During my Kidney Stone Episode over the weekend, a co-worker was very supportive. He happens to be a urologist, so that came in handy. He said after I passed the stone, I should "come in for a complete workup." Well, I did.
The stone passed without incident, and I followed the advice of my urology buddy.
I did not get enough information about what would be involved in a complete workup.
Let's just say I like the guy, but I don't like him that much. Now that the "office visit" and the completely unanticipated physical exam are behind me, I'm guess I glad I went through with it. Now, I have to pick a 24-hour period during which I will collect all of my (how shall I put this?) liquid stream in a plastic jug.
I've sat next to this guy at lunch at least fifty times, but the noonday meal may never be the same.
There are certain things best left to strangers.
I did follow orders and brought the offending stone into the office. He looked at it and said, "Yep. that would cause some pain." At least my physical suffering has been validated.
Monday, March 10, 2008
Too Close for Comfort
No Respect in the West
A funny thing happened in the cafeteria at work the other day. A bunch of people were sitting around talking about the NBA. Somehow, pro basketball has drawn attention to itself in north Louisiana. Can it be the on-court success of the New Orleans Hornets? Unlikely. There is no fan base for the Hornets around here. Maybe it’s because some names we know have been in the news. Stromile Swift, who played at a local high school and at LSU, got into some trouble with his team and then was traded. Jason Kidd, who was at one point tabbed to be the next superstar of the nearby Dallas Mavericks, was re-acquired by that team. But it was Shaquille O’Neal who really captured the imaginations of the casual sports fan. Most folks around here are football fans who might give the NBA a glance once the playoffs start. Shaq transcends his sport, and his trade to the Phoenix Suns raised eyebrows. His LSU roots helped a little, too.
Most of the discussion concerned whether O’Neal would help or hurt the Suns. Would he fit into their style of play, or would they alter their style to suit him? Would this be a personal quest for him, a chance to play in the same conference with rival and former teammate Kobe Bryant? If the Suns were to best the Lakers, would it settle the question once and for all about which player was most responsible for the Lakers’ three consecutive championships to start this decade? Does Shaq have enough diesel left in the tank to fuel the Suns to the finals? All of those questions have yet to be answered, but opinions are getting a little firmer.
Once again, the bulk of the attention is focused on the Western Conference. Six of the eight league champions since the turn of the century have come from the west. This year, the Boston Celtics seem to be tipping the scales slightly eastward, but they have yet to prove anything in the post season.
The most amazing thing about these basketball conversations isn’t what’s being said, though. It’s what is not being said. Which team is the reigning NBA champion? Which team has won three of the last five NBA titles? Which is the only Western Conference team besides the Lakers to win championships this decade? The San Antonio Spurs.
The Spurs have a mini-dynasty going, and people just don’t seem to notice. David Robinson, Tim Duncan, Eva Longoria’s husband, that household name Manu Genobili all are superstars who have contributed to the Spurs’ amazing run of success. Yet, aside from the international acclaim Tony Parker received from marrying a beautiful TV star, the Spurs somehow seem to slip by essentially unnoticed. They are athletic, intensely competitive, clearly well-coached and proven winners. Yet, they’re not flashy. They go about their business without really calling attention to themselves. They make their home in a relatively small market which doesn’t draw big TV ratings.
With all due respect to Bryant, O’Neal and all of the Dallas Mavericks, the “other” team in the west is still the team to beat. They are the champions until somebody beats them. Now, that’s worth talking about.
Sphere: Related Content
Most of the discussion concerned whether O’Neal would help or hurt the Suns. Would he fit into their style of play, or would they alter their style to suit him? Would this be a personal quest for him, a chance to play in the same conference with rival and former teammate Kobe Bryant? If the Suns were to best the Lakers, would it settle the question once and for all about which player was most responsible for the Lakers’ three consecutive championships to start this decade? Does Shaq have enough diesel left in the tank to fuel the Suns to the finals? All of those questions have yet to be answered, but opinions are getting a little firmer.
Once again, the bulk of the attention is focused on the Western Conference. Six of the eight league champions since the turn of the century have come from the west. This year, the Boston Celtics seem to be tipping the scales slightly eastward, but they have yet to prove anything in the post season.
The most amazing thing about these basketball conversations isn’t what’s being said, though. It’s what is not being said. Which team is the reigning NBA champion? Which team has won three of the last five NBA titles? Which is the only Western Conference team besides the Lakers to win championships this decade? The San Antonio Spurs.
