of the people who want to work. The trades unions say I can't use my sons. They insist I have to hire only Union workers with Ark-building experience. To make matters worse, the IRS seized all my assets, claiming I'm trying to leave the country illegally with endangered species. So, forgive me, Lord, but it would take at least 10 years for me to finish this Ark."
Suddenly the skies cleared, the sun began to shine, and a rainbow stretched across the sky. Noah looked up in wonder and asked, "You mean you're not going to destroy the world?"
"No," said the Lord. 'The government beat me to it.
He gave Noah the blueprints, saying, "You have 6 months to build the Ark before I will start the unending rain for 40 days and 40 nights."
Six months later, the Lord looked down and saw Noah weeping in his yard - but no Ark.
"Noah!" God roared. "I'm about to start the rain! Where is the Ark?"
"Forgive me, Lord," begged Noah, "but things have changed. I needed a building permit. I've been arguing with the inspector about the need for a sprinkler system. My neighbors claim that I've violated the neighborhood zoning laws by building the Ark in my yard and exceeding the height limitations. We had to go to the Development Appeal Board for a decision. Then the Department of Transportation demanded a bond be posted for the future costs of moving power lines and other overhead obstructions, to clear the passage for the Ark 's move to the sea. I told them that the sea would be coming to us, but they would hear nothing of it. Getting the wood was another problem. There's a ban on cutting local trees in order to save the spotted owl. I tried to convince the environmentalists that I needed the wood to save the owls - but no go! When I started gathering the animals, an animal rights group sued me. They insisted that I was confining wild animals against their will. They argued the accommodations were too restrictive, and it was cruel and inhumane to put so many animals in a confined space. Then the EPA ruled that I couldn't build the Ark until they'd conducted an environmental impact study on your proposed flood. I'm still trying to resolve a complaint with the Human Rights Commission on how many minorities I'm supposed to hire for my building crew. Immigration and Naturalization are checking the green-card status of most of the people who want to work. The trades unions say I can't use my sons. They insist I have to hire only Union workers with Ark-building experience. To make matters worse, the IRS seized all my assets, claiming I'm trying to leave the country illegally with endangered species. So, forgive me, Lord, but it would take at least 10 years for me to finish this Ark."
Suddenly the skies cleared, the sun began to shine, and a rainbow stretched across the sky. Noah looked up in wonder and asked, "You mean you're not going to destroy the world?"
"No," said the Lord. 'The government beat me to it.
Tuesday, December 28, 2010
He Found Something He Likes Better than Football
Iowa Hawkeye running back Adam Robinson was arrested for marijuana possession. He was already suspended from playing in tonight's Insight Bowl. The discussion in the Hawkeye Nation is whether he will return to play for the team. Some people say no. Adam Coker is playing tonight in AZ and doing a fine job. There are at least 2 other recruits that will fill in as Iowa has lost several running backs this year. It's possible they may even recruit yet another running back. Some will say that he was in the wrong place at the wrong time and should be forgiven.
My take?
If I were having my college education paid for and if I was suspended from the team, after working my arse off in spring training, pre-season, and during the season - sweating, bleeding, fighting through my own self-imposed limitations that would prevent me from obtaining my peak performance level - only to be told, "No, your choices are not the right ones and you need to think about the consequences of your actions" I sure as hell would not be in anyone's car that has marijuana in it. I sure as hell would walk away and not associate with any friend that smoked pot.
That said...
In 1992, I was in a band. Originally, there were 4 of us. The other 3 smoked pot during rehearsal and at other times when I was around them. At some point, we had another member join the band and this newest member? He smoked pot too. That means 4/5ths of the band smoked pot in the room I was in. If the police had come, perhaps responding to a noise complaint, and discovered that there was pot smoking going on and that I was in the room with them, who knows what would have happened? I don't know the law enough to adequately state I would have been in trouble or if the 4 others would have vouched for me and said, "No, he wasn't involved in this."
I understand where it must be hard, in some sense, for Adam Robinson. I do not know if he was actually smoking pot, if it is popular among Iowa Hawkeye football players or what the heck is going on.
I do know this. Life is about choices. There are definitely consequences for choices that are made. I hope that Adam Robinson is aware of his consequences and that his career as a college football player may be over.
Chances are that he will transfer to another school that needs a running back. He will sit out a year and then return and, with the way things usually go for athletes that leave Iowa for another school, win the Heisman Trophy or something like that. And if that would happen, I would be happy for Adam Robinson but sad for the Iowa Hawkeyes.
My take?
If I were having my college education paid for and if I was suspended from the team, after working my arse off in spring training, pre-season, and during the season - sweating, bleeding, fighting through my own self-imposed limitations that would prevent me from obtaining my peak performance level - only to be told, "No, your choices are not the right ones and you need to think about the consequences of your actions" I sure as hell would not be in anyone's car that has marijuana in it. I sure as hell would walk away and not associate with any friend that smoked pot.
That said...
