A Steven Wright Sort of a Day

Whenever I just want a smile I like to read Steven Wright quotes… here are a few of my favorites.

My theory of evolution is that Darwin was adopted.

On the other hand, you have different fingers.

Right now I’m having amnesia and deja vu at the same time.

So, do you live around here often?

Some people are afraid of heights. Not me, I’m afraid of widths.

When I was crossing the border into Canada, they asked if I had any firearms with me. I said, “Well, what do you need?”

When I woke up this morning my girlfriend asked me, “Did you sleep good?” I said “No, I made a few mistakes.”

Why is the alphabet in that order? Is it because of that song? The guy who wrote that song wrote everything.

So who makes you grin?

Tradition One – Unity

So last night was tradition night, a discussion of the twelve traditions that go along with the twelve steps. I really wasn’t thrilled about having traditions when it is enough work just to do the steps but I am now realizing why they are there.

Unity is tradition one – the fact the AlAnon group is unified in an effort against a common foe, an uncontrolled life of living with someone who is an alcoholic, whether they be family or friend. I think that includes standing together against a common enemy of trying to control the world around you, something everyone in the group suffers from.

Welp, the group told stories, discussed battles won and lost, and explored heartaches and triumphs from their lives. It is a most interesting experience since I know I am witnessing a form of emotional nudity. No one is clothed in pretense, all come baring their souls, sharing their anger, hurt, hope, dispair, or whatever prevelant emotion is hammering them on this day. No one interrupts. No one judges. No one puts them down. They listen. They tell their own story. They stand unified.

Last night I witnessed this on a whole new level. A person coming off the street, thinking we were a church group so that he could ask for ten dollars for a fix. When he realized we were an AlAnon group, he sat down and worked the program, being honest about his intentions and stating what he really needed was a fix… a fix of coming together with a community who understood his addiction, would not feed it, but instead would help him not give into it. No one judged him, they instead embraced him. No, he didn’t get the ten bucks, but he left smiling and for a moment he left sober.

So this morning I am wondering why it is our other “communities” are not so supportive. The community we work in every day, the churches we worship in, or even our community of family. Aren’t they all full of adversity and challenge? Doesn’t everyone deserve the security and hope of having people surround them to support them instead of judging them?

I’m thinking it is a tradition this whole world needs.

Time is the coin of your life.

Time is the coin of your life. It is the only coin you have, and only you can determine how it will be spent. Be careful lest you let other people spend it for you.
Carl Sandburg

Go Carl! You hit this one on the head and these days it seems I am laying that coin down everywhere. Tonight we start doing taxes for people. Yesterday I received word I lost one of my two volunteers which means I am now going to cover one night a week by myself.

Next week we start a mentoring program for kids who want to go to college and help them fill out FAFSAs, hunt for scholarships, and apply for colleges.

I am pretty sure I now officially have no Saturdays free in February.

United Way proposals kick in during March which gives you weeks of late night and weekend sessions of assessing information, building cases for funding, and wrapping it up in a nice presentation for review.

Toss in three major fundraising events between now and the 4th of July…

I think I need a larger denomination of coin.

Hopefully there will be help soon.

A Harsh Reminder

Friday a young man is in my office discussing his future, his dreams, hashing out his options. He has such great potential and talents the only obstacle in his way is himself. The future looks extremely bright for him.

Saturday he is calling me to tell me his brother was in an accident, not expected to make it. Suddenly the future is forgotten and the here and now has his full attention.

In a blink of an eye our perspective is transformed, our priorities changed.

If you are of the praying mindset, I know he and his family would appreciate your prayers.

An Excellent Song

I’ve been listening to a lot of Nickel Creek lately and this is one of my favorites.

Tomorrow Is a Long Time

performed by Nickel Creek
written by Bob Dylan

If today was not an endless highway,
If tonight was not a crooked trail,
If tomorrow wasn’t such a long time,
Then lonesome would mean nothing to you at all.
Yes, and only if my own true love was waitin’,
Yes, and if I could hear her heart a-softly poundin’,
Only if she was lyin’ by me,
Then I’d lie in my bed once again.

I can’t see my reflection in the waters,
I can’t speak the sounds that show no pain,
I can’t hear the echo of my footsteps,
Or can’t remember the sound of my own name.
Yes, and only if my own true love was waitin’,
Yes, and if I could hear her heart a-softly poundin’,
Only if she was lyin’ by me,
Then I’d lie in my bed once again.

There’s beauty in the silver, singin’ river,
There’s beauty in the sunrise in the sky,
But none of these and nothing else can touch the beauty
That I remember in my true love’s eyes.
Yes, and only if my own true love was waitin’,
Yes, and if I could hear her heart a-softly poundin’,
Only if she was lyin’ by me,
Then I’d lie in my bed once again.