The Spurs have a mini-dynasty going, and people just don’t seem to notice. David Robinson, Tim Duncan, Eva Longoria’s husband, that household name Manu Genobili all are superstars who have contributed to the Spurs’ amazing run of success. Yet, aside from the international acclaim Tony Parker received from marrying a beautiful TV star, the Spurs somehow seem to slip by essentially unnoticed. They are athletic, intensely competitive, clearly well-coached and proven winners. Yet, they’re not flashy. They go about their business without really calling attention to themselves. They make their home in a relatively small market which doesn’t draw big TV ratings.
With all due respect to Bryant, O’Neal and all of the Dallas Mavericks, the “other” team in the west is still the team to beat. They are the champions until somebody beats them. Now, that’s worth talking about.
Sphere: Related Content
Saturday, March 08, 2008
Papa Was a Passing Stone
I spent most of Saturday bending over. That was until I found myself wearing a backless gown, flat on my back with pain killing narcotics being pumped directly into my veins. It's never pleasant when you experience so much pain that you get sick at your stomach, but it happened to me.
I was passing a kidney stone. I thought I could gut it out, but about three hours into the episode, I was simply overwhelmed. I have a buddy who is a urologist and I reached him on his cell phone, but he was out of town. He offered to phone in a prescription for pain. I should have accepted the offer, but I was being stubborn.
After pacing around in the restroom for a while, I caught myself cursing aloud. A glance in the mirror revealed a pale complexion, red eyes and deep lines. To put it another way, I looked just about as bad as I felt.
The ER staff took me seriously. I was given IV Dilaudid, and it really helped. I got fluids to help replace everything I had lost by being so sick. Now, it's just a waiting game. The next few days I will be straining my urine. I don't recommend it as a hobby.
I'm still under the influence as I write, so I can't be held accountable. I just hope it make a little sense. The bottom line: Kidney stones HURT.
I'm glad the cat's name isn't Oscar, like the three-year-old feline in a Providence, RI nursing home.
That cat curls up next to people just about two hours before they pass away. Apparently, I looked like death earlier in the day. My wife and daughter said at different times that I was green. My wife added, "I saw colors on your face I don't care to see again.Where do I stand? Apparently, the stone has passed from my kidney into my bladder, and that's what caused all the suffering. What do I have to look forward to? Perhaps it was summed up best by my 18-year-old son, who said "Oh, my God. Now you have to live your life in fear of peeing." Sphere: Related Content
Friday, March 07, 2008
The Snow Turned Into Rain
People around here got lathered up overnight because all the TV weathermen were calling for snow. They got it right. Snow fell long and hard for several hours, and it actually accumulated briefly.
The roads didn't freeze. Overpasses did not ice over. It was all very pretty, at least while it was in the air. Once it hit the ground, though, it was over. Slush formed for about ten seconds, then it was nothing but cold, cold water.
Showing an abundance of caution, Catholic schools sent students home in the morning. Public schools strapped 'em in, and that turned out to be the right thing to do because by the end of the day the snow had stopped falling and the roads were easily passable.
Of course people starting freaking out last night , thinking they wouldn't be able to get to work. It was Friday, and that clearly was a factor in their desire to take the day off. Mother nature did not cooperate, however. Aside from a drop in productivity based on people staring out the window watching snow fall, it was a regular work day.
Baseball and softball tournaments scheduled around town were the only real casualties.
And, then there was the Dan Fogelberg song that was stuck in my head all day long. The last line of "Same Old Lang Syne" kept coming back to me: "As I turned to make my way back home, the snow turned into rain." Sphere: Related Content
The roads didn't freeze. Overpasses did not ice over. It was all very pretty, at least while it was in the air. Once it hit the ground, though, it was over. Slush formed for about ten seconds, then it was nothing but cold, cold water.
Showing an abundance of caution, Catholic schools sent students home in the morning. Public schools strapped 'em in, and that turned out to be the right thing to do because by the end of the day the snow had stopped falling and the roads were easily passable.
Of course people starting freaking out last night , thinking they wouldn't be able to get to work. It was Friday, and that clearly was a factor in their desire to take the day off. Mother nature did not cooperate, however. Aside from a drop in productivity based on people staring out the window watching snow fall, it was a regular work day.
Baseball and softball tournaments scheduled around town were the only real casualties.
And, then there was the Dan Fogelberg song that was stuck in my head all day long. The last line of "Same Old Lang Syne" kept coming back to me: "As I turned to make my way back home, the snow turned into rain." Sphere: Related Content
Wednesday, March 05, 2008
Moses Was High?
