Willys

The Jeep on the left is a little older than mine on the right.

25 Years

Today (actually tomorrow) is the 25th anniversary of the release of Weezer's Blue Album. They didn't call it the Blue Album at the time...it was just a self-titled album named after the band. It was one of the masterpieces of the 1990's and had a huge impact on me. Here was a band that rocked hard but didn't wear leather pants, feather boas and sport spiked hair-sprayed hair. Weezer looked like the kind of guys I hung out with. Just some dorks who could play and great music.

So in honor of the anniversary, my son and I joined the band via the magic of lame photo-shop!

The Swinging 90's

Just finished High Fidelity by Nick Hornby. Reminded me of 1990's London only I've never been to England so I wouldn't really know. I spent most of the 1990's in Oklahoma City, Barcelona and Dallas. But it did remind me of the 90's. Funny book yet also heartfelt. Better than the Cusack movie which moved the story to Chicago. But I don't remember much about that movie so I should give it a re-watch.

Moving on...

I have to admit I was a bit sad to hear that Live From Here with Chris Thile was officially moving their home base to New York City. The move isn't unexpected. Ever since Thile took over A Prairie Home Companion he has been making changes to the format and content of the show. Most notably, the name of the show changed after the show's creator, Garrison Keillor was accused of sexual harassment a couple of years ago. Then last year the original musical director and two cast members were replaced. The theme song changed a couple of times over the past three years as well as the organization of the show itself (a lot more music, a lot less monologues).

Many of these changes were good. But still, it saddens me a bit to see the show uproot from its Minnesota roots. I hate that so many of our cultural institutions are embedded in New York or Los Angeles. It was refreshing to see the midwest represented on a show of such excellence. The show has toured a lot in recent years and was only in Minnesota for a few episodes this past season. Everything being based on the coasts is so tiresome. A little geographic diversity in our American cultural institutions would be nice.

I'm progressive in a lot of ways, but there are strains of traditionalism inside me. I like traditions that connect me to the past in positive ways. It really won't make that big of difference to the format or quality of the show to be based in The Town Hall in Manhattan. But I will miss hearing that the show is emanating from The Fitzgerald Theater in St. Paul, Minnesota.

I guess, for better or worse, this really is the last goodbye to A Prairie Home Companion.

photo: The show bill from Live From Here's show in Austin, Texas last year.

Happy May Day!

Photo: The workers hammering away at North Park Mall in the midst of unbridled Capitalism!

So Long, Big Sandy...

Today is a bittersweet day. After 17 years and 174,000 miles I say goodbye to Big Sandy, my beloved Chevy Avalanche. She was the best and most reliable vehicle I've ever owned. Big Sandy handled ice and snow in Colorado like it was nothing at all. She plowed through wind storms in Oklahoma and torrential downpours in Indiana as if it were a pleasant day. She brought our son home from the hospital back in 07. She hauled mountain bikes, mulch, sod, luggage and everything you could think of without a sweat. She was a great vehicle for watching movies at the Drive-in. She was outfitted with a new bluetooth sound system a few years ago as a Father's Day present to me so she sounded awesome. She still looks great. But all good things must come to an end.

Back in 2002, the first day I drove the Avalanche to work, a fellow employee said she loved my new truck and said if I ever wanted to sell it, let her know first. It's 2019 and today I sold Big Sandy to her and her husband. I know she'll have a good home.

The Jeep Rules

It is a tradition among Jeep enthusiasts to wave at fellow Jeep owners as they pass each other on the road. It reminds me of when we owned a Mini Cooper. Mini drivers often wave at each other on the road. Another Jeep tradition, which I was not aware of before I purchased our Jeep, is that many Jeep owners like to seek out other Jeeps in parking lots and park alongside their fellow Jeep Wranglers.

My wife discovered this today when she parked at the grocery store. When she came out she found another Jeep had parked by our Jeep. It's a fun thing although it might take some getting used to. On two different occasions, when we had our Mini, I came out to find printed invites in our wipers to join Mini Cooper Clubs. I expect being a Jeep owner will be similar to being a Mini owner in that it's a tight fraternity.

photo: our Jeep is on the left.

More Book Stuff

I've been talking a lot about Ulysses lately but it's not even my main read at the moment. I'm actually only reading about two to four pages a day of Ulysses. Right now my main read is High Fidelity by Nick Hornby. I'm really diggin' it. I'm about a third of the way through.

