I can't believe I waited so long...

Today after breakfast, a friend and I both decided to venture over to the West Shore Farmers Market. We've both lived in the area for several years but had never been to this market. In a word, this place is awesome.

Fresh fruits, vegatables, meats, cheeses and baked goods. All there and ready for your consumption. I was actually excited to see all the different varieties of stuff available. There were two different cheese vendors who probably had more than 50 different varieties between them. It was at one of these vendors where I tried goat cheese for the first time. I can manage that, but I'll need a rather salty cracker to balance the rather odd taste it has. They also had the meat vendors selling all manners of meat from lamb to turkey to pheasant to pork to chicken. In addition, they had multiple booths offering baked goods in the forms of cookies, breads, bagels, sticky buns and pies. AND, they had a place serving some real good gelato.

All this to say, the West Shore Farmer's Market is worth checking out (if for nothing else then the butterscotch oatmeal cookies). But bring your wallet. Because fresh costs money.

Friday Fun IV

This one's very important. From what the tv tells me.

How to French Kiss

French kissing is similar to another French invention: Champagne. A little bit will make you giddy but too much can lead to trouble.

Steps:
1. Remember that French kissing can quickly unhinge passions. Start with gentle pecks and tongue-free kisses as you get to know someone.
2. Lean toward your date with your head tilted slightly to avoid bumping noses. Men may put wrap their arms around a date's waist; women may wrap their arms around a date's neck.
3. Make eye contact as you lean toward one another but close your eyes as the lips meet. Inadvertent eye-contact mid-kiss can be quite awkward.
4. As you lean in for the kiss, have your lips parted ever so slightly and inhale through your mouth to heighten the senses and to avoid breathing on your date.
5. Allow your lips to brush against each others to create light, feathery kisses. Keep the tongue in your mouth initially.
6. As the kiss warms up, allow your tongue to flicker onto your date's lips. Don't let your tongue linger - keep the flickers quick and gentle.
7. If your date responds in kind, let your tongue extend back toward his or her tongue. Keep the movement light and gentle - tongue wrestling is a no-no.
8. Breathe through your nose as your tongues touch playfully and sensually.
9. Lose yourself in the moment: give complete attention to the kiss. If your mind is on anything else, you're missing out on the fullness of the moment.
10. End the kiss. French kissing can get messy if continued without breathers. Take time to nuzzle necks, nibble ears or whisper sweet nothings before diving in for another kiss.

Overall Tips:
Fresh breath is essential. Avoid smelly foods (garlic, brie cheese, corn chips) beforehand. Freshen up with a mint or gum, making sure to dispose of the gum before kissing.

Some people find it helpful to practice French kissing on ice cream. It's a chilly but effective way to practice tongue flickers.

Read your date's body language to ensure a French kiss would be welcomed. Holding hands and gentle brush-ups during the date are good signs.

There is no single right way to French kiss. Kissing is as individual as the people doing. The most important thing is to be true to yourself, your date and the moment

Dare. Double Dare. Physical Challenge.

As we prepare to say adios to 2005 and hola to 2006, I have a question for you. Are you who you want to be? If the answer is yes, then please continue and persevere in whatever you are doing. But if the answer is no, then I would challenge you to develop an action plan that will get you closer to where you want to be. And I would encourage you to continue working at it, no matter how difficult it may seem. Be committed.

Multimedia Wednesday

I can't exactly recommend any of the films in the Final Destination franchise. But check out what they do with a roller coaster in the third one.

I actually like the preview for Over the Hedge. But I may be biased. But if you haven't seen it in the theater, you don't know why.

Superman Returns. Where he's returning from? I don't know.

And if you haven't seen the Lazy Sunday video yet, do so post haste.

The Family Tree

This is our family tree. It has been the tree that we have used for probably the past 10-15 years. Before that, we had one other tree. So we've owned two Christmas trees in the 30 years I've been alive.

As you may guess, our tree is artificial. I know that many people abhor artificial trees. But I'm sure just as many people abhor using live trees. They both have their pros and cons. The artificial tree, you choose only once. There is no bark, sap, or needles to worry about. Conversely, you don't get to pick it out every year and you don't have the fresh Christmas tree smell. The real tree, you choose every year. You can get a different style tree every year (short, fat, tall, etc..) if you choose. It has the smell. But you have to water it. And sometimes, it dies. But then you can use it for firewood.

