2 more

I'm giving Lost two more episodes. Two more before I make the decision to remain lost with them or get off the island altogether. This season is lacking in so many ways and I believe the storyline is stretching too thin. Can I get an amen? Anyway, they've got two more episodes to convince me to stay on. Why two? Don't know.
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Last week's episode of The Office was pretty great. Dwight Shrute was at a corporate party. He was picking at finger foods when he struck up a conversation with another person.

"Do you watch Battlestar Galactica?" he asks.

"No."

"Well, that's just stupid!" he shoots back.

Amen, Dwight, amen!

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Finally, I've become a huge fan of Alec Baldwin. His work in 30 Rock and The Departed have put him back on the map. In both, Baldwin's deadpan deliveries are right on. He's definitely experiencing a rebirth of sorts in the entertainment business.

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the latest

We had an appointment with Ira's pulmonologist (lung doc) last week. She was pleased with how well he's done this winter. The plan is that we'll see her again in April and when we do, we'll develop a plan for weaning Ira off of the ventilator. If all goes well, if there are no hiccups, if the stars align, if, if, if...then by early summer Ira could be having trial times (starting with 10 minutes and gradually building) where he is completely off the vent! HOLY SHRUTE! Can you believe that?

After our appt with his lung doc we swung up to the NICU to show him off. The nurses were great. They ooohed and aaahed and said all the requisite things like, "He looks great!" and "He's doing so well!" While it did our hearts good to see the NICU staff love on Ira I'm hoping that by seeing the progress he's made encouraged them in their labor as what they do is of incredible importance.

In other Ira news, I have determined that it will be years before Ira ever eats orally. The kid has no idea what to do when food hits his mouth. It's kinda become cute because, well, what else are you gonna do?

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one of these things...

Do you remember that little game and song on Sesame Street:

One of these things is not like the other,
one of these things just doesn't belong.
Can you tell which thing is not like the others
by the time I finish my song?

There are times when I'm in a social situation in which I'm fairly certain I'm the object of that game; that I'm the thing that doesn't belong. I imagine someone bursting out from behind a hidden door and yelling, "Him! It's Him! He doesn't belong!" And at that announcement balloons and confetti are released from the ceiling, horns blow and the host congratulates the contestant. "Good job," the host says, "You win a brand new car!" The contestant nods in appreciation but admits, "Thanks, but it wasn't that difficult. Just look at him. He doesn't belong in this situation. Not at all."

I know, I know. Pretty narcissistic, huh? But am I alone in this? Do you feel this, too, at times?

I leave you with this one of these things is not like the other challenge. Good luck:



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the next Von Trapps?

Click to Play

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best movie of '06?

What film should win best picture and why?

1) Babel
2) The Departed
3) Letters from Iwo Jima
4) Little Miss Sunshine
5) Queen

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On another note, a friend of mine found this survey on the web. Take the challenge and see how big your ecological footprint is on this world. Me? I'm a size 13 which means we would need 2.9 planets if everyone lived as I did. Ugh!

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make them public

A majority of Americans are in support of capital punishment. It's been said by a professor who is a retributivist advocate of the death penalty that we should make executions public. He says specifically, "My view is that executions should be public, that we should take responsibility for what we do. If we can't face it, we should abolish it."

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not feeling it

Do you know that feeling you have when something big like a deadline or a test or an event is just around the corner but you aren't quite prepared? Those days leading up to that something big are heavy days where the weight of the thing can't be seen but can definitely be felt. Those days leading up to the something big seem to drag on so as to make you completely aware of your unpreparedness. As those days drag on there is nothing you can do to get ready or prepare because the weight has you anchored into a state of worthlessness.

That's what I've felt like today as the Lenten season draws near. I'm not prepared for it. I'm feeling particularly selfish these days and have no desire to give anything up whatsoever. And to spend focused time, intentional time with God in the midst of a fast doesn't sound appealing either. I'm just not feeling it.

I've fasted during Lent before. I know that it's good for my soul. I know that in the end it's refreshing. I know that my ministry seems inspired when I partake of this season's opportunities. I know all this but still, I'm just not feeling it.

But if I waited until I was feeling it, if I waited until I was ready to take on the tasks of Lent then I would be waiting for a long time. Giving up something you love and filling that void with intentional time with God is difficult. Digging in and working the Lenten season is no easy undertaking. And so I'll drag myself and the weight of it all into the season on Wednesday hoping that my selfishness and lack of desire can be replaced with an awareness of what God has done for the whole world.

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explain to me this

Why, WHY, are people watching Grey's Anatomy? WHY?

and,

Why, WHY, do I cry every time I catch an episode of Extreme Home Makeover? WHY?

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i will not concede!

There is much I have given up, linguistically speaking, since living in NYC. I hardly ever say y'all, I call carbonated beverages soda and I've just about lost my accent. (Though that's up for debate, so I've been told.) But what I can't get used to is the phrase people here in NYC use when referring to standing in line as one might do while waiting his/her turn at the grocery store. See? Even in trying to describe the phrase I use it as I've always heard it - standing in line. Here they say, "Are you standing on line?" or "Next on line, please." or "Are you on line?" or "You must stand on line and wait your turn like everyone else." For some reason, this phrase on line drives me crazy.

