Kicking myself

Today while coming home from a day of youth baseball, I passed by a sign for a yard sale. On the "front" side, was the advertised sale, but on the "back" side was a "Hillary" sign. Perhaps I'm ruthless, but I thought this was quite funny. I thought to myself, "Well, at least some of her supporters have read the writing on the wall." (Perhaps after the Florida and Michigan delegate split, she will too). Anyhow, I wanted to take a picture of both sides of the sign, but I was so hot and tired, I figured I'd come back and take it a little later. I applaud the former Hillary supporter for his/her resourcefulness though. I hope the sale went well for them. Anyhow, it was a few minutes after five when I went back and to take the picture and the sign was gone! Oh well...you snooze you lose.

Pair o' Dime Props: Back Creek Christian Academy (ACSI)

Today was my oldest son's last day of his first year at Back Creek Christian Academy. He finished second grade and we were proud of how we did. This school, it's mission and it's staff have been nothing but respectful and loving to the students and parents they serve. From the moment we met their principal, Janet Ballard, to Christopher's last day in Mrs. Roundtree's 2nd grade class, we have felt well-served by this school. Next year we have the privilege of sending both of our sons here.
On a similar note, I was looking at the results of our son's achievement tests for the year and noticed that they have percentile scores related to the national average as well as the ACSI (Association of Christian Schools International) average. This was interesting to me because the percentile scores are lower within ACSI. What this says is that ACSI students perform better than the national average. This is NOT the primary reason we send our son to a Christian school, but it is encouraging to know that he can be challenged by the curriculum in an ACSI accredited school.

More advice for job hunters

I am currently reviewing aplications for a specific job at my university. In a previous post I have offered up tips primarily on interviewing. Today I have a few more along the ines of applications and cover letters:

• Avoid typos on the name field of your application
• When applying for a job in academe, do not mention your desire to work for the "company."
• In the first sentence of your cover letter, you may want refrain from fragments.
• Never overestimate your writing skills. Proofreading is highly recommended.
• Reading generic cover letters is sort of like eating fat free cheese.
  
• Not having a cover letter is like eating air.
  

One reason why McCain may get my vote

This morning I read a commentary by Senator Joe Lieberman from Connecticut. In this era of extremely partisan politics, when someone from the other side of the aisle endorses a candidate from the other party, (which he has), voters should take pause.

I still see flaws in our current foreign policy, but I have great respect for Joe Lieberman, and this commentary makes a good argument for independent voters to consider McCain.

Memorial Day Missteps

Warning: I don't like negative posts, but I can't say this one is very positive

We're coming up on Memorial Day weekend and I have a confession to make. I really get nervous going to church on the Sunday before Memorial Day. I think, like many other secular holidays that are celebrated on weekends, they seem to find their way into the Sunday service and in my opinion, it's usually not appropriate. On Father's day, the only father I wish to recognize is my heavenly father. On Mother's day, I still only want to recognize my God. The same holds true when it comes to Independence and Memorial Day. Honestly, the patriotic holidays are more concerning to me than the others. Sunday is set aside as a time of worship in my faith. This isn't to say other days should not be used for the same purpose, but we tend to focus on our faith on this day. Because of this, I find myself lacking patience with anything that distracts from it. (Remember, I said this is a confession, so I'm not faultless in this either). So with this in mind consider the following that I have seen in previous churches:

• The service begins with patriotic music followed by the themes/anthems of each of the branches of the military. As each anthem is played, veterans and servicemen from these branches stand up to receive applause from the worshipers.
• "Praise and Worship" consists of the National Anthem, God Bless America and the Battle Hymn of the Republic. (Note, the latter verses of the Battle Hymn are actually pretty good, but again I wonder what we're worshiping here).
• Color Guard procession followed by the Pledge of Allegiance.
• Patriotic Special Music
• "Modern Dance" with women dancing in tights with stars and stripes scarves.
• Prayers for our servicemen (which is completely fine), which included the request, "may their sights be clear and their shots be accurate," (which is NOT completely fine).

...and the most appalling....

