Merry Christmas!
Thursday, December 25, 2008
Wednesday, December 24, 2008
'Twas The Night Before Christmas
And all through the house.....
The children were nestled
All snug in their beds,
While visions of suger plums
danced in their heads!
Indeed!
The children were nestled
All snug in their beds,
While visions of suger plums
danced in their heads!
Indeed!
What I'm Listening To #45
Can I just say it? I love Kanye West. This album (808's & Heartbreak) is his most mature and vulnerable work yet. So much a tribute to his mother, so much a confessional; this remarkable young man does his mother proud.
Whether talking to the president or to the heart, he speaks truth to power.
I can't wait to discover what he will teach me next.
Whether talking to the president or to the heart, he speaks truth to power.
I can't wait to discover what he will teach me next.
My Friend, R.
When I first met R. he was working for a university in Veracruz, Mexico. From their he moved on to co-host a nationally syndicated TV morning show (Revista 4) for 3 years, then it was off to Khazakistan with an international pretroleum company for a year, they recently relocated him to West Lafayette, Louisiana, and then last month to Washington state. I really admire his spirit of adventure! And the post cards are a joy, too! ¡Gracias!
¡Feliz Navidad y espero año nuevo felicidad!
¡Feliz Navidad y espero año nuevo felicidad!
Monday, December 22, 2008
Our Latest American Hero #128
Marine Capt. Warren A. Frank, 26, of Cincinnati, Ohio; assigned to the 5th Air Naval Gunfire Liasion Company, III Marine Expeditionary Force, Okinawa, Japan; died Nov. 25 while supporting combat operations in Ninewa province, Iraq.
“Marine Slain On Mercy Mission”
An Anderson Township Marine who died in Iraq this week was killed during a humanitarian mission, his family said.
Capt. Warren A. Frank, 26, died Tuesday while participating in a food distribution mission north of Baghdad.
His team came under small arms fire by an attacker in an Iraqi soldier’s uniform.
It was not known if the outfit was a disguise or if the Marine was slain by an Iraqi soldier. Many members of the Iraqi military have been trained by U.S. troops.
Also killed in the attack was a U.S. soldier. Several service members were injured.
“Our son wanted nothing more than to make a difference in our world,” said Frank’s father, Warren R. Frank, in a statement sent to the media. “He was not a movie version soldier, but a man who looked forward to loving his children.”
If Frank was killed by an Iraqi soldier, it would be at least the second time since the 2002 U.S. invasion that a Greater Cincinnati Marine has been killed by a member of Iraq’s military.
Frank grew up in Anderson Township.
He is survived by his wife, Allison, and daughters Sophia Lynn and Isabella Grace. They live in Okinawa, Japan, with their mother, where Frank’s unit was based. Locally he leaves behind his father, his mother, Rebecca, and his sister Sara. Frank is a 2000 graduate of Turpin High School and a 2004 graduate of the Citadel.
The written statement from the family suggested that Frank had done at least three tours in Iraq. It also said that he looked forward to retiring from the service and planned to teach high school history and coach track.
“Our deep sorrow is not in the life we had with him, but in the loss of life we always thought we would share,” wrote Frank’s father.
“He was our son, our brother, devoted husband and an enthusiastic father. He is our reminder that all generations have those who comprise ‘The Greatest Generation.’”
“Marine Slain On Mercy Mission”
An Anderson Township Marine who died in Iraq this week was killed during a humanitarian mission, his family said.
Capt. Warren A. Frank, 26, died Tuesday while participating in a food distribution mission north of Baghdad.
His team came under small arms fire by an attacker in an Iraqi soldier’s uniform.
It was not known if the outfit was a disguise or if the Marine was slain by an Iraqi soldier. Many members of the Iraqi military have been trained by U.S. troops.
Also killed in the attack was a U.S. soldier. Several service members were injured.
“Our son wanted nothing more than to make a difference in our world,” said Frank’s father, Warren R. Frank, in a statement sent to the media. “He was not a movie version soldier, but a man who looked forward to loving his children.”
If Frank was killed by an Iraqi soldier, it would be at least the second time since the 2002 U.S. invasion that a Greater Cincinnati Marine has been killed by a member of Iraq’s military.
Frank grew up in Anderson Township.
He is survived by his wife, Allison, and daughters Sophia Lynn and Isabella Grace. They live in Okinawa, Japan, with their mother, where Frank’s unit was based. Locally he leaves behind his father, his mother, Rebecca, and his sister Sara. Frank is a 2000 graduate of Turpin High School and a 2004 graduate of the Citadel.
The written statement from the family suggested that Frank had done at least three tours in Iraq. It also said that he looked forward to retiring from the service and planned to teach high school history and coach track.
“Our deep sorrow is not in the life we had with him, but in the loss of life we always thought we would share,” wrote Frank’s father.
“He was our son, our brother, devoted husband and an enthusiastic father. He is our reminder that all generations have those who comprise ‘The Greatest Generation.’”