Here's what I've read and finished so far in 2019...

Eleanor Rigby by Douglas Coupland (I really liked this one, one of my fave Coupland books. Lots of emotional depth. Funny, witty and absurd. )

Lake Success by Gary Shteyngart (Liked okay. Enjoyed some of his other works a lot more. Did enjoy the topicality of the narrative.)

Prince Caspian by C.S. Lewis (This I read out loud to my daughter at bedtime. I've read it several times in the past four decades. Really caught my imagination as a kid. Now, I find it one of the weaker entries of the Chronicles of Narnia. Still...it's a good book.)

Shame by Salman Rushdie (Wow. Great and powerful book. Rushdie is a master)

The Bone Clocks by David Mitchell (Mixed emotions on this one. My least favorite Mitchell book...but he has such amazing skill as a writer that that's not a real criticism. It's still a better read than most books by amazing authors. Some segments are super powerful and emotionally wrenching. But the supernatural premise is hard for me to take seriously.)

Miss Wyoming by Douglas Coupland (Another Coupland! A good entertaining read that I enjoyed thoroughly. I didn't connect emotionally as much with this one as I have with some of his other works. But this is good stuff.)

Shakespeare and Company Paris: A History of the Rag and Bone Shop of the Heart by Various Contributors including Sylvia Whitman. (A beautiful biography and history of the most famous book shop in the world. Great photos, sketches, poems, and vignettes. It was even more compelling since I had actually been there. This is a treasure of a book.)

Clarifications on Ulysses

This is why you need to refer to study aids when tackling Ulysses. Apparently, James Joyce did not mark his chapters or episodes in his book. The only numbered delineations are three main sections (or "books"). So what I finished yesterday was not an episode but the first major section.

I discovered this by reading up on the book online. I found some handy guides that even gave the page numbers where new episodes began. You can tell where they start because there is often a paragraph break at the end of an episode. The next episode's first sentence is typed in ALL CAPS (at least in my edition).

The episodes correspond generally with the story of Homer's Odyssey on which Joyce loosely based the structure of the book. I went ahead and post-noted where each of the eighteen episodes began for easy reference. I like to know how much longer I have to read in a section. Gives me an idea of where my next destination is.

So I can see why so many people have been intrigued by this book. It's not just about the read. Joyce once said that he had "put in so many enigmas and puzzles that it will keep the professors busy for centuries arguing over what I meant." He's right. There's the narrative, then there's the puzzle. Fascinating stuff.

So the good news is that I'm farther along episodically than I realized. I'm now on episode four when I thought I had just finished one. Even though I'm on the same page number I still feel like I've accomplished more knowing I only have 15 episodes left. Funny how our mind plays tricks on us. I'm thinking that was part of Joyce's intention...to show how our mind plays tricks on us.

Ulysses Chapter One

I've been reading at least two or more pages a day of James Joyce's Ulysses. Ulysses is divided into eighteen "episodes" or really long chapters. And I'm proud to say I made it through the first chapter or whatever you want to call it. Only seventeen more to go! I'm still on pace to finish by the end of April 2020, which is my goal.

I was feeling good about the read until about the last couple of pages of the chapter. Then the narrative began to wobble and phase in and out. This was completely expected. I've been told that the book becomes even more obscure and surrealist as you move along.

I like to consider myself pretty well read, but many of the metaphors are lost on me. I may have to break down and refer to an episode guide as I go along. Still, I'm proud to have made it through the first chapter. But here's the challenge: I've made it this far at least three times before in the past 20 years. It's from here on out that I've gotten bogged down and chucked the whole thing.

But today I start on the second chapter. And I will make it!

The Era of the Jeep

This weekend I bought a Jeep. Guess she's my mid-life crisis vehicle. She's a 2019 Jeep Wrangler JL Sahara. Ocean Blue Metallic. I don't get new vehicles for myself very often (I've had my truck seventeen years and 174,000 miles) so I got a lot of options on her. I plan on keeping her a very long time. We get a new vehicle for my wife every five years or so, so that's a different story. But I plan on having the jeep around for the next two decades...if she's a good vehicle. So I wanted to make sure I had her loaded up for the long ride. So far she's been great fun to drive.

