Odd Question

If it was and has always been legal...

Would you try pot? Why or Why not?

Odd Question

If it was and has always been legal...

Would you try pot?

Almost Forgot

Happy Birthday to my mom who turns...oops, not supposed to reveal that type of information about women.

The Infirmity of a Socialite

I love people. I love to be around people. I love to talk to people. On the other hand, I don't like to be alone. I don't like quiet. Many people are not socialites, including most of my friends. This creates an interesting phenomenon.

I am always calling people to do something or to talk. They could care less if they are doing something with someone. They are just as happy, by themselves, at home. I am not happy by myself at home. So they don't call me. Since I am the one that wants to do something, I usually have to do what they want and hope it is something that I want to do so that I can avoid staying home. If they don't want to do something, they just will enjoy hanging alone and respectfully decline an invitation.

Sometimes I get stubborn and sick of making the contact. When this happens, people don't contact me because they are perfectly content and just don't think about it. This always blows up in my face because I end up miserable since I can't handle being by myself.

So this is my problem. Nobody does anything wrong(maybe I do), it is just the difference between types of people. Maybe I just need to find more friends. Or learn to deal with being alone.

Well, there you go. A glimpse of me. This has been a sharing moment brought to you by the Matt Foundation.

Has Prayer Become an Excuse

Many things happen at church, but one thing that you can guarantee is someone saying to someone else, "I'll pray for you." Now this is a good thing that has shown benefits, but I have a question. Has it become an excuse? Has it become a guilt free release from responsibility?

There are many things that are beyond everyone's control, but there are things that happen that other people can help with: Sell a house, give financial advice, help with a job search, etc. People have problems every day that can be solved by the help of others. This should be one of the great advantages of a church community, but is it?

I don't think so. I think people have stopped wanting to put the effort in of assisting another person. They just say "I'll pray for you" and go on with their lives, glad that they don't have to act. Prayer has become an excuse for no action. Churches need to be places of action. We need to be doing concrete things to help each other. Is prayer a good thing? Yes, but not the only thing.

It is time to act.

Reflections of a Boring Weekend

1. Right in the middle of March Madness...Woohoo!
2. Congrats to the Lady Terps on advancing
3. Heroes of Might and Magic can be addicting
4. Reading is good for the brain
5. I don't like being alone
6. A clean stage is a nice stage
7. Low stress rehearsals are nice
8. I hate not being able to fall asleep
9. Billy Packer is a moron
10. Why are humans so selfish?
11. The offertory on Sunday was a good song
12. Help is always nice
13. I hope that I can get a ticket to see Donald Miller
14. I don't know if I live in a "place of grace"
15. England's daylight savings time started this weekend
16. It's funny when people with no game talk trash
17. Is it wise?
18. The Hotel Rwanda dvd had a commentary from the guy that the story was about, taking you through the movie
19. Very very fascinating.

Competition and Caring

Last night I was watching some of the NCAA basketball tournament. The game had just finished and it was a rough ending with many surprises and an amazing comeback. I personally was hoping that Gonzaga would pull it off and beat UCLA, but alas they choked the game away.

So after the final buzzer sounded, there in the middle of the floor was a player from the losing team face down on the court sobbing. On the other side of the court was the winning team celebrating their comeback and win. One of the players from the winning team saw the Gonzaga player and felt bad enough for him, that he left his celebrating teammates to go over and pick up his opponent.

Even though their teams had spent two hours battling each other, this was about one human seeing another's pain and going to try to help. See even good things can happen in sports.

Oh, and Duke lost.

Why do we take action here but not there?

I recently watched Hotel Rwanda. It takes place in Rwanda in 1994. There was a minority tribe in control and another tribe killed the president and then started a mass genocide. Around 1 million people were killed. It is a very good movie, but not an easy movie. A powerful movie, but a dark and horrible film.

The interesting thing about the movie is how eye opening it was about the west's treatment of the situation. Europe and the US basically just turned their backs on the situation. Mass genocide is happening and the peacekeepers we have in there, we pull out. I was all for going into Iraq and getting Saddam out of power, but then these situations come up in Africa and we just ignore them. That's not right.

Anyway, the movie is a movie of hope also. How people do more than they think they would when facing horrific circumstances. It's a movie that I think everyone should see. Although they could have made the movie graphically violent, they did not. It has a PG-13 rating and although a couple of scenes are shocking, overall it resists going graphic.

This happened over ten years ago, but that doesn't mean that things like this aren't still going on in Africa. Now we have places like Sudan, and many other African countries where atrocities are occurring. You can find information here and here.

Happy Birthday

It's a birthday day today. I just used three 'day's in one sentence. This is also my third post of the day. Don't be freaked out, they're short.

Anyway, it's my dad's birthday today and I hope that he has a happy birthday.

Happy Birthday to you
You live in a zoo...oh wait, that's not the right version

Happy Birthday to you
Happy Birthday to you
Happy Birthday dear dad
Happy Birthday to you!!