I personally like our artificial tree. I like knowing that the tree is going to pretty much be the same every year. That it requires no maintenance. It's dependable. It's familiar. Perhaps if I grew up in a fresh tree tradition, I would miss the December ritual of picking out an "ideal" tree. But I didn't. And I'm sure that those who pick out live trees would probably gag at having to pick out an artificial tree.

All that to say, I really wish that I wouldn't have cut off the top of the Christmas tree in that photo.

2006 Goals

Okay, so here's what I'm shooting for:

1. Lose 15 pounds.
2. Go to a Red Sox game at Fenway.
3. Learn to speak another language.
4. Memorize scripture.

I'm not trying to be super ambitious this year, so hopefully that will help me accomplish stuff.

Joyeaux Noel!

I've been thinking about Christmas. Lots of things really. All Christmas-related.

I don't think that you realize how much you miss something until it's gone. In this particular instance, I'm referring to Christmas carols or hymns. I attended Christmas Eve service at a church other than my own. It was rather different. They sang songs differently and other songs were played differently. And when I say different, I should just say non-traditional. After the service I actually considered going to the second service at my church. But we didn't get out of the parking lot on time. Now I'm sure lots of folks at the church where I attended service really enjoyed that Christmas Eve service. I won't knock that. But, when I attended service this morning at my service, I really enjoyed it. And the organ was cranked this morning.

Then there's Christmas traditions. We all have them. On Christmas Eve we do this. Christmas morning, we do this, then that. These sorts of things are very important. So important, that I was talking with a friend this morning, she mentioned that in marriage counseling, their counselor suggested that they decide before getting married, with whose family they would be celebrating holidays like Thanksgiving and Christmas with. And I wonder to myself, where will I compromise? I really don't want to give up any of my traditions. But I suppose that one of the key components in marriage is compromise. So I'll compromise.

And finally Christmas itself. I've heard Luke 2 read three times over the past 24 hours. And I have to admit, I don't think it ever gets old. Christ coming to earth, in not quite a blaze of glory, to save me. And you.

Here's Johnny..

Please remember

This Christmas season, please pray for those families who have lost loved ones, especially in the past year. All holidays are tough, but Christmas seems to be especially tough, with all the memories associated with it. Thanks.

My expertise

As I was musing about what I could prattle on about today, I thought I would talk about something that I'm an expert in. What's that you say, I'm an expert in something? Certainly. I am an expert in the sinful life.

As dreadful as that sounds, I'm really quite accomplished. Wanna know my secrets? In a nutshell, it's all about me. I do what I want to do, when I want, with whomever I want. Lying is pretty easy. You just say something that's not true. If possible, slant it so that it makes you look good. That always helps. Cheating is easy too. If I have to use a little "elbow grease" to make things happen for me, I can. Slander just kinda rolls off my tongue. Did you hear what she was doing the other day? Lusting is as easy as turning on the television and letting my mind wander. And jealousy? Whoo boy. Of course I want what everyone else has. I want a wife and a good-paying job. I want to be popular. The guy people want at their parties.

I am so good at sinning, it's not even funny. And it's not. I am in a constant struggle with my sin nature. We all are. Because we're sinners, it is so easy for us to slip back into those old familiar sinning shoes. Every day requires prayer and vigilence so that I don't slip. And I do still slip. But I also find that the more I fix my eyes on Jesus and the less I focus on the things of this world, my urge to sin decreases. Coincidence?

How'd I do?

So once again, it's time for the year-end goal review, where I take the goals I set for 2005 and see whether or not I met them. We had seven goals this year...

1. Run a 10k road race - This didn't happen. I had a hard time working up to running a six-mile race. However, I would like to point out that I'm still running. But that wasn't the goal now, was it?
2. Learn how to dance - I can now waltz, rhumba and mambo. While I wanted to learn more, I'm still going to count this goal as met. But I want to learn more.
3. Travel to Europe - Almost happened. But almost doesn't count except in...
4. Volunteer 100 hours - Didn't happen. I think I got about 40 hours or so in.
5. Learn how to cook something besides rice - I've made slight progress here, but nothing I would consider substantial. So I'm going to say no.
6. Learn how to sail - Wasn't in the budget.
7. Go to a Red Sox game at Fenway - Had the opportunity, and missed out. Same thing may have already happened for next season. But I hope not..

Next Tuesday, my 2006 goals.

Me talking Football (American)

Well, first of all, how bout those Redskins? They beat the Cowboys TWICE this year! That is unbelievable. I am quite pleased however, that things seem to be clicking in place a bit more. There is still a long road to the playoffs which involves us exacting revenge on the Giants for the 36-0 pasting we took earlier this season. That will be tough, with Tiki Barber running all willy-nilly for over 1500 yards this season. But if we can somehow create the same sort of pressure that we did against Dallas, we might have a chance.