I had to have her specially ordered and when I got her she only had five miles on the odometer. We put 200 miles on her just over the long Easter weekend. I took off the two front freedom roof panels on Saturday. That was a blast to drive around in, much cooler than even a sunroof. My wife was just a little too short to help me get the back roof off. It's not that heavy, just kind of awkward to get off if you're short so I'll have to have a buddy help me take it on or off. So I wasn't able to go full convertible with it yet. My son's growing fast so he'll be able to help me with it soon.

Now, I gotta put the beloved seventeen year old truck up for sale.

Projects

My son has a history project presentation over Iraq due this week. He's taking it pretty seriously. Thanks to my friend Omar for loaning him the kaffiyeh.

Some Thoughts on Notre Dame

The photo above shows some pages from my journal that I wrote a few days after we arrived back in the United States regarding our visit to Notre Dame.

The Next Day

I've read this morning that the fire at Notre Dame was apparently sparked accidentally but that an investigation is underway to determine the cause. I did hear that the roof is a total loss. But that at least one of the rose windows was survived. Apparently the organ was also saved from destruction along with many other precious works of art. The stone walls and the flying buttresses also appear intact. The iconic bell towers also survived the fire.

Despite the massive losses, Notre Dame has managed to survive and hopefully will be able to be salvaged to some degree. Looking through my photos, taken last September, I am now haunted by the fact that much of the Cathedral is lost forever. I will never look at those videos and pictures in the same way. It was such a spectacular place. Even in its burned and bruised state today, it is a place of wonder and glory.

Bells of Notre Dame Cathedral

As I type this I don't know anything about what caused the fire at Notre Dame. I don't know how much of the church has been saved.

I posted this video last September. My wife took this video during our tour of Notre Dame. After the video we went up the 300 steps to the top of the bell tower for even more spectacular views. Such an amazing work of art. Such a tragedy.

I hope no one is hurt. I hope that this was simply an electrical accident of some sort. I hope this was not a deliberate fire.

Notre Dame is Burning

I am beyond horrified to see the images of the fire at the Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris. So utterly shocking and depressing. I certainly hope that the cause of the fire is not a deliberate act of terrorism or arson.

My wife and I were just there seven months ago so now I feel an even more personal connection to this iconic structure. We purchased a copy of Hugo's Hunchback of Notre Dame at the Cathedral's Gift Shop. I am currently reading a history of the Shakespeare and Company Bookstore located directly across the river from Notre Dame. We have a strong sentimental attachment to Notre Dame.

Visiting Notre Dame was a highlight of our trip to Paris. It is staggering in its beauty and scale. I feel blessed that I got to walk up the over 300 stairs to the top of the bell tower and see the amazing steeple that's now gone.

I hope beyond hope they are able to contain the fire and that somehow most of the structure can be somewhat salvaged. What a horrible tragedy.

My Tsunde Oku

The Japanese have a word...TsundeOku...which refers to a stack of purchased books still yet to be read. I actually have several of these stacks hidden out of sight so my wife won't get too impatient with me for hoarding books. Above are all my current stacks consolidated into one stack next to my bed. I must admit it's kind of embarrassing and this doesn't even include the ones on my Kindle. A Marie Kondo intervention may be necessary. I am working on it. I am always reading. I just see books that I find interesting and that I want to read. So I put them on the "next" stack. All those books will be read! Eventually.

The Book Sale

Every year on the second Friday and Saturday of April, our county public library holds their annual spring book sale. Every year I take AP European History Seniors across the street to buy books. It's a treasure trove of literature, both classic and trash. One dollar a book! It happens every spring and for me has become a ritualistic reminder that the end of the school year is less than six weeks away.

Today I only bought three books. But they are weighty books. Big books that have often been intimidating either for their length or difficulty of content. I've read Tolstoy before but never War and Peace. The difficulty of content does not scare me, it's just a long long book. But Pynchon and Proust are infamously difficult to read from what I hear. I've read long portions of Swann's Way in grad school so I know a little of what to expect. I expect both to be more accessible than Ulysses.

But three dollars for these behemoths of literature! What a deal what a steal!

I may take my son over there after school and get some more!

