Promises, Promises

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You can't build a reputation
on what you are going to do.

- Henry Ford

TGIF

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Reality TV

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From (a rerun this week of) Two and a Half Men

Sharon:

[Alan,] You're a very nice guy.

Alan:

Oh, God. That's worse. You know what they say about nice guys.

Sharon:

Yes, they finish last.

Alan:

No, they finish in the shower.

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Who Knew?

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Saying what we think gives us a wider conversational range than saying what we know.

- Cullen Hightower

I assume that it's art.

- Paul

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Brown Nosing The Boss

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And Everyone Would Have A Friend

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For the past few weeks, the number of guests we've served at the soup kitchen has been significantly smaller. Down 50-60% from just a month ago, and 70-80% lower than our highs during the summer.

We're perplexed -- wondering where all the regular guests have gone. (Our number of guests is always higher during the summer, when we tend to have more families.)

It's not like the economy is booming and they've all gotten jobs. For the most part, we serve the unemployable.

It's not like it's too cold for them to get out. A lot of them are out all night already. For the last two weeks, we've had several show up an hour before we open for breakfast, hoping that we can put them to work (and let them in out of the snow).

It's unlikely that they've moved south for warmer weather. Last year we had steady numbers all winter. Besides it's a long way to hitch-hike to Florida, particularly when no one's likely to pick them up in the first place.

It's not like the food's bad. We have a new cook, and the word on the street is that he's great.

Tonight I'm going to a meeting where we'll try and figure it out.

* * *

From one of my favorite Christmas songs:

And everyone would have a friend,
And right would always win,
And love would never end.
This is my grown-up Christmas list.

- Linda Thompson

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With A Little Help From My Friends

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You Gotta Love 'Em

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There were two blondes who went deep into the frozen woods searching for a Christmas tree. After hours of subzero temperatures and a few close calls with hungry wolves, one blonde turned to the other and said, “I’m chopping down the next tree I see. I don’t care whether it’s decorated or not!”

TGIF

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You Gotta Believe

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You know you're getting old
when Santa starts looking younger.

- Robert Paul

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Happy Hannukah

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Obviously the merchandising manager at this grocery store missed the class on political correctness.

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It Is What It Is

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In the old days, it was not called the Holiday Season; the Christians called it "Christmas" and went to church; the Jews called it "Hanukkah" and went to synagogue; the atheists went to parties and drank. People passing each other on the street would say "Merry Christmas!" or "Happy Hanukkah!" or (to the atheists) "Look out for the wall!"

~Dave Barry

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Post-Thanksgiving Stress Disorder

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How is PTSD Treated?

There is no definitive treatment, and no cure, but there are some treatments that are promising.


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Thanksgiving '07

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We decided that we did not want
to over-eat on Thanksgiving.
So we each picked one menu item,
and then went to a movie.

Carol Fay's Biscuit and Cornbread Stuffing

The Loveless Cafe, Nashville, TN
Delicious.

Silky Pumpkin Pie
Pam Anderson, Cook Smart
Delicious.

Before The Devil Knows You're Dead
"No one was supposed to get hurt."
Disturbing. Very Disturbing.

Not a single character is even remotely likable.

(You can click on the photos for more information.)

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What Are You Thankful For?

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"That's why God gave us
Cinemax and opposable thumbs."

- Charlie, Two and a Half Men

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Sometimes It's Hard To Say "No"

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Self discipline is when your
conscious tells you to do something
and
you don't talk back.

- W.K. Hope

The first year I lived in Chicago, a friend of mine from work and I were walking home one night when we found a $50 bill on the sidewalk. We knew that there was nowhere to turn it in, but we wanted to do some good with our new-found fortune. We settled on buying twenty-five boxes of Girl Scout cookies.

I have no self discipline when it comes to Thin Mints.

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What Would You Like To Hear?

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After dying in a car crash, three friends find themselves at an orientation to enter heaven. Each one was asked, "When you are in your casket, what would you like to hear your friends and family saying about you?"

Sean says, "I would like to hear them say I was a great doctor and a great family man."

Karl says, "I would like to hear them say I was an excellent teacher who made a difference in children's lives."

John says, "I would like to hear them say, 'Look! He's moving!'"

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Passion

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Skiing been always one of my passions. I got my first pair of skis for Christmas when I was about ten years old. Since then, there have only been a few years that I haven't made it onto the slopes.

I wish I had kept track. Unfortunately, I can now only slightly remember some of the places where I’ve been and the people that I went with.