Sunday, December 21, 2008
Today's Sermon #6
(And keeping with my recent Lego theme)
THERE WAS A MAN WITH TONGUE OF WOOD
There was a man with tongue of wood
Who essayed to sing,
And in truth it was lamentable.
But there was one who heard
The clip-clapper of this tongue of wood
And knew what the man wished to sing,
And with that the singer was content.
~ Stephen Crane, 1871 - 1900
THERE WAS A MAN WITH TONGUE OF WOOD
There was a man with tongue of wood
Who essayed to sing,
And in truth it was lamentable.
But there was one who heard
The clip-clapper of this tongue of wood
And knew what the man wished to sing,
And with that the singer was content.
~ Stephen Crane, 1871 - 1900
Saturday, December 20, 2008
Merry Christmas!
This from the collection of e-cards at www.outgreetings.com. And you know what? I couldn't agree more!
Good shit for everyone, and to all a good night!...er, holiday.
Good shit for everyone, and to all a good night!...er, holiday.
Lego Factory Series #9, view 1
Here are two views of the second factory series inspired building. It's a firestation, and the interiors are complete including a rec room with a ping pong table.... You gotta treat firemen with respect!
Enjoy!
Enjoy!
What I'm Watching #177
"Relax... It's Just Sex" is a wonderful little ensemble film about the trials and triumphs of an atypically faithful band of friends. I've belonged to similiar groupings in my life, and in spite of my continuing attempts to maintain cohesion/connection, it doesn't happen. So in that respect this is a bit of a fantasy, too.
And yet, when you think about it, isn't that an almost essential element in any film where the descriptor "romantic" bounces around? The heart wants the world as it ought to be; in this film, a world where all of these delightful characters finds happiness and love.
Jennifer Tilley puts in another endearing performance and her cast mates are more than up for the challenge of matching her talents. I also really enjoyed Lori Petty and Mitchell Anderson's work as Robin and Vincey respectively.
Get this one, you won't be disappointed.
And yet, when you think about it, isn't that an almost essential element in any film where the descriptor "romantic" bounces around? The heart wants the world as it ought to be; in this film, a world where all of these delightful characters finds happiness and love.
Jennifer Tilley puts in another endearing performance and her cast mates are more than up for the challenge of matching her talents. I also really enjoyed Lori Petty and Mitchell Anderson's work as Robin and Vincey respectively.
Get this one, you won't be disappointed.
Thursday, December 18, 2008
What I'm Listening To #44
Sigur Rós defined by Wikipedia:
"Sigur Rós (['sɪːɣʏr rouːs] are an Icelandic post-rock band with melodic, classical and minimalist elements. The band is known for its ethereal sound and lead singer Jónsi Birgisson's falsetto voice."
To which I add at times techno, hypnotic, primal, acoustic, AND fascinating.
Happy listening!
"Sigur Rós (['sɪːɣʏr rouːs] are an Icelandic post-rock band with melodic, classical and minimalist elements. The band is known for its ethereal sound and lead singer Jónsi Birgisson's falsetto voice."
To which I add at times techno, hypnotic, primal, acoustic, AND fascinating.
Happy listening!
Sunday, December 14, 2008
Lego Factory Series #8
My latest inspiration~
My last one took months as I pondered the architectural details and mathematical conundrums present in my concept. This one took only a week. My thinking was far more modular and collective.
Legos are great!
My last one took months as I pondered the architectural details and mathematical conundrums present in my concept. This one took only a week. My thinking was far more modular and collective.
Legos are great!
They're Back~
The deer that is. The doe and her yearling have basically taken up residence in my backyard. They spend their days resting and munching on the ivy -- how desperate for a meal is that?
And I really am torn by what to do about them--if I can actually do anything. Winter's a fine time to lounge in my yard, but spring brings flowers and frankly, I don't fancy my gardens as a deli for the deer!
Suggestions?
And I really am torn by what to do about them--if I can actually do anything. Winter's a fine time to lounge in my yard, but spring brings flowers and frankly, I don't fancy my gardens as a deli for the deer!
Suggestions?
What I'm Watching #176
Is a completely wonderful little movie. It's a man's mans' romance. It's sweet. It's sincere. It left me in a puddle of big hearted tears.
If you can stomach the concept, you'll be touched by this treatment of the theme!
If you can stomach the concept, you'll be touched by this treatment of the theme!
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
Joy to the World!
There are students you have as a teacher whom utterly enchant you. They are so amazing in their talents, their demeanor, their promise, that you can't help but fall into a Philia-like love with them -- like a secondary parent. J. is that kind of student. So when he gave us a couple of tickets to his holiday concert with a community youth orchestra, my school's librarian and I agreed to go.
For both of us it meant remaining at school late, doing dinner together somewhere, and then making our way to the venue: a United Methodist Church called St. Cecilia's in Damascus, Maryland.
Dinner was pleasent. By contrast, the sojourn to Damascus -- a hellish traverse; Damascus, Maryland is as far away from my home in my county as one can go!