Another Go at Leopold Bloom

So I've tried to read James Joyce's Ulysses several times. I like to read (a lot) and this book has been my white whale (sorry for the obvious mixing of metaphors). I think the farthest I've made it in this book is around page 40 or so before declaring the whole thing nonsense and throwing the book aside for another five years before trying again. Each time I think to myself that maybe I'm ready this time. Maybe I've evolved intellectually enough that I'll make it through. Nope.

Part of the problem is I'm not motivated enough to use the study aids available that help explain each and every sentence of the book. It's just not worth that much to me to do that much work for this particular work. I might do that for Shakespeare, but not Joyce. I know, I know...James Joyce fans are saying I'm short-changing myself.  

But I'm going to attempt this literary Odyssey (ha!) again. I'm a glutton for punishment, I guess. This time I've got a plan. I'm only going to read two pages a day. That's right. Two pages a day. I might go further if I find a particular section compelling. But otherwise, I'm limiting myself to just two pages a day. I'm sure I risk ruining the flow and rhythm of the narrative...but nothing else has worked for me so far.

Reading two pages a day will be less than a five minute daily commitment. I can handle that. If all goes according to plan, I should be done with Ulysses in 384 days...give or take. I should be done around April 28, 2020. I do plan on reading short chapter summaries to help me along.

I started two days ago and am already ahead of my goal! I'm already on page 12. Yes, I found it easier to go past two pages in a day when there wasn't the pressure of trying to solely focus on this behemoth of a book. I can read other books I find more compelling while I'm also tackling a day in the life of Leopold Bloom for just a few minutes a day.

Ah, how we start big projects with such enthusiasm. I'll keep you apprised of my progress. There's a super good chance this plan will crash and burn like my other attempts. I'll look at my two-page-a-day plan and laugh at how quaint an idea it was. So naive I was back in April 2019, I'll think.

Maybe not. I'll let you know.

Talents

A couple of weeks ago the kids performed at a church talent show. The Boy played "Hey Jude" on the alto sax just because he likes that tune. The Girl sang "Reckless Love." Both looked great. Both played and sang great. Fun night.

Shakespeare and Company Podcast

Whenever I need to get away from the environs of the classroom for a moment during my conference period I download the latest podcast from The Shakespeare and Company Bookstore. Reminds me of my visit to Paris last September and takes the mind away for awhile. Also gives me some great ideas for my next read.

Spring

Spring Break went by fast. Didn't go anywhere this year. Stayed home. Ran errands and worked on long festering projects. Celebrated my birthday. Ate some good BBQ. Celebrated getting old with getting my first prescription for eye glasses. No sympathy from my wife who's had glasses since she was a kid. Ordered a Jeep Wrangler. When it arrives in a few weeks I'll have to decide to whether or not to pull the trigger and buy it. Will miss my old Chevy Avalanche.

The Break

Spring Breaks starts at 3:45 pm today! So we had to stop at the library to stock up!

Confession

When we joined the Methodist Church a few years ago we were greatly moved by the historical liturgy of the denomination. We really appreciated the Church's observances of the traditional church seasons which are not often emphasized in Evangelical denominations. I know liturgy can become mere rituals to those who grow up with them. But for me, I find them moving. They help me focus my meditations and keep me on the path. I really find this community confession powerful...

Merciful God,
we confess that we have not loved you with our whole heart.
We have failed to be an obedient church.
We have not done your will,
   we have broken your law,
   we have rebelled against your love,
   we have not loved our neighbors,
   and we have not heard the cry of the needy.
Forgive us, we pray.
Free us for joyful obedience,
      through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Ash Wednesday

 

Welp, this is where I will be tonight for Ash Wednesday. 

Happy weezer Day!

happy weezer day! the long awaited "Black Album" drops today. even if it's not any good I'm ride or die baby!

?

I don't have any answers.

schism

A few years ago we became members of the Methodist church. This wasn't a huge stretch for us since the denomination I grew up in was a part of the Wesleyan tribe. I have a family heritage in the Methodist Church that stretches back to at least the 19th century.

So today I'm sad about the realities of the Special General Conference of the United Methodist Church in St. Louis.

It seems that no matter what happens today, a great and historic denomination will experience schism. It doesn't seem possible that the UMC will be able to remain intact. I don't think anyone really knows the form the schism will take. I assume it will be chaotic and messy. Pensions, property and jobs will be effected. Feelings will be shattered. This will be a traumatic break for thousands of people.