In 1992, I was in a band. Originally, there were 4 of us. The other 3 smoked pot during rehearsal and at other times when I was around them. At some point, we had another member join the band and this newest member? He smoked pot too. That means 4/5ths of the band smoked pot in the room I was in. If the police had come, perhaps responding to a noise complaint, and discovered that there was pot smoking going on and that I was in the room with them, who knows what would have happened? I don't know the law enough to adequately state I would have been in trouble or if the 4 others would have vouched for me and said, "No, he wasn't involved in this."
I understand where it must be hard, in some sense, for Adam Robinson. I do not know if he was actually smoking pot, if it is popular among Iowa Hawkeye football players or what the heck is going on.
I do know this. Life is about choices. There are definitely consequences for choices that are made. I hope that Adam Robinson is aware of his consequences and that his career as a college football player may be over.
Chances are that he will transfer to another school that needs a running back. He will sit out a year and then return and, with the way things usually go for athletes that leave Iowa for another school, win the Heisman Trophy or something like that. And if that would happen, I would be happy for Adam Robinson but sad for the Iowa Hawkeyes.
Saturday, December 25, 2010
Merry Christmas
It is 12/25/2010. I am sitting in the living room of my in-law's house, using my sister-in-law's Dell PC to share my musings about the world. So many years ago, Christ was born. He was born to sacrifice himself for my sins and the sins of the world. I find it fascinating that Christ gave himself for me and my family and the people I know and the people I do not know. During the Easter season, we will hear him say (paraphrased) 'Let it be your will that is done, not mine, but if you can spare me, spare me.' Christ was human. He bled, taking the worst beating ever recorded in a couple of lines within the Bible. The dramatization of the beating in "The Last Temptation of Christ" was graphic and it made me walk out of the movie theater. It was too much. My history is that blood and guts in the movies do not agree with me. "Pet Sematary," "Braveheart," and even "Doc Hollywood" did not agree with me. There was a movie about firefighters and I almost puked after hearing my wife say, "Oh, his eye is full of blood - he's going to die." It was an amazing sight and it made me nearly sick. I felt a wave of coolness sweep over me. I digress. Christ endured all of that for me. Christ died for us all and today, his birthday, is the day on which we should all rejoice that the Savior is born for us.
Friday, December 17, 2010
JP . . . Ending the Reign
Just read that Judas Priest has announced a farewell tour. So far, the only dates they have announced are in Europe at some multi-day festivals. You can read the Farewell Tour Announcement on their website. My only hope is that when they say "farewell", it means they play in Moline (IL) or Des Moines (IA) or some places that have always supported them. I have never seen the band in person, own few of their releases (Painkiller ranks up there as one of my all-time favorite metal releases) so I would want to see them on this farewell jaunt. I am not going to be able to travel to Europe to see them so I do sincerely hope they play around here.
Monday, December 13, 2010
I Will Not Bow / No Giving Up
I heard this song on the radio on the way home and I really have to say, I like this band. The vocals out of this guy's throat are awesome.
I also like Crossfade's "No Giving Up."
I also like Crossfade's "No Giving Up."
Sunday, December 12, 2010
Better Man
While it seems really hard to believe it is coming up on the 4 year anniversary since I went to Memphis in May, it is equally hard to believe that Pam and Terry, the musicians below in this video, are not known outside of Memphis. They are outstanding. There is nothing, really, like sitting outside on a bar's patio, sipping a beer, and listening to this band. This song "Better Man" is my favorite b/c it captures the essence of this duo: honest lyrics and thoughtful guitar work. The harmonica part is killer as well.
Argument I'm Close to...
"So you don't feel the same way anymore?"
"No, I don't."
"Why don't you go back to the way it was?"
"I don't want to be a failure at what I chose."
"Is it what you wanted?"
"At the time, yes. But I don't feel the same anymore."
"Do you miss the old way of it?"
"Like you wouldn't believe."
"Why don't you just do what makes you happy?"
"Is it that easy? Really?"
"I think so. You won't know unless you try to recapture."
"But what if I'm rejected. I hurt."
"Time is a grand healer. You didn't hurt that deeply."
"I wish I had the answer."
"You do. It will just take time to figure out if you are smart enough to listen to it."
"No, I don't."
"Why don't you go back to the way it was?"
"I don't want to be a failure at what I chose."
"Is it what you wanted?"
"At the time, yes. But I don't feel the same anymore."
"Do you miss the old way of it?"
"Like you wouldn't believe."
"Why don't you just do what makes you happy?"
"Is it that easy? Really?"
"I think so. You won't know unless you try to recapture."
"But what if I'm rejected. I hurt."
"Time is a grand healer. You didn't hurt that deeply."
"I wish I had the answer."
"You do. It will just take time to figure out if you are smart enough to listen to it."
Couldn't Get to Sleep
Alex had gone to bed @ 10:30 and came back down about 11:30, complaining he couldn't fall asleep. I went upstairs and laid with him. I ended up falling asleep before him and that didn't make him any happier. Finally, we both slept. I woke up @ 7 and am down here, doing my contract technical writing. I'm hoping to put in at least 5 hours (7-12).
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