• A musical presentation which included
• Video of fighter jets, missile launches, and bombings.
  
• Skits that included jokes about Iraq.
• Motorcycles being brought into the sanctuary for the "parade."
  

.....(Coincidentally, this last example occurred in a church that had an evangelist speak one morning who mentioned our need to "fight them over there instead of over here." This wasn't on Memorial day though...it was on Resurrection Sunday!!!)

My pastor last year on Independence day spoke briefly about the sacrifice people make based on their beliefs. He mentioned both the colonists and soldiers of Great Britain and then went on to speak about the greater sacrifice Christ made for all of us. I was grateful to hear him say this. He even acknowledged the veterans in our congregation, which is fine as well. I am very grateful for their service and do not want to discount it at all, but I will go to a parade to celebrate our nation. This is not who I wish to celebrate on a Sunday morning.

So perhaps you understand why I may get nervous. Or perhaps I'm way out of line? Can I get a witness?

Song of Praise (and Conviction)

There is one song we sing at church that I absolutely love and yet it stops me in my tracks every time I sing it. I would think that anyone who is a Christian and is used to self-examining will sing the song "Everyday" and either be incredibly challenged or if they're like me, feel a little bit like a hypocrite while singing it. I love singing it because it's a challenge that will last my lifetime.

Everyday

What to say, Lord? It's
You who gave me life and I
Can't explain just how
Much You mean to me now
That You have saved me, Lord
I give all that I am to You
That everyday I can
Be a light that shines Your name

Everyday, Lord, I'll
Learn to stand upon Your word
And I pray that I
That I might come to know You more
That You would guide me with every single step I take, that
Everyday I can
Be Your light unto the world

Everyday, it's You I live for
Everyday, I'll follow after You
Everyday, I'll walk with You, my Lord

It's You I live for, everyday
It's You I live for, everyday
It's You I live for, everyday
It's You I live for, everyday

Pair o' Dime Props: Politicians who are good sports

Politics can be so intense at times. As a matter of fact, I am doing my best not to get mired in the issues too early and cause myself too much unneeded stress. This morning I heard a reference to the clip below that was on Saturday Night Live this past weekend. Senator McCain definitely cannot act, (and watch how quickly he leaves the desk after delivering the commentary), but I applaud him for being willing to come on that show and deliver the following commentary:



Earlier in the year, Mike Huckabee was on SNL and did a better job but was quite funny as well. This was before he was officially out of the race:

Burning Question: Is Franklin Graham correct in this recent statement?

This morning I read an article in the Charlotte Observer entitled "Graham discourages 'illegal' evangelizing in China." Although I can't say I agree with Franklin Graham's statement, I think I might be able to understand why he may have made it. Considering he has been invited there and not censored in what he said, I think it would be tough for him to officially encourage "illegal evangelism." However, I think it may have been best if he didn't say anything. As a leader, and in my opinion, an "elder" of the church, I cannot think of any circumstances where it would be wise for him to tell people not to share the Gospel

Hillary Wins Again!!

This just in, Hillary Clinton, hot off of her lopsided victory in West Virginia is cruising to yet another win. Since that WV victory, she has picked up the endorsement of one superdelegate, Vicky Harwell from Tennessee. Obama, on the other hand has picked up 10 plus the endorsement of John Edwards in the same amount of time. (He picked up 24 while Clinton netted 1 the previous week). Although Clinton will continue stumping in the remaining states of Kentucky, Oregon, South Dakota and Montana, she will be spending most of the rest of the primary season campaigning in the state of Denial.

As a matter of fact, Pair o' Dime Shift is prepared to call that state for Senator Clinton. Hillary Clinton wins the state of Denial. Easy call since, like Michigan, she is the only name on the ballot. Despite this declaration, I am sure that Mrs. Clinton will still campaigning in that state until the the Denver Convention.

Theology of a Child

Lately I've been getting a kick out of things my kids have been saying. The latest one was my five year old telling me that you have to accept Jesus as Savior or you will go to "hail." Now, I suppose if I grew up in North Carolina that wouldn't seem as funny, but I'm from Ohio. We don't pronounce it that way.