Many will leave no matter what is decided in committees and plenary sessions. Individual congregations will have to make difficult choices. Individuals in congregations will have challenging decisions to weigh.

We should never place our faith in human institutions. Human institutions will always disappoint one way or the other. And sometimes, many times, our loyalty to institutions blind us to the original mission of the institution.

And yet, I grieve the fracturing of the United Methodist Church.

I have no idea what the future of Methodism looks like.

John Wesley was always wary of denominationalism. He never officially broke away from the Anglican Church. He thought of Methodism not as an institution but as a movement.

The United Methodist Church as a denomination has been facing an institutional reckoning for decades. I have great hope that the movement will continue regardless of the arguments within the bureaucratic structures of humans.

I know all of this on an intellectual level. But I still find myself saddened by this.

But no matter what, I will do my best to love my neighbor as Christ loved me. 

From the Future

I sometimes wonder what advice I would give my younger self if I were to travel back in time. If I encountered my junior high, high school or college self...what advice would I give myself from the future?

Probably things like:

Don't worry so much.

Relax and enjoy life every once in awhile.

Do your best and things will usually work out.

Do everything with excellence.

Be yourself and be true to yourself.

Don't worry about what others think about you.

Explore and broaden your horizons.

Don't be scared, timid or fearful.

Is that what my future self would tell me right now?

Yee-haw

Western Day at the High School. Faculty can wear jeans if we are geared up in cowboy gear. The school is trying to show support for the FFA. So I'm sporting one of my wife's grandfather's old cowboy shirts. I love this shirt. Pearl snaps and all.

Gray

Gray and rainy this morning as school gets back into session this week. Ballads by John Coltrane is a nice listen on these days. Helps put you into the calm eye of the hurricane that swirls all around you.

Morning Music

President's Day. No students but it is a work day here at the school.

Listening to 1967's Straight No Chaser Album by The Thelonious Monk Quartet.

Losers

Donald Trump, Jr. on teachers (at a speech last week in El Paso, Texas)....

“You know what I love? I love seeing some young conservatives because I know it’s not easy. Keep up that fight. Bring it to your schools. You don’t have to be indoctrinated by these loser teachers that are trying to sell you on socialism from birth. You don’t have to do it. Because you can think for yourselves. They can’t.”

I am proud to be a loser teacher.  

Not an Emergency

Some questions...

Why wasn't a wall built the two years the G.O.P. controlled both houses of Congress? They had the votes.

Why wasn't a wall built with an executive order the two years the G.O.P. controlled both houses of Congress?

If it was such an emergency, why wait two years? Why risk the other party taking the House of Representatives?

If it is truly a national emergency then why wait to declare one until now? Why not two months ago when the infamous Oval Office meeting with Chuck and Nancy didn't go well?

Why not declare a national emergency during the government shutdown?

Why?

Because it's not an emergency.

And 45 never really wanted a wall. It was all talk and histrionics to rile up the base.

Now when the "National Emergency" declaration gets shut down in the courts he can say to his base that he fought for it and the Democrats stood in the way. He can blame the other party despite the fact that he had full control of the legislature for two years. He can blame the other party despite the fact that most of the federal judges who will declare his "National Emergency" are Republican appointees.

And is that road you want to go down? Violating the constitution to get around another branch of government?

Will the G.O.P. be okay when the next Democratic president declares climate change, or gun control or abortion rights a "National Emergency?"

Oh, and I thought Mexico was going to pay for it.

Ha.

Pitchers and Catchers Report

Today is my wife's birthday (Happy Birthday Honey!).

It is also the day Kansas City Royal's pitchers and catchers report to spring training.

Royals had quite the fall last year. After losing many of the stars from the glorious 2014-2015 campaigns, KC plummeted to 104 losses for the season. Many prognosticators expected a drop off, but that was like walking into an empty elevator shaft.

The good news is that many of the older guys were shelved and the young guys got to play. They even had a decent last two months of the season. Some guys, like Mondesi, look like real stars.

So what's going to happen this year? The experts predict futility for this season and next. But optimists see some reason for hope.

The Royals are going back to emphasizing speed and defense. No other outfield will be faster. The infield will be young and rangy.

Getting guys on base will be a problem. Starting pitching might be okay. The bullpen last year was horrendous. They've added some guys to try to plug the leaky pen.

