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Thursday, 05 November 2009
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Perfect November
A man who does not work loses his soul.
I believe that. I also believe his work needs to be honest and involve both his mind and his body.
Of late, my paid work has kept my mind very busy, but my body has been longing for honest labor. This November evening was perfect for me. The ground and the brown leaves have finally dried after weeks of rain. The sky was clear and breathed not a breath. The temperature was a cool 42 and the sun colored the sky orange.
I was able to take my rake and push piles to the curb. My muscles moved and my heart beat. Sweat moistened my t-shirt and smoke rose from my barrel of burning twigs.
I made good progress with the yard. I made better progress with my soul.
Just as the sun set, I heated a mug of cider and enjoyed a few minutes of life.
Amen.
Wednesday, 04 November 2009
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Currently
Bad Girls Go Everywhere: The Life of Helen Gurley Brown
By Jennifer Scanlon
see relatedScuttle
Funny what you come across. From my Navy years, I knew the term "scuttle" to mean a small opening or escape. (In Hawaii, we would say puka - "poo-ka.") The related term "scuttlebutt" was sailor slang for gossip.
From my daughter's growing up years, I knew scuttle as Ariel's seagull companion from "The Little Mermaid."
Turns out the 'good old days' had a different term for the word. Here's an excerpt from a Time Magazine discussion on sexual harassment, citing Helen Gurley Brown:
What's a girl to do when she encounters sexual harassment in the office? If she's a Cosmo girl, she apparently should think twice before becoming offended. Helen Gurley Brown, the longtime editor in chief of Cosmopolitan magazine and tireless doyenne of social advice, believes there's still a place for "sexual chemistry" in the workplace.
Writing in the Wall Street Journal last week, Brown fondly recalled working at a Los Angeles radio station during the late 1940s and early '50s. Her male co-workers, wrote Brown, played a "dandy game called 'Scuttle' . . . ((they)) would select a secretary, chase her down the halls . . . catch her and take her panties off. Nothing wicked ever happened."
According to the author, everyone enjoyed the pursuit and "no scuttler was ever reported to the front office. Au contraire, the girls wore their prettiest panties to work . . . Alas, I was never scuttled." Brown professed shock that modern girls would disagree with her notions of what constitutes a playful professional pastime.
Apparently, there is less bold variation of this game where men place bets on the color of the woman's panties, chase her and then flip up her skirt. I gather there are still working women who find that to be a "playful professional pastime."
At my workplace, the guy would be fired so fast he'd be on the street before the woman's skirt hem was back at her knees. But maybe that's just my work environment.
Whatever the case ... this brings a whole new definition to "Scuttle Butt."
Are there still places out there where "scuttling" would be considered a "playful professional pastime?"
For additional comments, click here: Featured on ManCouch
Tuesday, 03 November 2009
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The Perfect Pizza
Saint VI made a couple of very nice homemade pizzas this evening. They were pan pizzas. One had beef topping and the other had turkey pepperoni. They are simple, tasty and filling.
But I've met a lot of passionate pizza people who have strong feelings about what makes a perfect pizza. The type of crust, the freshness and size and type of toppings, the cheese and sauce used and whether it's eaten hot out of the oven or as a bachelor breakfast.What makes a pizza perfect for you?
For additional comments, click here: Featured on IReallyLikeFood
Saturday, 31 October 2009
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Ghosts of Hallowe'en Past
El Lapiz inspired me to go grave digging for old Hallowe'en photos. I didn't find the oldest bones in the photograph crypt, but here are a few. First four are about 20 years old. The last one is only 6 years old, when I porked out on the leftover candy.
When VI was less than a Saint.
When Bookmark/HumbleWalk was a bit more grim.
When JoyousWind/TrebleClef was just a breeze of a note.
Awww.
When Snickers bars MORE than satisfied your hunger!
Monday, 26 October 2009
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Ministry - Another Page
I've had a LOT of ministry blessings, of late. Here are highlights:
Special Needs Prom
Some of you may recall that a local church hosted a prom for people of all ages with special needs. About 300 turned out. Those were just the guest. That doesn't begin to include the escorts (of which I was one), the people hosting the games (kind of like "after prom"), the food, the security and the logistics. First Church of St. Joseph did an amazing job, particularly when you think that the entire facility was used late on Saturday night and had to be restored for services the next morning.