And on a Redskins-related note, I found this to be terrific.

In other football news, the Colts lost. The Chargers never let up on defense and forced Peyton out of any rhythm he might have had. So now the Colts have something to work on this week. Because the Colts lost, yesterday was the first Monday that the Colts had to work on all year (a win means Mondays an off-day). And while the Colts shouldn't have as many problems with Seattle this weekend, they still have Shaun Alexander to deal with.

As the Colts kept on winning, there was a lot of attention on their quest to finish the regular season undefeated. The Miami Dolphins did it in '72 and the Colts had a chance to do it this year. What really bugged me is that in conversations with most of the Dolphins, they did not want to see the Colts succeed. Those guys seem to cling to their piece of history like it's the only accomplishment that they can take pride in. I find that kind of sad. But I suppose we humans like to cling to our accomplishments, however trivial they may be.

And Brett Favre has had a good run. But he needs to get out. Now. I can't watch him play anymore. It's like watching your dog go blind. It hurts. But he too, has a lot pride. So he'll probably play through the rest of the season. For better or for worse...

Unexpected Suprises

I received this little bag of goodies yesterday from one of the little girls who participates in the kids service I help with at church. Completely unexpected.


How cool is that? It's very cool.

The Purple Pimpernel

A prize to anyone who can tell me what movie features the above flower. And you can't use the internet.

Here's an odd trailer I found on the old internet this morning.

We are now just over a week away from Christmas. I have taken care of 70% of my Christmas shopping, and I hope to knock out most of the rest this weekend. I always take great delight in shopping for others. Unlike some of my colleagues, I don't consider it a chore. Every year I sit back and try and figure out what I can get them that's a little bit different. I'm not necessarily setting out to top myself every year, but I do look to be creative. Sometimes I'm able to succeed and sometimes I'm not.

And I don't give gifts just because it's Christmas. I give because I love. And while I try to show love all throughout the year by words and deeds, Christmas is an opportunity for me to provide a tangible gift. And while my budget limits the number of gifts I can actually purchase, I would buy lots more if it was permissible.

Christmas is not about presents. I know I don't have to tell you that, but after writing the prior two paragraphs, I feel I need a disclaimer. God gave us the gift of His Son. Lot of folks refer to it this time of year as "the Greatest Gift of All." And it's true. But despite all the commercialism that now surrounds Christmas, in my heart, it's always going to be about Him.

I love meetings

In my office, we had a little meeting today. The CAO of our parent company was in town from Tempe, AZ. He did a little presentation and did a little Q&A. I was struck by how many people were concerned about losing their jobs. And as I was sitting there, I began to think about why I wasn't concerned. It is my job after all. I noticed that the people asking the questions were a little older than I was. And I got to thinking that they probably had a mortgage or kids to worry about and they needed the money pretty badly.

But then I thought, I need the money too. I have obligations to meet. So why don't I feel concerned? I know it's because I have a peace. That whatever happens, God will provide. I don't know how, but he will. And that's a good feeling.

Only 11 more days..

Well, tomorrow is Thursday. And as par for a Thursday in December, It's going to snow. I would like to go on the record and say that the six or seven inches that we got last week will suit me till Spring. However, Winter hasn't even arrived yet. I'm concerned.

Here's the trailer for Poseidon. Keep in mind that it doesn't have Ernest Borgnine in it, so don't be disappointed when you don't see him.

And here is the trailer for The DaVinci Code. Apparently it's based off of a book of some sort. And Gandalf is in it. But he doesn't carry a staff.

Hey, if you get a chance, get out to see some live music performed this holiday season. All sorts of stuff going on in your neighborhood. They even have a singing Christmas tree in Hershey. I think it's a tenor. So get out there!

I did it

I applied for this position. They didn't ask for any experience, so I applied.

More information as it becomes available.

Old Gloves

This past weekend, the roommates from Fry, D section, got together. It was, in three words, "a good time." As the planner of this event, I was happy to see things come together relatively smoothly. But there was more.

It's hard to describe the joy and the energy that fills a room when old friends get together. It's exciting to be able to catch up with people and at the same time, harken back to our college days. The days of communal showers, pillow polo and Pop's Pizza. All forgettable, yet unforgettable. We all had our share of other roommates who didn't quite live up to our expectations, whether it was because of their lack of hygiene, their lack of consideration, or just the fact that they seemed a bit odd. But our common denominator, is that we spent a year living together. We threw tootsie rolls at each other. We watched campus movies in the living room. Some of us put holes in the walls. We had good times.

