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| Friday, November 6th, 2009 | | 9:19 am |
Maine...
*emerges from hovel for monthly visit to public posting* *glances at the states of Maine and Washington* *notices others speaking about it* As in the past, I remain inclined to keep my views on the matter partially to myself. I am, to this day, uncomfortable speaking in a semi-public fashion regarding the topic at hand. To those deeply concerned by the events in the state of Maine, I offer my warmest concerns in return and note that the use of public referendums to carefully pattern and alter public perceptions of issues has become something of a twenty-year old tradition in the United States. The aforementioned incident, along with numerous others on various unrelated topics, has led me to question the validity in such practices of actually garnering public opinion on an issue so much as producing a poll-result with just as much bias as any other carefully planned polling by a PAC. It renders any decision made in this fashion politically suspect in my mind, but anyone who knows my views of Dobson and his cronies will know that I have never approved of his tactics, methods or attitudes towards humanity. As I have said, I think I will remain stonily quiet on the matter of Maine, though the disapproval with which I perceive various PACs manipulate public opinion to one side or another through public referendums mounts with each passing election. To those deeply concerned over those events in particular, I will be keeping each of you in my thoughts and prayers this season. It... is not a particularly easy month for any of you, but take solace more in the company of friends and loved ones than in the policy stylings of politicos in forested places. One day... I think I may speak on this matter. Today, however, is not that day. Current Mood:  contemplative | | Wednesday, October 7th, 2009 | | 3:53 pm |
*sighs*
I'm doing well, and not posting as usual... but folks shouldn't really be all that surprised after all these years. For those who use MSN, my commonly used IM method is MSNM - hidagogo@hotmail.com. And on an unrelated note... I am really tired of doing funerals. I'd like to do a baptism again one of these days... or a wedding, or another confirmation... but not another funeral. Current Mood:  tired | | Monday, August 17th, 2009 | | 4:50 pm |
Oooh, thank you all for the comments
I was on vacation this last week, but I did catch y'all's comments over the last two weeks on dieting. Some good stuff, and some of it is stuff I've actually tried to follow through on. I tried something akin to the easy mac, and I've come to agree with those who tried to push me away from those particular foods. They're quick and simple, but in reality not only are they ridiculously high in sodium content (high enough someone without health concerns of sodium would notice, just tasting them... not to mention reading the labels), but they aren't very filling and not helpful at all. Some of the pre-packaged meals seem better suited to a serious diet, but these are less inexpensive and are generally by companies like Healthy Choice, so I'm currently testing these out. They seem to be more solid choices, but as Stephanie is now in Detroit, I believe we are going to be making an effort to do more home-cooked food (She seems to wish to stop by and cook for me. Apparently my dietary habits appall her. ^.~, go figure.). Still, I'm going to have a third and fourth look over the comments and take them to heart. Thanks. --- Unrelated note: GenCon was great. Current Mood:  chipper | | Sunday, August 2nd, 2009 | | 12:48 pm |
Starting today
... ... ... I diet. No, seriously. STOP LAUGHING! I MEAN IT! Yeah, so I'm sick of the antecedent effects of weighing 250-260 pounds. I'll spare you guys the nitty gritty, but I've noticed just enough effects that being my weight has caused me, especially in light of the specific foods that I eat that I will be picking up Weight Watcher meals, Easy Mack and Rice Cakes along with vitamin supplements, fiber supplements and eating at Subway/pizza place I can get a good chef salad without dressing or egg at. I've laready put my secretary on order to assume me no have sweets no more, and Nutrasweet is my friend. Starting in a few weeks, I might even *gasp* exercise... if for no other reason than Stephanie's on my case about us doing it together (which is a good thing, mind you). My god... it's like the apocalypse is coming. --- Unrelated note: Baptism today. ^-^ good day is this. Current Mood: chipper | | Friday, July 10th, 2009 | | 9:32 pm |
...