My guest was David, a man about 58 years old with cognitive challenges. He had a bright personality, but tended to repeat back what was said to him if the questions were something other than simple ones. He was originally paired with a mid-teen girl. Guess she was freaked out, so I was asked to be David's escort while he was still in line (on the red carpet) for registration. We hit it off well. He had a very good aim for bean-bag toss types of games. Sadly, after only about 90 minutes, his caretakers spirited him away. They also didn't tell me they were doing so, which led to a literal manhunt of the facility. Guess they didn't check David out of the prom either, because eventually security had to call a cell phone point of contact. They were told he was being taken home with others. I was pretty irked on behalf of David, who was having a great time, the church and committee, who spent a lot of time putting structure in place to avoid just this sort of thing, and for myself because of their rudeness. But - I'm sure David had a great time, so that's what mattered the most. And I have fond memories.
This is just a quick phone camera shot I took when the guests were all crowned kings and queens. (This was really a BIG deal for all of them! ) I'd expected we would have a much nicer photo by a professional, but as I mentioned, he was taken home before that could happen.
Visitation:
We have quite a few on our weekly circuit. I'd say there are about 7 we visit on a regular basis. Currently, a 47 year old woman named Gwen has been on our hearts. Gwen was in our favorite nursing home for a few years with HIV (contracted from a blood transfusion) and an aneurysm (artery near her optic nerve). Early this year, she was well enough to live with her aunt for several months. Now, full blown AIDS, the aneurysm is in an unpredictable condition and leukemia is setting in. But .. were you to speak with her, her personality is SO bright and upbeat you'd never guess. She also has a real child's faith in God. Donna and I were taken a bit aback when she and her aunt requested that we lead her memorial/graveside service. This has happened on occasion. What I mean to say is that someone whom we thought would seek out that service from their church minister has unexpectedly asked us to do so. We agreed, but it is very hard when looking at someone younger than yourself making that request.
Donna and Gwen ... again, via grainy cell phone photo.
Rolling Thunder:
Our nursing home choir continues to go very well. They practice well, laugh a lot and seem to genuinely enjoy our Wednesday night rehearsals and two Saturday services (one at their residence and one on-the-road). We've also been very blessed to see the staff, both paid and volunteer make special, above and beyond efforts to support these ladies in the ministry. Olive is our main contact. Very often, her husband will come by and help with logistics. We also have RNs and LPNs who are on temporary assignment at the nursing home for various reasons. Seems like many will at first be very matter-of-fact, but after a few sessions, they begin singing and becoming part of the group. It really is an instance of watching how the Holy Spirit moves through people to express Himself in quiet and powerful ways.
Regular Saturday Ministry:
This also remains very alive and active. We are booked through the end of the year and even had requests through the first half of 2010. Turnout by residents and their affirmations have been great. Often times, they will speak words of blessing that have deeper meaning than they might know. We take that as an affirmation from our Abba Father about His pleasure with our work. Our guitarist friend Chuck is an avid bicyclist. He's pretty much done with the summer, so we enjoy having his bass and lead backup to Donna's keyboard. We've also picked up a lesser experienced guitarist, Mike, who has been joining us for a while. So, again, we see a lot of blessings each Saturday.
Bible Study:
Donna and I lead a Bible Study at her church on Sunday mornings. I also occasionally help with a service via music or filling in for the pastor (next speaking date is Nov 15). We've been pleased to watch the Bible Study group grow in number, but more importantly, in spirit. They've never (in recent memory) had an adult class. We've noticed in recent months that the quality of discussion and thought has become much more Spirit centered. That's been a real blessing, as well.
Wow. Took a lot longer to write highlights than what I thought!
Just goes to show how when we stop to count our many blessings, we really do see what the Lord has done!
Saturday, 24 October 2009
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Foolish Lies
There's quite a bit going on in my life, right now. I'm tempted to write "Another Page" blog, but it would be way too long for anyone to read through it. Instead, I'll share a little nuclear soap opera drama that recently occurred at our plant. Names have been changed to protect the blogger.
Nuclear power is rather forgiving with worker mistakes, although the errors are scrutinized to a point that the investigations themselves are motivation for doing things slowly, deliberately and correctly the first time..
Nuclear power is merciless on issues of integrity and harassment. Both will kick an employee out on the street and nearly always out of the industry.
Like any work place, nuclear power has people who have issues with each other.
Frank and Ernest had issues.
Frank was certain that Ernest was doing some shady things with his work. Frank would say things like, "I'm going to take him down," to his workmates. Not so bad, but pretty soon the language escalated to words and tone of violence. I'm not sure exactly what was said, but it was enough that his supervision became concerned about two things:
1) Frank was creating a harassing work environment
2) Ernest was falsifying data
Ernest was target number one, since falsification is easy to prove. The situation at hand was whether or not Ernest was performing a routine operational check on the department's portable radiation detection instruments.