Since I'm already going to hell for suggesting it's okay for the Pope to consecrate beer & pretzels for communion when he says mass at baseball stadiums in America, I might as well stamp my ticket.
The Associated Press is passing along an opinion that Moses was a dope fiend:
High on Mount Sinai, Moses was on psychedelic drugs when he heard God deliver the Ten Commandments, an Israeli researcher claimed in a study published this week.
Such mind-altering substances formed an integral part of the religious rites of Israelites in biblical times, Benny Shanon, a professor of cognitive psychology at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem wrote in the Time and Mind journal of philosophy.
"As far Moses on Mount Sinai is concerned, it was either a supernatural cosmic event, which I don't believe, or a legend, which I don't believe either, or finally, and this is very probable, an event that joined Moses and the people of Israel under the effect of narcotics," Shanon told Israeli public radio on Tuesday.
Moses was probably also on drugs when he saw the "burning bush," suggested Shanon, who said he himself has dabbled with such substances.
"The Bible says people see sounds, and that is a clasic phenomenon," he said citing the example of religious ceremonies in the Amazon in which drugs are used that induce people to "see music."
He mentioned his own experience when he used ayahuasca, a powerful psychotropic plant, during a religious ceremony in Brazil's Amazon forest in 1991. "I experienced visions that had spiritual-religious connotations," Shanon said.
He said the psychedelic effects of ayahuasca were comparable to those produced by concoctions based on bark of the acacia tree, that is frequently mentioned in the Bible.
Isn't this right up there with saying that Joseph was Jesus' biological father?
To be consistent here: I am all for the free exchange of ideas. I think we need to explore alternate schools of thought in order to strengthen our beliefs.
If Moses was high, then what was manna? And what really happened when Moses struck that stone with his staff? Water flowed freely.
The Old Testament is the Old Testament. I know, I know. Look, if I get struck by lightning or am eaten by locusts, please tell my wife I love her.
Sphere: Related Content
The Associated Press is passing along an opinion that Moses was a dope fiend:
High on Mount Sinai, Moses was on psychedelic drugs when he heard God deliver the Ten Commandments, an Israeli researcher claimed in a study published this week.
Such mind-altering substances formed an integral part of the religious rites of Israelites in biblical times, Benny Shanon, a professor of cognitive psychology at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem wrote in the Time and Mind journal of philosophy.
"As far Moses on Mount Sinai is concerned, it was either a supernatural cosmic event, which I don't believe, or a legend, which I don't believe either, or finally, and this is very probable, an event that joined Moses and the people of Israel under the effect of narcotics," Shanon told Israeli public radio on Tuesday.
Moses was probably also on drugs when he saw the "burning bush," suggested Shanon, who said he himself has dabbled with such substances.
"The Bible says people see sounds, and that is a clasic phenomenon," he said citing the example of religious ceremonies in the Amazon in which drugs are used that induce people to "see music."
He mentioned his own experience when he used ayahuasca, a powerful psychotropic plant, during a religious ceremony in Brazil's Amazon forest in 1991. "I experienced visions that had spiritual-religious connotations," Shanon said.
He said the psychedelic effects of ayahuasca were comparable to those produced by concoctions based on bark of the acacia tree, that is frequently mentioned in the Bible.
Isn't this right up there with saying that Joseph was Jesus' biological father?
To be consistent here: I am all for the free exchange of ideas. I think we need to explore alternate schools of thought in order to strengthen our beliefs.
If Moses was high, then what was manna? And what really happened when Moses struck that stone with his staff? Water flowed freely.
The Old Testament is the Old Testament. I know, I know. Look, if I get struck by lightning or am eaten by locusts, please tell my wife I love her.
Sphere: Related Content
The Strangers Without
One of the biggest adjustments we're making as parents is coming to grips with the fact that most of the time we don't know what the kids are doing or who they're with.
Here's my daughter with two guys I've never seen. The photo was taken in Baton Rouge at a Youth & Government event. A picture is worth a thousand words, so I don't have to write them all here.
When the kids are little, you are responsible for their whereabouts and activites 24 hours a day. When they are driving and asserting independence, you're lucky if you get ten hours in any 24-hour span.
For this child, even that's a reach.
We still have friends with younger children who find it difficult to grasp the idea that they will one day send their kids out into the world and just let them be on their own.
It's not a foreign concept. When I was little, it was not uncommon to hop on the bicycle first thing in the morning and stay gone until suppertime. I'm sure my mother was keeping tabs on me somehow, but she couldn't know exactly where I was at all times.