*blinks* *blinks again* Until today... I had never more than briefly encountered hints of who Sascha Baron Cohen was. I saw a little preview and thought, 'hmmm, self, I imagine this would be a film with a little light extemporaneous humor of a shocking and 'audacious' fashion. Perhaps I shall go see this obviously European farce with a friend when I need to fry a few brain cells. A bit of light shock and some slightly Euro styles of "SURPRISE, YOU'RE ON CANDID CAMERA" types of stuff.' ... That which has been seen cannot be unseen. Leoettiquette... dear... don't watch Bruno. I promise you. You'll hate it. I... well, to be honest, I went in expecting french candid camera films... and I met "Bruno." I am not entirely sure how to react to the film. I sat, hunkered into my seat, leaned back all the way in my 6'3" height next to my french friend visiting for the last week and change watching Sascha parade about as a Euro-trash member of the fashionista, shielding my face partially at more points than I could count. I found myself laughing uncontrollably, my eyes watering with tears as I could not believe just how far it had gone at points. I was intensely uncomfortable throughout the film, more offended than I have ever been in my life on numerous occasions and almost put off of my fast food dinner in the first five minutes of the film. And yet, I could not stop laughing throughout it. I could not stop laughing, wondering how in the hell he was not arrested on numerous points, how many of the poor schmucks being filmed were 'in on the joke' and if it could possibly 'go any further.' Oh wow... my head hurts. I will definitely say that this was one of the most 'memorable' films I have ever seen. Even shielding my eyes at several key points, I cannot say that I have ever encountered a film like this before (I did not see Borat). I cannot even say if I liked it. I cannot universally that I despised it. I'm not sure that I can actually make anything but the following: I may remember segments of this film for the rest of my life. --- I will neither suggest this film be avoided, nor will I suggest this film be watched. All I will say: It is pointedly (and I do mean pointedly) sexually graphic, and universally inappropriate for numerous audiences. Whatever point Sascha is attempting to make, I think people can gather from his preview and walk away comfortably if they will not be able to handle graphic scenery. Quite frankly, you will KNOW if you cannot handle this film within 5-10 minutes of its start. No, I'm serious. You will KNOW if you can actually sit through the film and shield your eyes at points roughly that far into the film. If you have to get up from the seat and walk out of the movie in 5 minutes? It wasn't for you... and run. Don't look back. Run. I have a cast-iron stomach, and this may be up there on material I've seen in my life, and it may have shocked me, but I am what we might refer to as "Doggedly stubborn" at times. For those who can stomach their way through some rather shocking footage at points, who knows? You may get something out of it. I think I'm still too confused to know what to say. Current Mood:  shocked | | Friday, May 22nd, 2009 | | 11:25 am |
*raises an eyebrow*
http://news.yahoo.com/s/politico/20090522/pl_politico/22832What fresh nonsense is this they're trying to swill at us? There's been no such acknowledgment of books that I'm aware of in this fashion in the past. What's the real motivation of starting now... or is this man simply a fool who likes to waste taxpayer time and money on useless resolutions? Current Mood:  sick | | Sunday, April 12th, 2009 | | 12:21 pm |
He is risen!