You may actually laugh out loud

Google Idol

If only...

...I was this honest and humble with myself and others about my faith

ANDREW DENTON As a man of faith, when you look at Africa, what's your concept of a working God?

BONO Look on the God thing I have to be really careful because I'm not a very good advertisement and so I don't want to sit there and say, "I'm a man of faith," Yes, I am, I just can't. I recently read in one of St Paul's letters where it describes all of the fruits of the spirit, and I had none of them.

ANDREW DENTON You fulfil a Christian ideal.

BONO No, I don't think so. All the commandments I've broken and the ones I haven't I've probably wanted to...

Read the whole interview here.

Reflections of a 48 Hour Weekend

1. I love college basketball
2. Upsets are wonderful, like a 14 seed over a 3
3. 16 over a 1 has never happened, but it almost did
4. Free food is good.
5. Girl scout cookies are a rip off
6. Perkasie is a funny town name
7. Congrats to my friends who adopted a baby and are expecting another one
8. Salsa con queso is wonderful stuff
9. I like kids
10. Have you ever tried to out-"why" a kid?
11. I don't think it's possible
12. Constantine is an intriguing movie
13. I witnessed a marriage proposal in Sunday school
14. To JS and JT, congrats
15. Judge not
16. If you don't have money, don't walk through a mall
17. Loud music is good music
18. They made me turn it down
19. Free food always tastes better
20. Cracker Barrel's portions are getting smaller
21. I don't like McDonald's
22. Go Villanova!

Epiphanies

As I was sitting talking with my grandmother yesterday, I realized something. We aren't that different. She was talking about her girls that she does stuff with. I have my boys that I do stuff with. She was talking about places that she would like to go and see. I have places in the world that I would like to see. She plays computer games. Well, let's not go there.

I was just surprised that even though we have many many years between us, not much changes. How we express things changes, some of the hobbies change, but our hopes and dreams and fond memories are very comparative. So here's to my grandmother who would like to see Alaska and maybe someday make it up to Nova Scotia.

And completely unrelated to that...have you ever had somebody ask to pray for you and then pray. And when they do it, they lay hands on you. That is just something completely special and, for a moment and maybe even a little while makes you feel better.

The Madness of March

It's starting. One of my favorite times of year. Why I love college basketball so much. 64 teams down to one for the national championship. Upsets, favorites, 5/12s, and so much more. I have even posted my bracket. I'll most likely be wring, but it is fun any way. If you like the sport, enjoy the next couple of weeks. I am even posting this at the start of the first game.

The Holiday Season

I don't know how many of you know, but there are three very important holidays all around this period and I thought that I would make sure you knew about them.

First we have Pi Day. Yesterday was March 14 and as many of you know the number pi is 3.14... Although it has past, some may wonder how to celebrate Pi Day. Well with the excellent research of fellow geek/nerd lindy gal, here is how to celebrate.

Secondly are the Ides of March, March 15. Ah, it's always nice to celebrate the assassination of a Roman caesar. So treat today very carefully.

Thirdly, but not lastly is St. Patrick's Day, March 17. It is a lovely day for the patron saint of Ireland to be celebrated. Everything becomes green(Chicago river, beer) and many jollies are enjoyed. It also was vital in assisting Ferris Bueller with his day off.

Reflections of a West Virginian Weekend

1. Here is where we went
2. Adz - an axlike tool with a curved blade at right angles to the handle, used for shaping wood
3. Qat - a shrub cultivated in the Middle East and Africa for its leaves and buds that are the source of an habituating stimulant when chewed or used as a tea
4. Re - in reference to; in the case of; concerning (not just a prefix but also a preposition)
5. Deer near roads is cause for concern
6. It was warm
7. Grilled ham and cheese is good stuff
8. 4ish hour hike is long
9. A 3200 foot high overlook is beautiful
10. My muscles hurt, I am so out of shape
11. West Virginia smells
12. The West Virginian mountains are beautiful
13. Velvet Elvis is a thought-provoking book
14. Cabins in the woods are nice
15. I like fireplaces
16. I can be a real jerk sometimes
17. I didn't want to come back to reality
18. The March madness bracket is a bunch of bull
19. Maryland deserved to be in over some of the other teams
20. Go Villanova!
21. Stale chips aren't very good
22. Buy one Get one free is a great grocery store deal
23. Chief Purveyor of Women
24. Newbie, Newb-zoid, Newb-a-saurus
25. We need to be there for our friends
26. I don't feel very funny right now
27. What a wreck
28. Rocks go a lot further when you throw them off of 100 foot cliffs

Spotlight!

Sometimes you run across something that you here and it just resonates with you. That happened to me today. I got an email about a musical artist and went to his website to have a listen. There is some really good stuff. I wanted to share my pleasure with you. His name is Jon Bilbrough. He is a Brit (I know, I know) yet he is in the singer/songwriter form of so many small artists in the US.

So go here and listen to some of his stuff.