Two Good Flicks and a Song

Saw We Are Marshall and The Freedom Writers last night and I must say both were good movies. Since they are true stories it tends to make them even better and more uplifting.

Freedom Writers really hit home. The kids we serve aren’t in as desperate of a situation as the one in the movie as the gang violence isn’t anything like that of the major cities in California, but we do get our share of negativism and a sense of there is no way out for so many of the youngsters. To see someone beleive in them and help them rise above the expected failure to become literate and to develop dreams beyond “I want to live until I’m 18″ gives a person hope. Like I said, it caught my attention and was just the message I needed.

Last week we had a young girl killed in her bed during a drive by shooting. 3 young men are in custody and are looking at living out lives that are now officially ruined, if they get to live them. They committed this heinous act in a culture of vengence, where no one talks to the police because it would remove their opportunity to strike back. These may not be the streets of L.A. or Long Beach, but they are still dangerous nonetheless creating a sense of angst within the communities.

Last week I suffered another cynical attack when I spent some time before a meeting working puzzles with a bright six year old. She was quick, she picked up on the word recognition almost immediately and was a true joy to listen to and to instruct. Other kids at the table were soon doing puzzles and showing me how good they were at putting them together and pronouncing the words on them. With my whole heart I want everyone of them to beat the street and become viable and contributing citizens in their community but the cynicism strikes and you start to doubt that most will graduate or even secure good jobs.

I realize such doubt and cynicism is the greatest enemy of the kids in the street. It leads to writing them off and looking to put bandaids on gaping wounds. The movie last night was a great reminder that such thoughts have no place in our world and are only good for killing the spirit and the hope of those who need us most.

Do yourself a favor and go see the movie. You won’t regret it.

I wish I knew how to do the whole song bit where you can hear them while you read the post, but I don’t so I will just post these appropriate lyrics.

When In Rome
performed by Nickel Creek

Where can a sick man go
When he can’t choke down the medicine the old doc knows
A specialist came to town, but he stays at home
Sayin’, “No one knows, so I don’t”
Honey, when in Rome

Where can a teacher go
Wherever she thinks people need the things she knows
Hey those books you gave us look good on the shelves at home
And they’ll burn warm in the fireplace
Teacher, when in Rome

Grab a blanket, sister
We’ll make smoke signals
Bring some new blood
It feels like we’re alone

Grab a blanket, brother
So we don’t catch cold
From one another
I wonder if we’re stuck in Rome

Where can a dead man go
The question with an answer only dead men know
But I’m gonna bet they never really feel at home
If they spent a lifetime learning
How to live in Rome

Reggie Rag

Gather ’round my friends and listen clear
‘Cause we got a new dance for you my dear
It’s called the Reggie Rag you know
In honor of him taking all that dough.

Kick those heels, make that flip
Reggie’s family take another dip
For more bucks out of an agent’s bag
Now we’re doing the Reggie rag.

Live rent free in a mansion sweet
Cause we love your hands and feet
As they race to score once more
For ol’ USC and agents galore.

Is it illegal, do we care?
That’s a Heisman he’s carrying there
And don’t forget the championships
Courtesy of Reggie’s elusive hips.

So kick those heels, make that flip
Reggie’s family takes another dip
For more bucks out of an agent’s bag
Now we’re doing the Reggie rag.

As a big fan of college football, situations like these really get to you because it weakens the sport. There is an issue that needs to be addressed as far as compensation for the players who basically can’t work because the sport they play is their work. But for now rules are rules and to put your team’s accomplishments into jeopardy is just insane. I guess I am wondering what happens to the Heisman if he is found guilty. I know the team will be stripped of its championship, but has anyone considered how that will affect Will Farrel? We it make him do another asinine movie? These are consequences we must all consider.

Oh Reggie…

Thursday 13 for 1/25/07

13 Reasons I should be President in 2008

1. I can smooze with the best of ‘em.

2. I can eat almost anything, except liver, lima beans and any pudding that looks like it might have been the result of a really bad cold. I would be able to attend any State dinner.

3. I am from Texas. (Not sure why that matters but it makes me happy to say it.)

4. I am a true believer of the Constitution. I don’t want anyone messing around with it for any reason (and yes, that definitely includes the 2nd Amendment).

5. I am a student of history. I figure I can take the best tricks, uh, I meant methods, of the best presidents and apply them.

6. I don’t know Dick Cheney. I also wouldn’t let anyone go hunting with Dick Cheney.

7. I would have a diversified cabinet. I don’t care about your race, sex, creed, etc. I just care if you can get the job done. As I am not a party man, there would be no agendas of either mainstream party, just the agenda of what is good for America.