*chuckles* You know, I threaten to post this swill every now and again, and y'all been askin me all polite for all this time, so I figured I'd post a sermon I did. Now, as you read, here's a couple notes: 1) What ya read's never what I actually preach or say. I tend to start leaving the paper behind after the second paragraph pretty darn quick. I research and type these things out, but really they only prove to be outlines for my study. When I actually preach them, they tend to lengthen and I always find something different each time to talk about with them. In point of fact, I tend to start gettin animated when I really like a sermon idea and just sort of ignore the pages as they go. *blushes* 2) This sermon is a derivation of the "Mustard Seed" Theme from the 2003 Behold the Tree sermon series. We used this one, as I am wont, from my father's treasure trove of prior lenten series. I find he's too good a resource to turn down, and has an excellent eye for which series work well at a given time, so I tend to draw off of them. 3) This was actually the Easter Sunrise sermon. Written for 3 pages, rather than 5, it was meant to be a vignette to cover a quick message, and I was originally going to preach this nice long, drawn out thing on a passage from Isaiah selected for the day later on. However... Five people showed up for Easter Sunrise, and I realized as I was going through that my thoughts in this sermon were so much more coherent than they had been in my original Easter service. It was coming off of the tongue more smoothly, and I wanted to preach this again. I didn't want to preach the other sermon, and realized I could incorporate the Isaiah passage into this one, so I did so and started dragging fragments of that into it, and as I realized it worked, used it instead of the original one for all three services. Folks seemed to like it. All that said, a blessed easter to all of you. The Sermon Text: ( Read more... ) Current Mood: tired | | Friday, April 10th, 2009 | | 3:42 pm |
How dare they...
This... the most holy of weeks, the most sacred of festivals and fellowships, the week of Easter, of Good Friday, of Maunday Thursday and the sacred vigil awaiting the remembrance of my Lord's death and resurrection. This week, the week in which the Christian's eyes are to be focused upon the Cross and Him Crucified, and here I find the legislatures' eyes pointed towards petty games, worthless sneaking of trailers into budget items in the last weeks of their congressional sessions. I find the supposedly Christian FRC spouting their same hackneyed choices of passages and railing like rabid monsters waiting for a witch to burn, dragging good Christians' eyes away from Christ to point them at legal battles between sleazy politicians fighting losing battles and unwilling to stop political games when they have already failed their agenda this year totally and utterly in states such as Iowa. I find the most questionable of behavior being promoted and self-righteous glory-hogging going on throughout my blessed nation, being upheld by supposedly Christian nations, and I find that as the press turns its cameras to them, on this, the highest, most holy day of holy days, the most precious and wonderful and blessed day of every year, THE ONLY DAY I FIND MY JADED HUMAN HEART SHEDDING TEARS AND WEEPING FOR MY SINS THE WAY I FEEL I SHOULD BE EVERYDAY, I find my heart is boiling with a bloody frenzy that these CURRS have done this again. They defile god's house just as badly as they did in Oklahoma with their "Jesus Awareness Week." Their ISSUES are more important than Christ and Him Crucified, more important than their own savior, and the truth of it is written in their words and their deeds. I forgive them, but let it be said "By their fruits you will know them." Those whose hearts are not but ash, and who are focused upon legal one-upmanship in the name of "God's Work" are often questionably Christian themselves. To you Christians out there, go. Ignore these... spectacles. They are the deeds of gutter trash in need of forgiveness and a rethinking of how a Christian is to operate under Caesar's reign, and how they are to proclaim the truth. Go. Tonight is precious. Enjoy the hymns and the traditions of long ago. Enjoy the words spoken from the cross, and may they convict the heart as they were meant to. I intend to purge Dobson's bile from my heart from the midst of the high holy week once again, so that I may worship my God properly. I will not have him defile this night any further than he and his ilk already have. I will weep tonight because that is what it is for. I am in need of a good dose of humility right now, and tonight's services will give it to me in spades. Current Mood:  enraged | | Thursday, April 9th, 2009 | | 2:48 pm |
Easter Week