That was the recipe for 2014-2015. Dominating bullpen, great defense and speed on the base paths. If they can pull that off then they might have a shot at the division. Hope springs eternal during spring training.

Dance

A few months back my daughter and I went to a Daddy-Daughter Dance. It was my first Daddy-Daughter Dance so we did it right. Chick-Fil-a for dinner (her choice), the dance at the school, and then dessert at Dairy Queen.

Family of Four

 

So, yesterday we went to court and made the adoption final. We have a "forever" daughter and a family of four. Yesterday was a great day. 

Way Too Early Predictions

Caveat: My political predictions are usually way off. I never imagined Trump and Cruz would be the last ones standing in the GOP field in 2016. And it's really early. There are Democrats yet to commit to running.

But anyway, here are my "way to early" predictions...

Kamala Harris and Cory Booker will be the last two standing in the crowded Democratic field. They may even end up running on a ticket together. Not sure who would run as VP or President. But I think they both have the organizational framework and experience to win.

Beto, whether he runs or not, has lost the momentum of his Texas Senate race. He also has limited political experience. I don't doubt that we'll hear from him again. But I think it may be too soon for Beto.

Biden (if he runs): Too old, too white and too gaffe prone to win the Democratic primary. Dems will look to the future, not the past.

Elizabeth Warren: the Native American DNA stuff keeps hanging around. Gives her trust issues. She has great political chops, expertise and a good back story. But she's not very charismatic. Likability is unfortunately an important thing in American politics.

Tulsi Gabbard: Interesting story but too many weird things pop up on her resume...meeting with Syria's dictator Assad, etc. Not well known and not a lot of political experience.

Julian Castro: Not enough political experience and too little known. Not even that well known in Texas, his home state.

Sherrod Brown:  Not even sure he'll run. If he does...not well known at this point. Probably too moderate to win the primaries.

I'm probably wrong on all this! There may be someone who jumps into the race I haven't even considered. Maybe Bernie will make one last run (doubt it). So, take it for what its worth.

By the way, I would be shocked if anyone in the GOP makes a primary challenge to Trump. 

Live and Not Live

In the fall we often listen to Live From Here live as they broadcast the show over the airwaves. We sometimes even catch the live stream on YouTube so we can actually watch the show.

But once spring hits, Saturday nights by the radio are hard to come by. Fortunately you can stream past shows online. So that's what we did today on the commute. Nice way to start the day.

Haunting and Relaxing at the Same Time

On the commute this morning my daughter said this music was creepy (I think she meant haunting). My wife said it was relaxing. It is relaxing and that was the reason why I chose to listen to it on the way to work on a Monday morning. Sufjan Steven's Seven Swans.

It's Not a Movement without Sacrifice

I saw a social media post the other day that said "wouldn't it be nice if the government paid for adoptions like they pay for abortions?"

I had to shake my head in disgust at the ignorance.

The government pays a lot more to foster-to-adopt initiatives that it does for abortion. It's not even close.

We had no idea how much the government would pay us when we jumped in to foster a child. We did not get into it for the money. But we got paid over $1500 a month from the government to foster one child. Once our foster child is adopted we will still get over $500 a month until she turns 18. She will have free insurance through Medicare. And, the government will pay for her college (including room and board) all the way to a PhD.

Those are pretty big financial incentives the government is providing to foster and/or adopt. A lot more of the government's (your) money goes to foster/adoption initiatives than to abortion. Millions of dollars more.

Once again, the ignorance of many in the pro-life movement is unbelievable. So why don't more families go for it?

Because it's hard. It requires sacrifice. Supporting a movement is easy if it doesn't require sacrifice.

step up

Only in America can someone be pro-gun, pro-war, pro-death penalty and be considered pro-life.

I heard that in a speech from Shane Claiborne.

Being pro-life is more than just protecting fetuses.

On Facebook last week I saw a lot of pro-life posts. None of them mentioned adoption or foster care. None of them mentioned help for women who find themselves in a difficult spot.

So I posted a nice little Facebook post...

"If you are looking for ways to live out an ethic of protecting life in the DFW area I encourage you to consider volunteering your time or resources to this great agency that helps place foster kids in homes. They also facilitate adoptions as well. DM me if you have any questions. Check out their website if interested. They do an amazing work. I'm sure your local area has similar agencies desperate for donations, volunteers etc."