8. I would push for more wind energy, solar energy, and tell the oil companies to kiss my hybrid.

9. My foreign policy would fairly easy. If you’re French, forget it. If you’re a true ally, we’ll help you. If you are going to spit on our face, welp, save your own butt.

10. My stance on the war in Iraq is fairly simple.

11. I have four kids who don’t mind challenging me on anything political and cover the spectrum of political thought. I am fairly sure they would keep me straight.

12. My State of the Union addresses would always start with thirty minutes from the Blue Collar Comedy team, just to keep folks interested to hear the important stuff. Might even insert them between points…

13. After four years, I would leave and go fishing, play with grandkids, and pull practical jokes on the SS detail assigned to me. I would only attend important funerals and would promise to stay off CNN, FOX News, and all the Sunday morning news shows.

The Disapproving Song

I worked a charity event last night for my service club and couldn’t help but notice a couple of older folks who were “looking down” at all of the kids coming in and out of the basketball arena. Statements like “did you see her? Pregnant and no wedding ring…” “Well what do you expect?” “Somebody is paying good money so they can act the fool…”

So in their honor, the disapproving song…

Hey, pregnant girl walking
Can’t you hear us talking?
We see your belly hanging low
No wedding ring do you show
You’re just another tragedy
Another social malady.

In judgment we sit mightily
Whispering our gossip spitefully
Pointing our fingers without risk
Shaking our heads, saying “Tsk, Tsk, Tsk.”

Hey young men covered in paint
Covering areas your own clothes ain’t
You play the fool while Daddy pays
I bet you lay around all day
Being another lazy tragedy
Happy to be a social malady.

In judgment we sit mightily
Whispering our gossip spitefully
Pointing our fingers without risk
Shaking our heads, saying “Tsk, Tsk, Tsk.”

Hey kids, you should be like us
Balding and fat, making a fuss
Stuffing our faces while we judge
Wishing someone had brought fudge
But at least we ain’t no tragedy
Or contributing to a social malady.

In judment we sit mightily
Whispering our gossip spitefully
Pointing our fingers without risk
Shaking our heads, saying “Tsk, Tsk, Tsk.”

Judge on my friends, judge on. You’re doing your generation proud.

(Yes, I know writing this post makes me just like them but hey, I sit in judgment mightily, writing my rantings spitefully, pointing my fingers without risk, shaking my head saying tsk, tsk, tsk…”)

Another religious gimmick?

Visited a church this morning with a friend and enjoyed the services but there is one thing that bugged me. In the middle of the sermon, they break away for a commercial promoting a self-discovery ministry called PLACE. Below is the description from their web site.

The P in PLACE is for Personality Discovery. Participants use the unique assessments to discover their Personality based on the DISC model. (Having taken this test and being rated a D, the ol’ dominating personality, then I would assume my “place in ministry” will be dominating other folks. Cool, forget humility, domination is my gift and I need to be using it!)

The L represents Learning Spiritual Gifts. PLACE promotes a scripture-based, 16-gift model using our comprehensive 112 question assessment. (Well, this becomes a little more difficult since there really aren’t any scriptures supporting domination tendencies, so maybe I will re-assess my gifts and go for something fun, like miracle making. We all could use that talent, right?)

The A stands for Abilities Awareness. Here, participants complete an assessment to discover the most effective environment for them to comfortably serve. (I find I work best in a football environment. Can I do all of my ministering at Buffalo Wild Wings with a basket of wings, cold drinks, and a game on the big tube?)

The C is for Connecting Passion with Ministry. PLACE’s unique curriculum helps Christians identify their passions for ministries and people, and discover how they best demonstrate passion. (You should see me at a football game, I get pretty passionate then. Does this mean I need to be spending all of my development at the local stadium? I could sure grow my passion there…)

The E in PLACE deals with Experiences of Life. This session allows individuals to explore the effects of their past experiences and how those experiences play a vital role in finding their place of service. (Hmm, maybe if I did all of this examinating at Buffalo Wild Wings I could really find those life experiences to match my passion. I am thinking I can skip the classes and go straight to BWW and start feeling my gifts grow.)

Okay, I am not much of a gimmick person. I didn’t jump up and slap a WWJD bracelet on or even buy a Tshirt. I sure didn’t buy into the Prayer of Jabez, or even got excited over the 40 Days…

Perhaps if folks would spend more time serving the hurting, poor, hungry, and sick instead of wasting all our time trying to figure out our purpose, our talent, our whatever the hot item is, maybe we would actually make progress in our communities.

Now excuse me, I think I need to go explore my gifts at BWW.