The event was great simply because we both knew how much it meant to J. to have us attend. And it was great because it was really an anthropological experiment of the highest order. Me, the renewed agnostic, my friend, the practicing Jew; trapped in a "Lake Wobegon-esque" reality.
The director was a petite and mousey women in full Mennonite head-dress who was home schooling her own children to save them from the evils of a secular world, and founded the orchestra to give them a chance to play their instruments (an orchestra open to all). Her co-directors were her mom and dad, both retired music teachers from my school district. Most of the selections were arranged by her father, and she meekly reminded us of this ad nausea!
The evening opened with a prayer, and I kept my eyes open out of respect for my Jewish friend, she closed hers out of respect for the assembled mob.
The orchestra was large and their prowess impressive for the ramshackled nature of the enterprise. Time and again, we were encouraged to sing along with the carols. My friend is a Jew who enjoys holiday carols!
After all but the finale was performed, the young director interrupted the show to thank those who helped her. This turned into a surrealist nightmare before we knew it....seconds became minutes, and minutes rambled into "hours" (how long does it need to take to name everyone who has ever done anything for you?) -- at one point I threatened to stand up with the next gracious acknowledgement of something someone supported to make this incredible moment possible--just to see what the assembled crowd would do. We both agreed that this home-schooling mom desperately needs to get out more! And, in spite of our best desires, we slipped out after a little more than an hour to face our commutes home.
I told my friend just prior to our escape that this reminded me of an episode of Star Trek Voyager when an away team was trapped in an alien culture.....
It's beginning to feel a lot like Christmas....Everywhere we go....
For both of us it meant remaining at school late, doing dinner together somewhere, and then making our way to the venue: a United Methodist Church called St. Cecilia's in Damascus, Maryland.
Dinner was pleasent. By contrast, the sojourn to Damascus -- a hellish traverse; Damascus, Maryland is as far away from my home in my county as one can go!
The event was great simply because we both knew how much it meant to J. to have us attend. And it was great because it was really an anthropological experiment of the highest order. Me, the renewed agnostic, my friend, the practicing Jew; trapped in a "Lake Wobegon-esque" reality.
The director was a petite and mousey women in full Mennonite head-dress who was home schooling her own children to save them from the evils of a secular world, and founded the orchestra to give them a chance to play their instruments (an orchestra open to all). Her co-directors were her mom and dad, both retired music teachers from my school district. Most of the selections were arranged by her father, and she meekly reminded us of this ad nausea!
The evening opened with a prayer, and I kept my eyes open out of respect for my Jewish friend, she closed hers out of respect for the assembled mob.
The orchestra was large and their prowess impressive for the ramshackled nature of the enterprise. Time and again, we were encouraged to sing along with the carols. My friend is a Jew who enjoys holiday carols!
After all but the finale was performed, the young director interrupted the show to thank those who helped her. This turned into a surrealist nightmare before we knew it....seconds became minutes, and minutes rambled into "hours" (how long does it need to take to name everyone who has ever done anything for you?) -- at one point I threatened to stand up with the next gracious acknowledgement of something someone supported to make this incredible moment possible--just to see what the assembled crowd would do. We both agreed that this home-schooling mom desperately needs to get out more! And, in spite of our best desires, we slipped out after a little more than an hour to face our commutes home.
I told my friend just prior to our escape that this reminded me of an episode of Star Trek Voyager when an away team was trapped in an alien culture.....
It's beginning to feel a lot like Christmas....Everywhere we go....
Tuesday, December 09, 2008
Saturday, December 06, 2008
Random Quote #98
"There are people who have said that I'm being brave for being openly supportive of gay marriage, gay adoption -- basically of gay rights -- but with all due respect I humbly dissent. I'm not being brave. I'm being a descent human being."
~ Anne Hathaway, 1982 -
~ Anne Hathaway, 1982 -
Lego Factory Series #7
This is actually my 3rd creation inspired by the new Lego Factory series of city buildings. It's two buildings in modular construction with 7 removable sections. The corner store with the 3 quarters round copula is inspired by many such buildings here in Washington, D.C. and west in San Francisco. One I remember particularly well is on the corner of Haight and Ashberry.
I designed it's neighbor as an ice cream shop.
I have plans to fit out the interiors, as well. The corner store will be a bookstore/cafe a la Kramer's Books here in D.C.
Never under estimate the power of imagination coupled with creativity and a desire to problem solve. If I could buy only one gift for a child, it would be Lego. And if I could tell adults everywhere one aspect of the secret of youthfulness, it would be to never forget what it is to have been a child. To not be afraid to play like a child.
I designed it's neighbor as an ice cream shop.
I have plans to fit out the interiors, as well. The corner store will be a bookstore/cafe a la Kramer's Books here in D.C.
Never under estimate the power of imagination coupled with creativity and a desire to problem solve. If I could buy only one gift for a child, it would be Lego. And if I could tell adults everywhere one aspect of the secret of youthfulness, it would be to never forget what it is to have been a child. To not be afraid to play like a child.
Thursday, December 04, 2008
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