Now, with cell phones, we can at least keep in touch.
There is a certain freedom in trusting that your teens will be reasonably safe out there on the streets.
Now, we can just go to dinner or a movie without a need to give somebody a ride.
Sphere: Related Content
Here's my daughter with two guys I've never seen. The photo was taken in Baton Rouge at a Youth & Government event. A picture is worth a thousand words, so I don't have to write them all here.
When the kids are little, you are responsible for their whereabouts and activites 24 hours a day. When they are driving and asserting independence, you're lucky if you get ten hours in any 24-hour span.
For this child, even that's a reach.
We still have friends with younger children who find it difficult to grasp the idea that they will one day send their kids out into the world and just let them be on their own.
It's not a foreign concept. When I was little, it was not uncommon to hop on the bicycle first thing in the morning and stay gone until suppertime. I'm sure my mother was keeping tabs on me somehow, but she couldn't know exactly where I was at all times.
Now, with cell phones, we can at least keep in touch.
There is a certain freedom in trusting that your teens will be reasonably safe out there on the streets.
Now, we can just go to dinner or a movie without a need to give somebody a ride.
Sphere: Related Content
Monday, March 03, 2008
Return of the Spokesmodel
These random television appeareances keep getting weirder. This morning, I was out front again for the organization on a local morning show. When I say morning, I mean morning. 5:47am, according to the clock on the TV screen. This meant a 4:15am alarm following a night of rowdy revelry with Keith Urban and Carrie Underwood.
Yep, I worked a 12-hour day on four hours' sleep. It didn't kill me, but I am a little bushed.
The experience was strange because I was interviewed live by one of my oldest friends. He cautioned me not to "do a commercial" for the hospital. Yeah, right. Okay. I'll avoid the PR pitch, pal.
It was early and I was bascially sleepless, so I had to fight the temptation to field produce his live shots. I did offer a few pointers.
More importantly, I didn't embarrass the health system. So, the morning was a success.
Sphere: Related Content
Yep, I worked a 12-hour day on four hours' sleep. It didn't kill me, but I am a little bushed.
The experience was strange because I was interviewed live by one of my oldest friends. He cautioned me not to "do a commercial" for the hospital. Yeah, right. Okay. I'll avoid the PR pitch, pal.
It was early and I was bascially sleepless, so I had to fight the temptation to field produce his live shots. I did offer a few pointers.
More importantly, I didn't embarrass the health system. So, the morning was a success.
Sphere: Related Content
Urban Legend
For Christmas, we bought our daughter tickets to the "Carrie Underwood Concert." She came to town Sunday night, sharing billing with Keith Urban. In the days leading up to the show, we were asked several times if we had an extra "Carrie Underwood tickets." Driving to the show, we were wondering which performer would appear first. They both are Grammy winners with multiple #1 hit records.
Underwood Performed admirably, even going metal with a cover of Guns N' Roses' smash "Paradise City." Her biggest ovation came following her breakout hit "Before He Cheats." She is beautiful, exceptionally talented and has the potential one day to be great. She needs to work on her showmanship a little, but I would have been satisfied with her concert on its own merits. She went first, by the way. Now I know why.
Keith Urban is unbelievable. I had no idea, no clue. Where have I been? This guy puts on an amazing, high-tech, high energy show that left the packed house breathless and screaming for more. A versatile guitarist and remarkable vocalist, it's no wonder he has become a worldwide sensation (of which I was ridiculously unaware until about midnight Sunday).
I guess he is known as a country music star because he has won awards in that format, but his show seemed to have precious few "country" elements to it.
My wife and I have seen a lot of shows together, and as the Keith Urban frenzy built in Bossier, she turned to me and shouted, "this is right up there!," meaning it was among the best concerts she had ever seen. I can't disagree.
.JPG)
Urban performed an encore wearing an LSU football jersey. Early in the show, he and the band performed an impromptu version of "Louisiana Saturday Night." He did it with out gettin' down a fiddle or gettin' down a bow, but he had the crowd eating out of the palm of his hand. Urban and his wife are expecting a child. A fan brought a baby gift for him, and he noticed her. He invited her on-stage and opened the present to reveal a purple and gold LSU "onesie." The place came unglued.
All the while, the concert was diplayed live on a massive HD screen behind the stage..JPG)
I don't pretend to know much about the big-time, but I'm pretty sure I saw it Sunday night. We came to see Carrie and were pleased. We stuck around for "The guy with her" and were blown away.