Blessed Good Friday, Maunday Thursday, Vigil for those who do that service and Easter to you all. Ev, noted your comments on the gossip topic, and yes I think you have a point. I'll think on how to best clear that sort of confusion up in future sermons, though I do feel I stuck specifically to the character assassination elements. Still, good food for thought. On a side note- needless to say... very busy... kinda tired, but still intact. NOS helps a lot, even if I hear my kidneys squeeling for mercy. And why is it that documentary writers call pastors this week of all weeks? | | Wednesday, March 25th, 2009 | | 6:52 pm |
Oooogh
Rule of Thumb at Wednesday Lenten Meals... Do.. not... go... back for thirds... when you not sure... if you have room for seconds... ooogh... good shepherd's pie though. As a side note, did preach a 'whiff of the sulfur last Sunday' about gossiping in the church. Went over ok. We'll see if I can build on the thoughts further. | | Sunday, February 1st, 2009 | | 9:31 am |
| | Saturday, January 31st, 2009 | | 7:07 pm |
Fiance in Town
For those curious why I'm not posting much (This time), Steph is in town, and that does have a lot of my time occupied. ^-^, I do hope all of you are well, and if you're in the north central, do watch out. Nasty cold bugs running around. I'm gargling Salt and Vinegar tonight. Joy. Yay for mom's down-home witch-doctor remedies. | | Sunday, January 11th, 2009 | | 9:43 am |
Heh
One of these days, I'm going to go too far on one of these sermon illustrations. But, apparently "God is not a Pez Dispenser" for Romans 6 (my chosen text today) has gone over acceptably well. ^-^, whew. I was a bit nervous about that one. | | Friday, December 26th, 2008 | | 1:07 pm |
A touch belated...
but a Merry Christmas to all. Hope that your seasons have been pleasant. I, for myself, intend to sleep in a bit, as I can manage. ^.~, it was a busy week as I can guess you'd all imagine. Current Mood: chipper | | Wednesday, December 17th, 2008 | | 1:28 pm |
Random Curiosities...
So, I'm sitting here, having an all-around shitty day, and lo my secretary hands me a card amongst the other crud mailers I get daily. I look at the back and it's from Fresno. Who on earth in Fresno is sending me a card? It's not Greg, my old Pastor in charge... but it turns out that two of the members tracked me down after a few years and sent me a Christmas Card out of the blue. And suddenly? I'm not having a shitty day anymore. ^-^, a nice random gesture from my vicar days. *makes a note to send them a New Years Card* Current Mood:  amused | | Wednesday, December 3rd, 2008 | | 4:10 pm |
| | Saturday, November 8th, 2008 | | 12:53 pm |
This is too Funny
 Now... as a caveat: I voted, like I said, for the other guy and I currently stand by my original decision. However, I'm a WoW player, and this was just too damned funny to pass up. ^-^ Current Mood: amused | | Tuesday, November 4th, 2008 | | 2:44 pm |
The Final Tally
It took a while, and in the end the vote was not based upon individual issues. I found myself utterly disgusted with both of them. John wasn't the man I voted for 8 years ago in the primaries, and Barack wasn't someone I found I could trust sufficiently. I disliked the notion of either in the oval office and was iffy on at least one of the VPs taking over without very solid advisors. It came down to raw numbers and political power. The DNC should, without question, take the Senate this election and hold both houses, possibly with a super-majority in the Senate. Out of old habit, I am a man who dislikes one party in full control due to my general disgust with boths' policies and so here came the votes: John McCain Libertarian Rep & Senator (I didn't bother to read their names. Libertarian Party has been my protest vote for years, and neither Levin brother is seriously contested in MI) Republican House Rep - Forgot his name just now, not looking up. Hoping for some change in a troubled state's fiscal policies, though I did like the predecessor's work in general. Local Government - All Incumbants, All Democrat. Macomb County's very well run. I won't vote down good people on party affiliation. Proposal 1 (Legalization of Medicinal MJ) - Yes. Those who know me well shouldn't be surprised. Proposal 2 (Broad opening of Stem Cell Research) - No. Ditto. Way too broad and uncontrolled. local proposal for Vet benefits - Yes. Simple bill really. I walk away acceptably, but not 100% pleased with my vote. It's been a long time since I was happy with a national vote, and I was a kid when I last did so. We'll see next year. Who knows who'll get elected this. Pray for whichever bum in whichever fashion you feel most appropriate. They need it. Current Mood: chipper | | Sunday, September 28th, 2008 | | 7:54 am |