Ernest worked the night shift. His after-midnight responsibility would be to take a small radioactive source out of a secured locker and test the instruments. The activity of removing and returning the source is logged via a computer. Upon investigation, his supervision discovered that all the instrument checks had the time 0001 logged for their daily check. Ernest explained that he wasn't precise with the times, but did start the instrument checks at one minute past midnight.
If this were true, the error in time would be largely irrelevant. The instrument needs to be checked daily - time of day isn't critical. Sloppy admin work, but nothing worth raising an eyebrow over.
So, his supervision goes back to the computer records. They show that Ernest had last checked the source out and returned it at around 8 PM, well before midnight. Via other security information, they were also able to determine that Ernest had pretty much spent his entire after midnight time in the department break room. (There are a lot of cameras on site.) When presented with the evidence and a choice, Ernest "retired" immediately.
Next up, Frank.
Concerned about the creation of a harassing environment, despite Ernest's guilt, Frank is brought into a meeting with a Human Resources Rep, a security rep, his union rep and at least one of his supervisors. He is asked about the statements he made to others within the department. Frank's answer:
"I didn't say that."
Eyes open wide. His union rep and supervisor pull him aside and tell him that he must tell the truth. Instead of saying, "Yes, I did say that. I was upset and it was irresponsible of me to do so," Frank says:
"I didn't say that."
He's given another chance or two, but foolishly decides go with the adage "That's my story and I'm sticking to it." Once again he replies:
"I didn't say that."
There are many witnesses who heard him say these things on several occasions, so security escorted him off site for demonstrated unreliability.Terminated.
Two experienced men lost their jobs and pretty well guaranteed themselves no reentry into nuclear power.
I guess what mystifies me the most is that both of these men know our nuclear rules very well. If at any point they'd humbled themselves and told the truth, they might well have gotten off with some disciplinary action and remained employed.
I wonder what they told their wives and children.
Tuesday, 20 October 2009
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Currently
What's Theology Got to Do With It?: Convictions, Vitality, and the Church
By Anthony B. Robinson
see relatedOngoing Beauty
"God did not create us as a painter creates a painting, hangs it on a wall, and goes on to other endeavors. God creates more like a cellist 'creates' a sonata; if the creator were ever to stop creating, so would creation end."~Martin Copenhaver
Sunday, 18 October 2009
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Currently
The Last Witch of Langenburg: Murder in a German Village
By Thomas Robisheaux
see relatedMiscellanea
Lacking inspiration and motivation, but tiring of looking at my last post. Here are some miscellanea:
News
The pastor had me play a man who had his right side paralyzed by a stroke. I sat in a wheelchair in front of the congregation as an object lesson for about 10-15 minutes of his sermon. It's sobering. Try it sometime.
I was given a purple shirt, mug, small mag light and a 1GB flash drive for incorporating a safety technique in my classroom training. Wasn't that big a deal. Ironically, the big stuff I've been working on has gone unrecognized regarding the time and effort. There are a lot of Pointy Hair heads around my part of the cubicle world.
The house across the street from us has eyes. Really. SaintVI might take a picture of it. Our bedroom window faces their house, so I'm curious to know if I get creeped out in the middle of the night.
Anyone seen Paranormal?
Weather
Gray skies suck the muse right out of me.
There has been a lot of gray in our sky, lately. Hence this post.
Did sundress season happen this year? I didn't see any summer sundresses in Michigan.
A little sun came out today. The leaves are just about in peak color. If you use a camera with time elapsed photography, you might catch the sun and leaf colors at the same time.
Sports
I went geocaching with SaintVI and JoyousWind. Mostly I held the dog as they discovered hidden treasures.
The dog marked many trees. I only marked one.
Entertainment:
The Wii has an eerie blue light when it's left alone for a long period of time. It's been glowing for a couple of weeks now. Kind of reminds me of spent nuclear fuel rods.
Went to see Zombiland with my friend Shane. Not my usual sort of movie. Closed my eyes a lot, but laughed a lot, too. It's more of a gruesome comedy than a horror flick.
Watched Ghostbusters. That is MUCH more my speed. I still laugh at a lot of the scenes.
"Get her?? That was your plan?"
"What happens if you cross the streams?"
"It would be bad."
"How bad?"
"Extraordinarily bad."
"Do you have a hobby?"
"I collect spores, molds and fungus."
Sunday, 11 October 2009
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"I buy Playboy for the articles."