Then I put a link to the website of a great foster and adoption placement agency. One that my wife and I work with.

You know how many "likes" I got for that post? Ten.

Ten measly likes.

You know how many DM's I got? None.

Know how many encouraging comments I got in support? None. 

If I had made a post about the evils of abortion I would have received three times as many "likes." I would have gotten all kinds of comments in support. Guaranteed.

But once again, my point has been made. Most pro-lifers I know aren't interested in complicated solutions. Most are willing to wail and complain about "abortion is murder," yet do nothing. They think voting for "pro-life" candidates is enough. They think posting on social media is enough.

They'll support a cause as long as it's easy. Fostering isn't easy. Adoption isn't easy. Loving the lost can be challenging. Not all are called to open up their homes to difficult situations or to provide respite care for foster children. I know first hand how stressful the CPS bureaucracy and foster licensing process can be. 

But at least give some cash to the cause...and not to some DC lobbying group that already gets millions from wealthy donors. Give cash to a foster placement agency. Better yet, donate toys for Christmas toy drives. Donate food for foster kid parties. Donate clothing. Even better, donate your time to help.

I mean, if being pro-life is that important to you, that it is the major factor in your voting decisions...then step it up and help provide alternatives to abortion. I know of several agencies right now in desperate need for even minimal support.

My guess is that for most it's only important in the abstract. It's easy to have a bogey man to rage against. But when face to face with a troubled child or a troubled young woman in need...it's a lot easier to be silent.

cold!

It is chilly in Dallas, Texas today. I'm wearing a jacket. But it is literally 100 degrees warmer here than where some of my friends live up north. I have friends in Minnesota and Michigan where the windchill will be -60 below zero today!

The Old Stuff

Number 6 is mad

I haven't been watching a lot of first run TV lately. There's just not been much on that has caught my attention and kept it. A lot of what's on seems derivative. I don't get cable or sat so I don't get to watch some of the shows a lot of my friends rave about. I do have Netflix and Amazon Prime. So I've found myself watching some old classics instead of the new stuff. Here's what I've been watching the past few months...

The Prisoner on Amazon Prime. This show ran for one season (1967-68) in Britain. It was designed for just seventeen episodes. It is brilliantly weird. I first heard about it when watching LOST years ago. The LOST producers credited The Prisoner with being a major influence on them. The show is very philosophical and abstract and I'm not sure how they ever got it produced for mass television. I'm only on episode 11 of 17. I find it a fascinating watch. My 12 year old son watches with me and surprisingly likes it as well. The show trusted that the audience did not need every little thing explained to them. 

Peter Gunn on Amazon Prime. Another old show (1958-1960), most famous for its classic theme song. I had played this song numerous times both in jazz band and marching band in high school and college. But I had never seen the show. I love the show! I'm a big fan of film noir and each episode seems like a little film noir movie. The jazz music is great. Lots of style. Great escapism.

The Avengers (1961-1969) on syndication. Another weird Brit show. I particularly like the seasons with Diana Riggs. British shows in the 1960's seem so flamboyantly strange and that makes them great. They didn't care about the detachment from reality of their plots. That surreality is a major draw for me. 

The Saint (1962-1969) on Amazon Prime. Roger Moore learning how to become James Bond. Great little self-contained dramatic stories in each episode. Lots of style and quirky British sensibilities. More escapist television that helps me through the current presidential madness.

My son and I also try to watch Star Trek: The Next Generation and Deep Space Nine (on Netflix) when we have the time...which is rare. My wife and I like watching The Office on Netflix on the weekends when the kids have gone to bed. I also like to watch House (on Amazon Prime) and CHIPs (also on Prime) when time permits. I guess the theme is escapism. I guess that's what I need right now!

So, until a new show catches my attention, I'm just going to watch the old stuff for awhile.

Life

I must admit, the recently passed abortion law in New York sickens me. And whether or not you are pro-choice or pro-life no one should ever celebrate abortion, as the state of New York did when they lit up buildings in pink after passing the law. Those morons just made Trump's chances of getting re-elected in 2020 much greater. Many pro-lifers who were on the fence may have just jumped back into the GOP fold after seeing such an extreme law put into the books and the resulting celebrations. Evangelical's worst fears about the left were just reinforced.