After he said this we asked him if he had accepted Jesus, and he told us he had...three times! I think I need to work a little more on his theology, but we're on the right track.

I feel very important...

Apparently the Republican National Committee needs my opinion very badly. They sent me a survey and told me so. Enclosed with the survey was a four page letter which toggled between the perils of allowing the liberals to become president and the importance of my opinion and how I represent the views of "ALL Republican voters living in (my) voting district." Interesting. I switched from Republican to undeclared over a year ago and yet they still chose me. I'm touched. to think they trust my opinion despite changing my affiliation. It's very refreshing how they would still want to hear from me.

They still wanted me to be informed about the current state of things and how it might be as well. Did you know that among other things, liberals will "ignore the problem of illegal immigration," "staff the federal government with cronies," and "expand the federal government's power and influence?!?" Unbelievable! This is a terrible thought and I'm so glad "my party" didn't do the same thing for the first 6 years of the current administration.

Anyhow, I won't dissect the whole letter and survey, but I will end with the last question asked on the "survey":

"Will you join the Republican National Committee by making a contribution today?
      *Yes, I support the RNC and am enclosing my most generous contribution of"
          -($500, $250, $100, $50, $25, Other $_______)
      "*Yes, I support the RNC, but I am unable to participate at this time.  however
      I have enclosed $11 to cover the cost of tabulating my survey.
      *No, I favor electing liberal democrats over the next 10 years."

I don't know what's more funny here: the fact that not giving money implies you WANT a liberal democrat in office, or the fact that these seasoned politicians spent $11 just to send me a survey and have it tabulated. Perhaps the latter has something to do with our economy woes?

Anyhow, I'm not ruling out voting for McCain, but I have to say this letter was definitely worth the comic relief it provided me. Thanks to the RNC for spending the $11 just to make me laugh.

(Oh, and Rob, if you want to send me a check I will send it in with my form. I know how important this is to you ;-) )

The Bright(er) Side: Gas Prices

I just "googled" what the price of gas prices are around the world. I found this site, and it appears we are still relatively "cheap" when it comes to the cost of fuel. Of course the down side is that our mass transit is so poor, that it's still hitting us pretty hard.

Exercising my Civic Duty

Well, at 6:32 this morning I arrived at my polling place. The polls opened at 6:30 and there were already about 10 people in front of me. It felt good. Nobody typically talks about where there vote is going or even which ballot they're picking up while they're in line. I could be standing next to a Clintonista or an Obamican...there's no telling. And yet there's this sense of doing what is right by voting, and that we're all doing it together. It's a unity of sorts despite the differing opinions. I couldn't help but notice that it was a fairly multicultural group too. It looked great. There's something about not being in an homogeneous group that makes it feel like America. If I were Peggy Noonan I could write a nice eloquent article on how good it felt. I'm not, so this is about all you're going to get. It will be fun to watch the results tonight.

Sentences that cause parents fear and trembling

Spoken excitedly and happily, by my five year old on the way home from church:

"Hey! In 13 years I will be old enough to go to jail!"

I am very afraid!

Sentences that require little (or no) justification

Overheard in the break room near my office this week:

"I had the worst teacher in 3rd grade! And dern it if I didn't get her again in sixth!"

A True Paradigm Shift

So today I started looking at my new laptop. It's an Apple MacBook Pro. I have learned from the few minutes I have given to it that I am getting old. I can feel my brain working double time to relearn the Mac OS. The last time I worked on a Mac was over ten years ago. The operating system seems to have a completely different approach from the windows environments I've worked in since then. When I switched to Firefox a while back, it took me a while to learn how to use it well and unlearn Internet Explorer. I highly recommend the switch though. I suspect learning this operating system and it's applications will be similar but to a much higher degree. Unfortunately, just trying to adjust reminds me of my age. I never understood why old people didn't like change. Now that I am one (WINK!), I understand. I hope the smoke coming out of my ears won't set off the fire alarms....it's quite the tax.

(Oh, and I'm doing this in small doses. I posted this on my Microsoft Machine)