Or not.
Looks like Marge Simpson made the cover of Playboy magazine. I can truthfully say I've not seen a Playboy mag in a very long time, but had Marge been the featured content, I'm thinking I might not have made it out of my teen years without therapy.So what gives?
Playboy is trying to attract "a younger generation of readers." Readership has declined with the expansion of internet sex of all sorts. You can read the full article here - Marge Simpson makes the cover of Playboy. (It's a Reuters article, so it's a G rated read.)
"Younger generation?" Really? I recall the models of the 70's being in their young 20's, disliking rude people, liking strolls on the beach and, oh yeah, making some moolah for showing us their Ah-Ha!
Maybe that's changed. The article states that the average Playboy reader is now 35. Maybe the models grew up with the readers and are now suburban moms in their mid-30's who dislike housework, love dinner out at a fancy beachside restaurant and, oh yeah, making some cash for giving us a flash.
I guess that with the advent of all the technology, the younger generation must now be into CGI, 3-D, Anime, and Graphic Novels. If so, then Playboy may be looking at moving from "real" models (like those gals weren't done-up and their photos weren't airbrushed) to drawings.
But really, Marge Simpson??? Have the young stud's taste in women changed THAT much??
I'm not on Playboy's ad campaign crew or the group who chooses models, but if I were going to go for an animated girl on Playboy, I'd have had Betty Boop and Jessica Rabbit in the finalist round.
One thing IS for sure ... guys aren't buying Playboy for the articles anymore.
Thursday, 08 October 2009
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Utilitarianism
A big word with big implications.Utilitarianism means this:
The right thing to do is that which brings about the greatest good for the greatest number.
Here's a Biblical Example:John11:49But one of them, Caiaphas, who was high priest that year, said to them, "You know nothing at all,
50nor do you take into account that it is expedient for you that one man die for the people, and that the whole nation not perish."
The Jewish priests took a utilitarian stance. It was better that one man should die than incur the wrath of the Roman Empire because of a political uprising by Jesus and have many die.1 death < many deaths, therefore killing one man is the right answer.
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Utilitarianism is a common American point of view. It feels democratic and it has a lot of advantages. However, it does dismiss certain aspects of justice.
For instance, capitalism is an excellent method of generating a strong economy. Lots of money and products are created. Capitalism is a method that appears to give the greatest good to the greatest number of people.
However ... there is no inherent justice for where the money moves and collects. Lots of people can be wealthy simply because they were born into wealthy families or picked the correct 6 numbers on a ticket. Meanwhile, many hard working honest people may never have the opportunity for education or employment that will reward their efforts. Also, those with more money create structures to protect it from others.
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Here's one more example. It's a variation of the cliche "ticking bomb" one.
You have a man in your captivity whom you have strong reason to believe has planted a bomb at an unknown high school sports stadium. He has evaded all just efforts to extract information and you know the bomb is set to go off within three hours, just after the start of the game.
Would you consent that torture is a necessary method to extract the information? Nothing fatal, of course. Hot needles pushed deeply beneath fingernails and toenails, perhaps.
A utilitarian point of view would say "yes," this is acceptable given the circumstances. It measures the personal worth of one person against that of a larger group.
Let's add a twist.
You try the hot needles and it does not work. You also have this man's 4-year-old daughter in custody and only 90 minutes left. You believe that if you put the hot needles under her fingernails in his presence, that he will crack and divulge the information. Would you do it?
If you would not, this is because justice overrode utilitarianism. Utilitarianism has a presumed, but not proven belief that the father is guilty and is withholding information and that torture will yield truth. With the daughter, her age proves her innocence. To torture her then equates to injustice. Pure utilitarianism says torturing the daughter is no different than torturing the father.
1 torture < many deaths, therefore torture is the right answer.
I find the implications tremendously interesting on a number of social issues:- Should working illegal aliens have health care? If not, is that different from a US citizen who is unemployed or disabled?
- Is capital punishment worthwhile, even if one innocent person is wrongly convicted and executed?
- Should large people who need two spaces on plane or bleacher be charged double because of their size?
Those are just examples for thought. What I'm more interested in is this:Did you flinch more at torturing the daughter than the father?
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Theology, sociology and psychology fascinate me. Why do we hold the views we do?
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What's the difference between a casual friend and a good friend?
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Whew! Lots of negative emotion pointed at me from many directions, today. But - the Lord is keeping my John 14:27 emo-shield strong.
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Funny thing ... 6 people, all women, gave me birthday blessings in real life. 12 did so in Xanga-land. I wonder what that means?
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