And those good times are what bring us back. Because if we didn't have good times, we really wouldn't want to see each other. But we did, and we do. And that my friends, is a blessing. Thanks to everyone who showed up. Until next time..

Movie Review - The Lion, The Witch and The Wardobe

So I went to see the movie of the year. As you may have read, I was a little concerned about how the book would translate to the big screen.

Here's the bottom line (in the middle): It's a good movie that honors the themes of the book. As a devout reader of the books, I noticed what was added and what was omitted. However, speaking in a general sense, the movie did what it needed to.

For those who haven't heard, The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe opened this past weekend. As a big CS Lewis fan, I was very much looking forward to this movie. But I was concerned as well. I think anybody would be concerned if one of their favorite stories was being made into a movie. But as I said, the movie was good. I thought they did a brilliant job casting the Pevensie children, especially Georgie Hensley, who played Lucy. I thought she was great. I also liked Professor Kirke. I felt that they did a good job on the CGI front with the beavers, Maugrim and his platoon, and the others. I enjoyed the scenery and I liked the way they built up the beginning of the story. The book opens with the children arriving at the Professor's house, but the movie did a nice unintrusive back-fill. That's all the things I liked (which I can recall). Now for what I didn't like (please note: I won't comment on inconsistencies with the book, just general dislikes).

I didn't like the White Witch's castle. That's it. Another day I may talk about the inconsistencies, but not today.

So if you haven't seen this movie, please go see it. If you've seen, call me and we'll see it again. I'm giving this movie a "9.5."

Here's a survey, which asks rather odd questions to assign you a character from the the movie. I don't know how, but hey, it's on the internet.

Visualizing Spare Oom

Okay, so there's this big movie arriving in theatres today. A movie that some of us have been waiting a long time for. I'm excited, but I'm also concerned.

I'm concerned about what they're going to do the story. If anyone has seen the trailers, you've seen what animals the White Witch uses to pull her sledge. That wasn't in the book. I know they are going to take more creative license then perhaps is necessary, so I will probably struggle with the fact the movie will not be faithful to the book.

But of more concern to me, is the actual prospect of seeing this story come alive. That sounds vague I know, so let me explain. Ever since I first read these books in elementary school, I have created Peter, Aslan, King Caspian, Reepicheep, Bree, the Marshwiggle and other characters IN MY MIND. If you asked me what Reepicheep looks like, I'll tell you he looks a lot like Ralph from the Runaway Ralph books. I'll tell you that I envision Bree to look somewhat like a Clydesdale. However, I feel that my imagined characters will disappear once I see the movie. Tumnus the fawn has already been mostly lost as he has been prominent in all the trailers. My fear is that once I see what has been created on the screen, that will replace what's been in my mind all these years. And that kinda saddens me.

I suppose that is the price of progress. I'm excited that this movie has made it to the big screen so that a ton more people, children especially, will be exposed to this series. Nothing would delight me more to have a generation of children raised with these books, as opposed to whatever passes today as children's literature. So I am willing to accept the compromise required in bringing these books to the big screen. It will be hard not to complain, and find fault with the movies, but I'll try not to.

Good stuff

This article is about the Lewis family, who've packed up their stuff and moved to New Orleans to help with Katrina recovery. West Shore represent!

Genius!

I just made the best cup of hot chocolate at work. Ever! I normally use the old Swiss Miss powdered mix, which I found okay. However today, I got crazy. I chopped a fun-size Three Musketeers bar and mixed it in with my hot chocolate. And it is good. If you try this at home (and I recommend that you do), make sure you put in the candy before you pour in the hot water. That's key for maximum meltage and dissolution.

Something to think about this season

This is from Reflections for Ragamuffins, by Brennan Manning

The Grace of Christmas

In the face of pessimistic appraisals that we have nothing going for us anymore, Christmas says that we have everything going - Jesus, the journey, and the dream. Richard Rohr says "The Christian never loses, because he has nothing to lose."

My brothers and sisters in Christ Jesus, if you have been struck by the grace of Christmas, if the Lord in His mercy has given you the courage to accept acceptance, if you are convinced that Christmas is the decisive breakthrough of the passionate love of God in Jesus, if you trust that God is faithful to his promises, that he will finish what he began, that amazin' grace is at work right now, that you have only checked into the hotel of earth overnight and you are enroute to the heavenly Jerusalem, then in the immortal words of John Powell, "Please notify your face!"

