Take Two

Image by Getty Images via Daylife

I would like to drop this gem on every news pundit covering Sarah Palin, John McCain, and Republicans everywhere.

You might do well to remember that everyone between Fifth Avenue and Hollywood Boulevard did not just step off the cast of Hee-Haw twenty minutes ago.

Nothing motivates a base like insult and condescension.  If you’ll excuse me, I need to go cling to my guns and God.

First Day of School

Originally uploaded by ryaninmtv

Today was Gabrielle’s first day of school. I was on the road today so I had to call her and get an update. All I got from the call was that she had lots of friends and she was going to beat me when I got home.

I appreciate a succinct message.

Sister Elms has now seen my sister and brother-in-law more this year than me.  Sheesh.

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Tonight I got to drive a church van and pick up kids for Junior Youth.  It was one of the coolest things I have ever gotten to do.  It is easy to forget about the “end user” when you are spending your time on the platform or staying busy with grown up things.  I am thankful for the opportunity to impact the lives of these kids (and occasionally their parents).  Lord, help me to keep my priorities straight.

Happy Wednesday all.

Little known fact, my initial major in college was Political Science.  I wanted to eventually go to law school and become a mover/shaker in the political establishment.  Yeah, that didn’t work out so well so I became a nurse. No complaints here.

I mention that because I have effectively reached the boiling point on politics a full two months ahead of the election.  I really can’t stand it any more.  To recap the news as I’ve heard it: Obama and Palin have too little experience.  McCain and Biden have been in Washington so long they’re both part of the problem.  One family is worse than the other.  Fling mud, see what sticks.  Honestly, I really can’t take it anymore.  It has even bled into my joy of joys, Twitter (which I have now not used for over 24 hours.  Trust me, this is a miracle).  Is this really the way we want to choose the chief executive of our country?

I am a pretty faithful user of American Airlines, Hilton Hotels, and Avis Car Rental.  I use them not because I am in love with them but because they are utilitarian and get the job done that I need done.  I appreciate that American does not advertise that US Airways wrecks more planes or Marriott hotels are cockroach infested or Hertz cars break down in the middle of no where.  They sell their strengths, not the competition’s weaknesses.

I have not seen three advertisements in the last month promoting ideas, policies or solutions or either candidate- just how awful the opposition is.  Again, is this the best way to pick the leader of the free world?  I really don’t think so.

Image by Getty Images via Daylife

Labor day traditionally marks the end of summer (although I think most schools are back in the swing before then).  I had a great few days off with minimal blogging and very little work.  We did some fund raising with the church (note, if you’re going to do manual labor, don’t try to get it all in two days).  Last night, we had a cook-out with our neighbors of ten years.  We have never had a meal with them although we see each other all the time and our kids interact (their son and our son are inseperable).  It was very nice to sit out in the yard and enjoy some burgers and such.  As a bonus, the weather was ideal yesterday.

The church/work balance shifts at this time of years as well.  Summer is very church busy (with camp and such) and work is usually slower (although not the case this year).  In the fall, there’s not much going on with church outside of a couple of board meetings and conference.  On the work front, it is a sprint from Labor Day to Thanksgiving.  Normally court dates, mediations, and things that require me to travel happen in that time frame.  I looked at my calendar yesterday and it didn’t appear to have a single open week between now and the end of November.  We’re blessed to be quite busy when so many businesses have had a slowdown. It puts the travel and such in a different perspective.

The only thing bad about today is that I’m going to think it’s Monday all day.  Fortunately, I’m closer to Friday than I think.

I am still here but doing very little online as I enjoy this four day (well, three and a half) weekend.  We spent the last two days at the Millersport Sweet Corn Festival with our church.  It is a major fund raiser which supports, SOC, SFC, Missions and the building program.  I have been taking prescription level Advil and lots of coffee.  This is a good thing.

I’ll be back with more regular posts on Tuesday.  Enjoy your Labor Day!

Since it’s Friday as far as I’m concerned (making it a four day weekend) and Saturday begins my favorite time of the year, here’s a little something to get your motor going.

Go Bucks!

more animals

And her computer problems today.  LOL Cats make it all better.

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Excellent article today from the New York Times on people who move to the city and are either assimilated or broken.  As readers of this blog know, I do a significant amount of time in New York from my first trip last year to the most recent one a couple weeks ago, I have visited the city 13 times in the last eighteen months.  Side note- I’m going to be back there on September 8-10 and have already made great restaurant reservations.

The story notes that with each subject, there was a moment when they discovered that New York either was or wasn’t for them.  For most, it was when they discovered they had “gone native” for lack of a better term.  For me, that moment was in November (which was my sixth or seventh trip).  I noticed that I didn’t need the subway map, wasn’t worried about hailing a cab, and could give directions to tourists.  I also noted that my pace went up, my manner went down, and I needed to chill a little when I got back to the great middle west.  If you’ve every gone to New York, you will agree that it operates on a completely different tempo from any other city.  Like my former pastor Scotty Teets says, I love it and hate it at the same time.  I can’t wait to leave and can’t wait to get back.  Yep, that pretty much sums it up.

If it’s possible to be a mid-western New Yorker, that would be me.