From what I can remember, I’ve skied at 27 different resorts – scattered throughout 8 different states in the US (from Alaska to Vermont, New Mexico to Michigan) plus in 2 European countries (Austria and Switzerland). Some trips have been major events. Others planned no more than a day out.

Yes, I know, skiing is not cheap. Over the years I’ve easily spent more than $100 grand. It's been worth every penny. I guess you’d have to say it’s my drug of choice. (Some people go to concerts, I buy lift tickets.)

But more than the thrill of the hill, most trips have been about friends. Friends from college, friends from the neighborhood, friends from church, friends from work, friends “I just met,” and of course my best friend from first grade (even though we didn’t go skiing together until two years ago).

Here are some of my recollections:
Overall best skiing/resort: Vail (CO) – I once worked for a company that had a company condo in Vail … what a perk!
Best view: Stubaier Gletscher (Austia) – If you want to be close to God, go to the top of the Alps!
Most unique experience: Alyeska (AK) – Sea-level, and rain, at the base; often a blizzard at the top.
Most difficult: Snowbird (UT) – I know many skiers can’t get enough of the deep power in Utah, but I can do without it.
Most exciting lift: Axamer Lizum (Austria) – A relatively small resort in Tyrol, but just riding the cable car to the top (see photo above) is worth the trip.
Best sex: Winter Park (CO) – What can I say? It was a great trip.

There are two places I still dream about going:
Lake Louise/Banff, Canada
Portillo, Chile

I’m looking for friends that are interested!

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Honesty at the DOT

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Or, is it passing the buck?

Maybe it should really say, "Workers called in sick. Unrepaired potholes ahead."

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We can choose ...

... between the future and the past,
between reason and ignorance,
between true compassion
. . . . . . . . . . and mere ideology.

- Ron Reagan, Jr.


- Peek-a-Boo I, Rabbit, Yuko Lau

- Peek-a-Boo V, Mouse, Yuko Lau

- Peek-a-Boo IV, Pig, Yuko Lau


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Whether you think you can,

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or think you can't,
you're right.

- Henry Ford

* * *

Yesterday I saw this refrigerator magnet. It gave me a chuckle.

(And remember I voted for the guy. Twice. Who's the dumb one?)

TGIF

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Thank God for the Court System

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I don't think I've ever been more repulsed than by some of the hate-filled rhetoric of Fred Phelps and the Westboro Baptist Church.

Personally I don't even think it's appropriate to make the statement I typed in the title of this post. But, I do want to thank someone.

It's hard not to judge
those that are judgemental.

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We do not determine our purpose,

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we detect it.

-Vikto Frankl

* * * *

I’ve always liked Memphis and the song Walking in Memphis. Many years ago I worked for advertising agency and we shot a commercial on Beale Street. I remember it was a rainy night. We shot the commercial between 3:00 and 5:00 AM. Other than a bum or two, there wasn't anyone on the street but us.

It was a great trip. While we were in town we also got to tour Graceland and St Jude Children’s Memorial Hospital. We stayed at the Peabody and ate ribs at the Rendezvous.

In one song, Walking in Memphis brings back all the memories. I’ve even got a CD that I often play in the car that has noting but this song on it by different artists – Marc Cohn, Cher, Soul Kitchen, Brian Mattson, Lonestar, The Union, Sixboro, Linda Kosut, John Tesh, Paul Anka, Eddie Harrison, Cirrus, Steve Acho, even The Bison Chips.

There’s something about the tune that gets me tapping my foot and singing along. And then there is my favorite line, “Tell me, are you a Christian, child?" And I say, "Man, I am tonight.”

We do not determine our purpose, we detect it.

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Somedays you just don't want to get involved.

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TGIF

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I got some new underwear yesterday.

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Well, it was new to me.


(Honestly folks, this is a joke. I just realized that it's been a long time since I posted something about men and their underwear.)

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Where's Your Strength Come From?

It's important
that you feel strong,
not necessarily be strong.

- Christopher McCandless, Into The Wild
(paraphrased)

I went to see Into The Wild tonight. Wow. What a movie! Beautiful scenery. Good people. Incredible experiences. Tragic ending.

If you want something in life,
reach out and grab it.

I, too, often feel stuck, wishing I could have go out and have a great adventure. For the most part I've lived by the rules. I've done what was expected.

Unfortunately this movie reveals the harsh reality that great adventures don't always end well.

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I Remember That

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Here's Matt, and his crazy cousin.
I guess there's a lot to dance about today.

(Share the joy.)

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