Welcome to the National Race...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v9DfoVGl76s&feature=relatedWe're a few days late on this one, but a couple comments: 1) Assuming that they aren't incompetent or drop the ball, federal agents should find and prosecute properly the individual who illegally hacked into Sarah Palin's e-mail account. 2) By current Supreme Court rulings, the website will probably not be held liable. 3) Welcome to the national race, Sarah. I have a suggestion. Lose the yahoo account. Don't replace it with MSN, g-mail, comcast, AOL or any other non-secure service. Don't put your personal information, sensitive communications or anything you don't want people to track down in a place that has the protections of swiss cheese. Good god girl, I have people harping on ME for using Yahoo services because it's insecure, and I'm not even running for political office. And you? You are now one of the most publicly visible women in the entire world. Everyone, and I do mean everyone, is watching you. And, guess what? They aren't all ethical. They're not all nice. They don't all like you. They aren't all going to obey the laws of this country. They aren't all going to respect your privacy. And they sure as fuck won't do it if you're elected either. You're green, Palin. You're so green it's painful. You can try to have all the press statements you want saying how shocked your office was that you want. It doesn't change the fact that a 9 year old could have fucking told you. Yahoo isn't secure. It never will be. A vetted senator, representative or governor might not have fallen for this because their advisors would have smacked them for thinking to have a public-access e-mail account with their kids' e-mails on it, much less sensitive information of national or state-level security. Why? Because some joker with a chip on their shoulder was going to hack into that public-access account, steal it and do something inappropriate like jam it onto a website like 4chan. ...oh wait. They did. 4) Here's the good news. The last man who was actually qualified and ready for the national race, much less the second seat to the Oval Office, when they ran for VP was George Bush Senior, and that's subject to debate. Since that time, none of the people have demonstrated that they weren't, in some way, just a bit green for this highly public role. You're not less electable because of this. You still look like the well-dressed, well-spoken, prim and proper little Republican governor you did before this minor fiasco. ...but this still makes you look naive, stupid and unprepared. Still... fuckit... learn from this, you gits. Christ, I expected less brain-dead shit from the Republicans. Honest to god. I kind of expected el security lovers to not make this kind of freshman error. Current Mood:  annoyed | | Wednesday, September 17th, 2008 | | 2:47 pm |
4th Edition D&D
Well, after Rebelowl's comments on the subject, I decided to finally sit down and actually buy the core rulebook and look through it myself, rather than simply taking a few of my fellow players in the area at their word. Having glanced over a variety of sections within the core rulebook, I can say the following: 1) If you're hardcore for the ways things were done, variously, in 2 and 3/3.5e, you're probably not going to be a fan... though it's still possible. The changes are vast and significant to the core system and many things that were almost endemic to the original world-set of a D&D game, such as alignment, have seen significant changes. 2) The system itself, however, is a solid fantasy setting. The templating is actually designed with interchangeability in mind and offers a collection of ways in which characters may be varied in unusual fashions to reflect unusual play styles or particular character types. The game mechanic itself, especially in combat, has been streamlined to a glossy smoothness that I can appreciate. With some cleverness on the part of the GM, 3-D operability actually exists... something I always found to be problematic in prior editions. 3) I think a GM using 4e for a campaign that is not combat intensive, or is prone to extended non-combat encounters should be aware that the majority of the system (as in the past) focuses heavily upon combat/challenge encounters. It is the style of gaming D&D was meant for. In less combat intensive settings, the GM will be doing more legwork to challenge their players and reflect well the abilities of those characters, but still it doesn't seem problematic. As a replacement for 3e, I'm iffy with the system. However, as a stand-alone system on its own for fantasy settings? I actually think that I could get to liking this particular mechanic. Mind you... I'd have to FIND a 4e game first... but that's another matter. Current Mood:  awake |
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