I must also admit that when someone identifies as pro-life, I am usually very skeptical.

For instance, most of the "pro-lifers" I know are in favor of capital punishment. This is a philosophical paradox and ruins the credibility of the pro-life movement. Most pro-lifers claim abortion is murder and that only God has the authority to take a life. Yet they favor the death penalty. This makes no sense, especially since many of them believe in the concept of original sin.

Most of the "pro-lifers" I know seem to want to protect the fetus but don't give a crap once the child is actually born. They don't care about protecting immigrant children. They never consider supporting adoption initiatives. Most don't give a dime or their time to adoption agencies. Most evangelical churches remain silent when it comes to adoption.

I am proud of the few churches that I have come into contact with who have made adoption a priority. I know of a few local churches that have foster/adoption support groups. I have been to an adoption expo at another church. But for the most part, growing up in the church, these types of initiatives were outliers. Fostering or adoption still doesn't seem to come up a whole lot when talking about the problem of abortion within "pro-life" circles.

So, show me you're more than words. If you are ardently pro-life then your words don't mean much if you are not donating time or money or your lives to foster/adoption initiatives.

See, my suspicion is that claiming to be pro-life is a cop-out. It allows someone to feel that they've taken a moral stand about something they see as pretty clear cut. This makes them feel good about themselves. It also helps them come up with a simple tool for deciding for whom to vote. They stop their research as soon as the person checks off that pro-life box. They don't have to do any more research into the candidates. It simplifies things for them. Unfortunately we live in a complicated world. Their monolithic approach to politics allows for the greater evil of Trump's policies to come to fruition...as long as he's pro-life the "pro-lifers" are good. Forget the racism, the blatant corruption, misogyny, bigotry, treason and general incompetence...as long as he's pro-life...he's okay with the "pro-life" crowd.

You say you're pro-life? Prove it and not just by voting for so called "pro-life" candidates. Do something real that  helps provide dignity to the life of a child born in difficult circumstances. Otherwise, you're all talk.

Desert Stories

I'm a sucker for National Geographic or BBC documentaries that tackle historical subjects in remote areas of the world. The Lost Libraries of Timbuktu by the BBC is one of my favorites. This one above is a Nat Geo film about the Great Wall of China.

I like watching archeologists and historians rummaging around the desert in fedoras and driving 4runners to places once grand in scope. Experts in Columbia hiking boots wearing North Face backpacks as they visit remote areas of history. As a world history teacher I live vicariously through these films. If I had the cash, I'd be walking along the Great Wall right now. My son and I have plans to make that trip for his graduation present in six years. We also want to hike Machu Picchu.

The Teal Album

What a happy surprise this morning! Weezer drops a previously unannounced album into the universe! The Teal Album is a record of 1980's covers. So great. The album was released at midnight with no warning. Guess it will carry Weezer fans through until the release of the Black Album in March. After the surprise success of their cover of Africa they decided to go to the well again. Plus, it just looks like they had great fun making it.

I forced my family to listen to it on our morning commute. Really good stuff with some great tracks.

Weezer (The Teal Album) Tracklist:
 
01. Africa (Toto)
02. Everybody Wants to Rule the World (Tears for Fears)
03. Sweet Dreams (Are Made Of This) (The Eurythmics)
04. Take On Me (a-ha)
05. Happy Together (The Turtles)
06. Paranoid (Black Sabbath)
07. Mr. Blue Sky (Electric Light Orchestra)
08. No Scrubs (TLC)
09. Billie Jean (Michael Jackson)
10. Stand By Me (Ben E. King)

Yep

Chefs

Chiefs!

My Dad gave me this pin in 1986. I love this pin. I used to wear it whenever the Chiefs played. But I quickly noticed that whenever I wore it the Chiefs would lose. So I leave it on my desk but I do not wear it on game days. I will not be wearing it the Sunday!

Bears

Yeah. We saw bears during the holidays at a refuge center in Indiana. We are standing on the other side of the fence. The bears are more dangerous than they look. This photo was taken by their caretaker. They've got acres and acres to roam and very nice facilities to live in. What a life!

The Birthday

He's TWELVE?!?

Back to it.

Yesterday my Dad would have been 68. Can't believe it's been four years. Miss him every day. I went to his grave yesterday and shared a Mexican Coke with him.