Well I'm not having it. Nope. No way. No longer. I've lived with it for three and a half years. I'm going to organize a rally in Central Park in order to protest the use of the phrase on line. We will (I'm sure there are many others here in the city who feel the same way I do!) encourage our city council to ban any use of that phrase while in stores, etc. We will push for legislation at the state level that will incriminate any who dare utter those words while waiting their turn! And we will take this to the higher branches of our US government hoping to forever instill a sense of dignity to the ritual that is standing in line! Yes, I can see the rally happening now!

Now if you'll excuse me I have to go wait on line to get my permit to hold such a rally.

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Happy VDay

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meekness gets you nowhere in this city

There's this guy. His name was Jesus. He once said that the meek will inherit the earth. I'm fairly certain Jesus didn't have the modern city in mind when he made that proclamation.

Meekness isn't going to get you on the F train at the Bergen St stop during rush hour. Meekness isn't going to get you a table at Whole Foods in Union Square during lunch. Meekness won't get you to your appointment on time while walking the crowded avenues. Meekness won't get you the apartment you want in a city where vacancies are rare. Meekness doesn't bode well while driving on the FDR or West Side Highway.

So I'm hoping Jesus has a set of alternative beatitudes for city folk because, frankly speaking, meekness gets you nowhere in this city.


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So Say We All

Can I get a shout-out for Battlestar Galactica? Probably not, right? I'm guessing that BSG isn't as popular as, say, chick flicks. (Dude, 22 comments?) Anyway.

I know what you're thinking.: "Sci-fi isn't for me." But this isn't just any 'ol sci-fi. It's not just a bunch of futuristic toys trying to shoot up robots. It's sci-fi that incorporates current world issues into its story lines. It's sci-fi that attempts to delve into deep theological matters.

For those of you who claim some kind of spirituality but aren't watching Battlestar Gallactica - Shame on you! Some of the best theological material out of Hollywood can be seen/heard in BSG. Check it out today. You won't be sorry.

By the way, you know someone is cool when they wear a shirt like this.

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confessions

For those of you who hold high standards with regard to the cinema you'll be disappointed to know that Laura and I sometimes take in so-called chick flicks. You might even be more disappointed that we sometimes like these low-brow attempts at film.

I'll understand if this is reason enough for you to discontinue reading my blog but until you've curled up on the couch on a rainy day and plopped in Sleepless in Seattle with a tub of popcorn then don't be so quick to knock it. Got it?

For those of you who share in this confession with me let's discuss the following: What is the best chick flick out there? Who would you want to see (of our current Hollywood folk) come together to make a chick flick? And finally, surely there's a better name we can call this genre of film. After all, I'm not the only guy who can appreciate them. Am I? Please? Anyone?

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the end of us

There is an apartment complex here in Brooklyn that was sold to investors for 1.3 billion dollars. Yep, 1.3 billion. Granted, the apartment complex is huge (it includes its own schools, shopping area, etc.) but 1.3 billion? Have I mentioned that it cost the investors 1.3 billion dollars?

The article tells of how this deal shows just how "exuberant" the real estate market is here in the city. The article goes on to say that "the city is in the midst of a seven-year-long housing boom, yet vacancies remain very low and rents are spiking."

This will be the death of us. And if it's the death of us - a family that makes a decent wage - what will become of people who don't make a decent wage?

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just curious

Where you're from is it

curse or cuss?

Pepsi or Coke?

Heineken or Coors?

24 or Lost?

Larry The Cable Guy or Dave Chappell?

pro sports or college sports?

politics in public or politics in private?

religion in public or religion in private?

You obviously can interpret the word where any way you like. For example, it could refer to just your home or your immediate circle of friends or your neighborhood or your town/city or your county or state...etc.

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a sign of the apocalypse?

Texas A&M is ballin'. No, I'm not talking about football or baseball. I'm talking basketball. They are the first Big 12 South team to win at Kansas's Allen Fieldhouse this past Saturday and they easily beat Texas last night. A&M has won 21 consecutive home games and looks to be a legitimate top ten contender.

This news begs the question, Is this just a fluke season or is it the end of the world as we know it?

Or is there another option like, say...(dare I mention it?)...that A&M could be turning into a legitimate basketball school?

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faces of Ira

I came home to these faces and more. It's good to be home.





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howdy

I'm going to catch my plane back to bklyn this morning. Sophia will stay behind with my mom and dad. It will take me at least a week to clear my system of Texan slang and accent and about a month to clear my system of fried foods.

But don't let me fool you. I had an absolute wonderful time conversing with family and old friends and eating delicious food.

more to come...

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snow + no hills = no good

Sophia walked out of our apartment in Bklyn at 9:30 a.m. eastern time. We walked through my mom and dad's doors in Tahoka at 11:30 PM central time. Fifteen hours of travel time. Why the long trip? Because a few snow flakes fell in Dallas and we all know that D/FW has absolutely no understanding of how to deal with cold weather. Ugh.

Oh well, now we're here and settled in. There has to be at least three to four inches of snow on the ground and Sophia's excited. We haven't seen any significant snow in Bklyn this winter. While Sophia is excited about the snow possibilities (I don't have the heart to tell her there are no hills for sledding) she's currently prancing around in a princess outfit that my mom got her and loving every minute of it.

It's only been 24 hours but I've concluded that I really miss only four things from home:
1) Laura
2) Ira
3) Jersey the dog
4) our multiple Purell dispencers

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