On the other hand, if you have not been struck by the grace of Christmas, ask for it and it will be given...

Hilarious!

This would be the complete opposite of the prior post.

Atrocious

That's what this is. Call me old-fashioned, but that's going to be trouble. Pay close attention to the very last sentence in the article.

X cubed

Teaser trailer is up for X3 (or whatever it's being called). Looks better then the first two, IMHO.

Because I Like You

Here's a coupon for 20% off at Borders this week.

Friday Fun III

More good 'ol fashioned how-to love tips from the internet:

How to Know if Someone is Romantically Interested in You


1. Pay attention to your conversations with the person in question. Does this person show a special interest in having a conversation with you and, once started, make an effort to keep that conversation going?

2. Is this person "accidentally" running into you in places where he or she knows you will be, such as at your desk? At the Laundromat on Tuesdays? At your brother's birthday party?

3. Make a note if he or she mentions future plans to spend time with you: "That band is coming to town soon. We should really get tickets."

4. Spend time alone together. Canceling other plans in order to be with you longer, or not finding excuses to leave, could be a sign of interest.

5. Has he or she been calling for random reasons, such as, "I was wondering if you knew what that pizza place down the street is called," followed by, "Are you hungry?"

6. Does the person you're wondering about just plain smile at you a lot?

7. Has this person taken a sudden interest in your life and hobbies? This is a sure sign that he or she is interested in something - and it's probably not your stamp collection.

8. Observe how the person acts around your friends - he or she might be extra friendly to your closest pals for a reason.

9. Sometimes seeing someone you have a crush on results in telltale physiological signs. Does the person in question blush when you look at him or her? His or her sympathetic nervous system is probably going into overdrive. Does he or she have trouble speaking, using jumbled words when talking to you?

I'm in the mood

Currently listening to Acapella Christmas on Itunes. If you don't have iTunes, check out the Radio365 link here.

I would like to go carolling. Does that sound fun to anyone else (Don't answer that OWAC)? Strolling through the borough, singing "Hark! The Herald Angels Sing." That would be good stuff.

They are planning on having some strolling minstrels at church the next few Sundays. And we have these huge Christmas trees in the atrium now.

I hope to knock out a bit more Christmas shopping this weekend. I'm kind of hanging back because I'm still expecting some big-time sales to come through in the next couple of weeks. Although I don't know if nose-hair trimmers are the type of item that ever goes on sale..

Seven days till spare oom...

Ack-nowledge

I was meditating on this verse this morning:

Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and he will direct your paths. - Proverbs 3:5-6

What struck me was the phrase "in all your ways acknowledge Him." The word acknowledge can be defined as "expressing recognition of." So read it like this "In all your ways, express recognition of Him, and He will direct your paths." This I find interesting. We're not just limited to acknowledging him on church days and when we pray. But also when we speak, when we work, when we're having fun, when we're not having fun, when it's snowing, and when the sun is shining. Acknowledging Him and his Lordship has to be as routine as breathing.

Sounds simple, huh?

Movie Review - Pride and Prejudice

Over my long weekend, I had the opportunity to take in the latest Kiera Knightly vehicle, Pride and Prejudice. I have never read the book and I had never seen any of the other prior film and/or television versions. However, the story conjures up strong emotions in my small group. Both from pro-Pride people and anti-Pride people. And while I was blissfully ignorant of what they were speaking of, I was intrigued. Because the anti-Pride seem to have really strong feelings on the subject. So I went to the movies.

It was a good movie. I knew enough beforehand, to know that it was a love story. And to be honest, I was expecting something of a syrupy, sweet nature. But I was mistaken. It was a smart and witty love story. For those who were in the dark like me, the story revolves around the Bennett family, their five daughters (I think there were five), and the efforts put forth to marry them all off. Brenda Blethyn, who played the role of the matriarch, Mrs. Bennett, was very amusing. She really played up the "woe is me, my five daughters are a burden to me, they need good men" notion. There are three other folks who I think merit mentioning. The first is Rosamund Pike, who played the role of Jane Bennett. She was probably my favorite daughter. She was very down-to-earth, but she really seemed to enjoy life. And Mr. Bingly. Simon Woods played Mr. Bingly. I liked him because I think he reminds me of me (whether any of you find that true is a debate for another day). And then there's Kiera, who plays Elizabeth Bennett. She did a good job, but I don't think she shined. She actually seemed to be the equal of the other actors and actresses.

Like I said, I thought it was a good movie, but not a great movie. I'm thinking I'll give it an "8."