It's Over

Well, I am resigning to the fact that winter is over. Way over. Wait, did it ever start? This is the first of a string of days that may hit 60 or 70. No more winter left. This has been one of the worst winters that I can remember. We languished in the upper 40s and 50s in January. We had a total of three snowstorms, with the third not really deserving of being called a snowstorm.

So why has nature cursed us so? I don't know. All I know is that most of my friends and family are very happy that this winter was so lame. Well, here's to you schmucks.

Here's hoping for next year.

Not a good sports week

Well, this week was the final match of the Champions League quarterfinals. Three teams that I have an interest in, all were eliminated. First, Chelsea FC lost yesterday in what was a futile try. Today FC Bayern Munchen and Liverpool FC also were eliminated. A rough week to be sure especially for those football clubs and their supporters.

There's always next year.

An E-town that I like

Last night I had the chance to see Elizabethtown. And what can I say, but I greatly enjoyed this movie. When I saw the previews it interested me, but I wasn't sure. I didn't know if it would just turn into 'just another chick flick.' I was presently surprised at something that I never expected. The romantic part of the movie was used to aid the story and not the other way around. This was a great way do to it and ultimately a great decision.

The story is based around a guy(Orlando Bloom) that has to head to Kentucky where his father passed away to bring his body back to Oregon and his family. Susan Sarandon plays his mother and Judy Greer his sister. I got to say that the more I see Judy Greer in things, the more I like her. She has the fantastic comedic ability that I love. Anyway, back to the story. Bloom also had some incredibly bad things happen that have caused this trip to Kentucky to be much more of a journey.

This is a story about a journey of a character and how he's helped through it by a women. Sounds a lot like Garden State, huh? I would actually say that the film is similar to Garden State. That being said, it is very different. The soundtrack to this film is fantastic with bands like Ryan Adams and My Mourning Jacket among others contributing. It is amazing how a good choice of soundtrack can be used to really make a movie excel. This one did just that.

A charming, witty, quirky film. Definitely worth your time.

Another ridiculous mark against Christianity

Idiots.

Reflections of a Jekyll and Hyde Weekend

1. I love my family
2. I don't like the IRS
3. I like roasts
4. It was a bogus red card that was handed to Chelsea v Barca
5. It was a handball
6. It is always nice to talk to my family
7. I hate stress
8. I have been under stress for two years and it got worse on Saturday
9. I lost in Monopoly and Spades
10. My parents are wise
11. My sister doesn't like feet
12. Number 11 helped me with some major teasing
13. I hate being nauseous
14. Kingdom of Heaven is a good movie
15. Grocery shopping is a necessary
16. I hate it when I can't sleep
17. I lost in Scrabble too...to my sis who had a 51 point word
18. Many things I would like to say, but rover will yell at me
19. I can talk to my family for hours and not get bored
20. My family is so giving
21. I like Chinese food
22. Rum and coke with Ritz Bits
23. Last three cds listened to: Travis, Athlete, Beatles
24. I gave up most TV for Lent
25. Giving something up for Lent does not mean that I am trying to get to heaven by good works 26. Anyone know any funny, quirky, not-well-known movies?

Something needs to be done

I am as patriotic as the next guy, many people would probably say even more patriotic, but that doesn't mean that the US always is right. Something that they do has been bugging me for a while. That is Guantanamo Bay. This is the base where the US has held all of the people that have been deemed terrorists.

The US government doesn't let people in to inspect it, they won't release details about it. We have had the UN say that it needs to be closed and called it a human rights scandal. Amnesty International has said. "Guantanamo has become the gulag of our times, entrenching the notion that people can be detained without any recourse to the law. If Guantanamo evokes images of Soviet repression, ghost detainees or the incommunicado detention of unregistered detainees - bring back the practice of disappearances so popular with Latin American dictators in the past. According to US official sources there could be over 100 ghost detainees held by the US."

At one point the Red Cross was allowed to inspect it and in their report they talked of torture measures being used against the prisoners. "The construction of such a system, whose stated purpose is the production of intelligence, cannot be considered other than an intentional system of cruel, unusual and degrading treatment and a form of torture."

We, as the US, need to be better than this. If we play by their rules, we lose the high ground.

A Tale of Two Games

What's wrong with sports:

Read this. How selfish do you have to be to score 113 points in a game? So much for teamwork. At the same time, how is it sportsmanlike to outscore the other team by 105 points and still have starters in the game. It was just another example of greed and ego taking over a sporting event.

What's right with sports:

Read this. This kid was told that he was too small to play and he wasn't able to make the team in junior high. He loved the game so much that he asked to be the team's manager. So through junior and senior high, he helped however he could. It came down to the last home game of his senior season. The coach decided to suit him up to possibly play because of all his hard work. With four minutes left in the game, his coach put him in. He proceeded to score 20 points in the last four minutes including 6 three pointers. The crowd went wild and so did his teammates. For one moment of a night, a small, autistic senior was exalted by everyone including all the popular people. Talk about the least being the greatest.