Friday, June 16, 2006

Obscene or Not?

Trust in the Lord and you will be happy. 16:20b

Today I spent an obscene amount of money on a swimming suit. I justify this expenditure due to the fact that I am trying to prevent myself from looking obscene while swimming.

Overheard:
Acodrnicig to smeboyd's crkcaopt teorhy it is pssbiloe to raed a mgsesae lkie this with flul ustednannirg eevn tuoghh the lteters are mxeid up, as lnog as the bngeninig and ednnig lreetts of ecah wrod are ccrreot. Is trhee a lgnsuiiitc eatlpxanoin for this pneohmnoen? Or is it a bcnuh of beoalny?

Thursday, June 15, 2006

Don't Believe Everything You Read

Kind words bring life, but cruel words crush your spirit. 15:4

Today's Game
Mavericks 74
Heat 98
Final

Our Mavericks have just lost bad to Miami, but I have a funny Mavs story to tell anyway. Tonight we had dessert with friends whose son had dressed up with three of his friends to see if they could win free tickets to get into the first Mav's game of the finals. We saw the home video of these boys dressed with their graduation caps, aviator sun glasses, and bare bellies that spelled out M-A-V-S. Their winning audition included a song and dance routine and they added a dramatic touch by turning to the camera and saying things like, "Grandma, I'm sorry you came all this way to see me graduate, but I really wanted to watch the Mavs win tonight, so I won't be there."

Well, the gullible Miami Herald reporter picked up on this, and wrote the following story.

Miami Herald, The (FL)
June 9, 2006
Section: Special Section
Edition: Final
Page: 2NB
Memo:NBA FINALS


WHAT'S HOOPENING? GO TO GREAT LENGTHS
CAMMY CLARK, Miami Herald Staff

When Pomp and Circumstance was played at Rusk High School in Rusk, Texas, on Thursday night, the friends and family of senior Troy Harrison were in for a shock.
Beloved Troy and his three buddies were playing hooky from their own graduation. Instead of getting their diplomas, they were three hours away in Dallas - wearing their caps, but not their gowns. Their stomachs were bare, spelling out: M-A-V-S.

``I didn't tell them I was coming,'' Harrison conceded. ``We got other friends they can cheer for.''

The teenaged quartet was among about 250 people who looked like they were going to a Halloween party and acted like they had just escaped from the Cukoo's Nest.
...


And the followup to this story: when the Miami Herald actually printed this story, the boys were shocked. One of them told his mom, "I've really learned a lesson here." She then expected him to say something like, "Surely your sins shall find you out." But no. He said, "I've learned not to believe everything I read in the newspapers."

Overheard:
There's a lizard in my bathroom.

Tuesday, June 13, 2006

Why Didn't We Do This Sooner?

If you refuse good advice, you are asking for trouble; follow it and you are safe. 13:13

It has been two weeks since Rachel moved "out" of our house, and "into" her own apartment. Now, if you've ever actually been in our house, you realize why those words in the previous sentence were in quotes.

It has been a very good two weeks. It has been good for us, and it has been very good for Rachel. We are enjoying our privacy, less talking, and having less mess in our space. She is enjoying cooking for herself, playing with her new kitty, going places without discussing it first, and in general making her own decisions. So far, I think she hasn't even gotten very lonely since she's found some new friends and had some friends over for her birthday. Also, I've been pleasantly surprised how she is finding her way around in her car to new places and also being responsible with her limited income. All in all, this has been a good move.

The main remaining issue for her at the moment is a lack of a full time job; she is hoping to hear soon about her most recent application to teach at a Christian school. In the meantime, she is babysitting some nearly every day.

Overheard:
How can I help you?

Monday, June 12, 2006

Stupid and Sad

Thoughtless words can wound as deeply as any sword, but wisely spoken words can heal. 12:18


I really should have repeated the proverb from last Tuesday for today's post.

*rant*
I heard a sad story today of a marriage that is falling apart. Joe and Sally (not real names) have been married for 23 years. Their 17 year old daughter overheard a phone conversation Joe was having with the other woman and reported it to her mother. When confronted, Joe's response was to complain that his daughter betrayed him. How stupid is that?? Has he not yet figured out that he is the one who did the betraying? Oh, and his complaint about his wife? "She laughs too loud."

I'm afraid this is a classic case of mid-life crisis (not that that excuses him in any way): Joe has been buying lots of fancy audio visual equipment, a new Lexus, and refuses to let others call him grandpa since his older daughter just had her first baby a couple months ago.

Adultery doesn't just affect two people. The ripples move out and hurt many, many others too.

*/rant*


Overheard:
As long as you are here, I won't, I can't. So leave.