Live from the Interim

The time between Christmas and New Year’s has always been a favorite of mine, as there’s usually less reason to leave the house than normal days. I’m a homebody by nature; my problem is I’m just not left home alone that much (psychiatrist’s orders).
The past couple days have been a hodgepodge of doing stuff I’ve [...]

Death by Crustifiction

Grading New Testament exams tonight, I came to the page where I ask students to outline the gospel of Matthew. I had no idea that, in chapter 28, Jesus was “crustified.”
(My nine-year-old’s words: “Sounds like something they do at Subway.”)

Every Party Needs a Pooper (and I’m Volunteering)

The western half of the 64/40 reconstruction opens this morning (work on the eastern half begins today). Maybe I’m just bitter all the forecasted ice and snow is nowhere to be found and I have to go to school for “review day,” but yesterday’s closed-highway party easily makes the “things I’ll never understand” list in [...]

If at First You Don’t Succeed, Rock, Rock Again!

Got to get this (or its non-expletive version) into the epilogue of ThirtySomewhere. Consider these gems:
“Once I hit 40, man, there’s going to be no stopping me. Soon as the big birthday rolls around, I’m planning on starting that novel, opening my long-dreamed-of record store, and finally breaking into the experimental underground film scene. By the [...]

Cheap(er)

This morning on my way to school, I filled up our Oldmobile Delta ‘88 land yacht with 15 gallons of unleaded gas. The total price? $27, which works out to about $1.75 a gallon – the lowest I’ve seen in St. Louis all fall.
Let me use my “I remember when voice” for just a second: [...]

Oxymoron of the Month

Over lunch today, I was flipping through the September 2008 issue of National Geographic when I came across the Explorers-in-Residence Program. Hmmm.

No Excuses

I have no excuses for my lack of content the past week, so I’ll offer the same explanation one of my students gave this morning concerning a paper due today:
“I didn’t procrastinate until last night.”
There you have it. Keep reading: one day I’ll write something.

Things I Get/Don’t Get

The buzz over Batman, I get./The buzz over Mamma Mia, I don’t get.
That I’m getting older and feeling it more, I get./That I’ve felt “barely able to walk” bad at 37, I don’t get.
The Cardinals hoping to get Chris Carpenter back, I get./The Cardinals hoping (still) to get Mark Mulder back, I don’t get.
That temperatures [...]

Taking a Break from Boxes Linkage

It’s been a long while since I’ve posted some linkage, so in light of it being Friday, here you go:

We’re still in need of about $1,000 for our home closing (in four days), so if you’ve yet to take advantage of our $10 Gets You 15 Songs deal, now is the time.
In case you’re wondering, [...]

In the Air Tonight

Brian Rutland, my first drummer (no, he didn’t die the death of a Spinal Tap drummer) is now a pastor in Littleton, CO, and sent me this clip. We used to “cover” Phil Collins’s “In the Air Tonight” using lyrics I rewrote from more of an eschatological perspective (”I can feel [...]

Linky, Linky

It’s usually feast or famine for me with links; today, I happen to be eating well. Here are some particularly inspiring links that I hope fill your creative cup and stick to your spiritual ribs:

If you’re not doing anything this weekend, think about checking out the Unversity of St. Louis’ StoryTelling Festival (we’re taking the [...]

Just as I Suspected

Cheerleading try-outs are this week and it’s taking a toll of dramatic proportions. Here’s proof, as related to me by a female student who is (and will be next year) a cheerleader:
Cheerleading – it will mess with your head if you do it too long.
Just as I suspected, but now I finally have actual insider [...]

Five Things of Late

1. I can’t remember where I read it, but I’ve been thinking a lot about the idea that, with the proliferation of so many news/infotainment sites, headlines tend to be more and more alarmist in nature so as to capture (and re-capture) readership. No wonder the world feels like it’s falling apart at such a [...]

Top Three Jobs I Wouldn’t Want Today

In light of the news, this short list of not-so-great jobs came to mind. I’m glad I’m not

an Olympic torchbearer in San Francisco
a debate coach for General Petraeus
a desk attendant for American Airlines

Others?

Linklings

As it’s Friday, here are some links for the weekend (my treat):

I can’t decide if I like the new direction of the James Bond franchise or not; looks like the next one is again going to be more emotionally realistic, which is my problem (I like my spies untouchable, thank you)
This article about offices and [...]

On Nostalgia

“Nostalgia undermines the ability to make intelligent use of the past. Memory, in contrast, does not idealize the past to condemn the present, but draws hope from the past in order to enrich the present and guide the future.” Christopher Lasch
“Nostalgia isn’t what it used to be.” Peter De Vries

Overcast Links

A few links on an overcast, rainy day (our third in a row, which I’m loving):

Megan is finishing up her music discussion week (one more song tomorrow), so check out the lyrics and leave a comment; everybody’s doing it
At least somebody at the New York Times gets it regarding Eliot Spitzer (and men in general [...]

The Truth Is Out There

In the comments on my last post, the discussion took a turn and ended up on The X-Files and the upcoming second movie, due out July 25th. I’m geared up for the flick, though I have no idea why they’re apparently letting go of the government conspiracy arc and dealing only with the paranormal; still, [...]

Caption Contest Winners

For those following the caption contest and waiting with bated breath for the results, Megan has made her final evaluative decisions. Her rankings and rationale:
#5 “I feel like life is changing, and it all depends on this little box.” (Maddie) – okay, so I’m a little biased, but this was pretty good for a nine-year-old
#4 [...]

Caption Contest

The picture below was recently published in Westminster’s 2008-2009 course selection handbook for parents and students. As a result, I’ve been getting grief (”You look like you’re doing a magic trick,” “Vanna White has competition,” etc.) ever since, mostly from colleagues, family, and others who claim they care for and love me.
Because I’d hate for [...]