Sphere: Related Content
Underwood Performed admirably, even going metal with a cover of Guns N' Roses' smash "Paradise City." Her biggest ovation came following her breakout hit "Before He Cheats." She is beautiful, exceptionally talented and has the potential one day to be great. She needs to work on her showmanship a little, but I would have been satisfied with her concert on its own merits. She went first, by the way. Now I know why.
Keith Urban is unbelievable. I had no idea, no clue. Where have I been? This guy puts on an amazing, high-tech, high energy show that left the packed house breathless and screaming for more. A versatile guitarist and remarkable vocalist, it's no wonder he has become a worldwide sensation (of which I was ridiculously unaware until about midnight Sunday).
I guess he is known as a country music star because he has won awards in that format, but his show seemed to have precious few "country" elements to it.
My wife and I have seen a lot of shows together, and as the Keith Urban frenzy built in Bossier, she turned to me and shouted, "this is right up there!," meaning it was among the best concerts she had ever seen. I can't disagree.
.JPG)
Urban performed an encore wearing an LSU football jersey. Early in the show, he and the band performed an impromptu version of "Louisiana Saturday Night." He did it with out gettin' down a fiddle or gettin' down a bow, but he had the crowd eating out of the palm of his hand. Urban and his wife are expecting a child. A fan brought a baby gift for him, and he noticed her. He invited her on-stage and opened the present to reveal a purple and gold LSU "onesie." The place came unglued.
All the while, the concert was diplayed live on a massive HD screen behind the stage..JPG)
I don't pretend to know much about the big-time, but I'm pretty sure I saw it Sunday night. We came to see Carrie and were pleased. We stuck around for "The guy with her" and were blown away.
Sphere: Related Content
Saturday, March 01, 2008
"My World Has Been Turned Upside Down"
It has been three weeks since the sudden and unexpected death of my wife's father. It pleases me to report that although my mother-in-law admits that her "world has been turned upside down," she soldiers on impressively.
This has required some effort. We are grateful for her many friends, who have kept her occupied on a daily basis. We certainly hope they keep it up.
She has been able to bury herself in the business of things. There's a lot of work to do when someone passes away. There are lawyers, accountants, CPA's, coroners and heirs. The neccessary activities are a blessing.
She's being social, too...out to dinner, the occasional show. She will be okay, but she still needs the people around her to help her through. After all, she had someone to help with everything for 48 years. The adjustment slope is steep. We'll keep pushing.
Sphere: Related Content
This has required some effort. We are grateful for her many friends, who have kept her occupied on a daily basis. We certainly hope they keep it up.
She has been able to bury herself in the business of things. There's a lot of work to do when someone passes away. There are lawyers, accountants, CPA's, coroners and heirs. The neccessary activities are a blessing.
She's being social, too...out to dinner, the occasional show. She will be okay, but she still needs the people around her to help her through. After all, she had someone to help with everything for 48 years. The adjustment slope is steep. We'll keep pushing.
Sphere: Related Content
Was I at the Tropicana?
We went to a Micheal Buble concert tonight. I wasn't sure what to expect. The tickets were a gift and dinner was thrown in for good measure, so it defintely was a pleasant evening. Before tonight, I couldn't have told you if I had heard a Michael Buble song. Having sat through the show, I can happily report I know two songs which clearly were his.
The rest of the time, I wasn't sure if I was watching Bobby Darrin, Harry Connick, Jr. or Clay Aiken. Buble did a little Elvis bit and even a Village People gag. He's very talented and engaged the audience well. He made fun of himself and got some nice laughs from the crowd. Music writer Keith Cera of the New Orleans Time-Picayune described it this way, after seeing Buble's show in his city earlier in the week: "Buble's smartly tailored suit of Rat Pack black was sturdy enough to accommodate the occasional drop to his knees or scamper off-stage. Skinny tie loosened at the collar, the 32-year-old unleashed his mischievous inner delinquent to counterbalance his precious treatment of romantic standards."
There were people there who were charged up to see him in person and hear him perform.
I'm glad I went. I came away thinking this show would fit well in Vegas in the 60's. That's a good thing, because it seems that's the feel Buble was trying to achieve.
(Cell phone photo from CenturyTel Center. Buble is in that blinding light somewhere.)
Sphere: Related Content
The rest of the time, I wasn't sure if I was watching Bobby Darrin, Harry Connick, Jr. or Clay Aiken. Buble did a little Elvis bit and even a Village People gag. He's very talented and engaged the audience well. He made fun of himself and got some nice laughs from the crowd. Music writer Keith Cera of the New Orleans Time-Picayune described it this way, after seeing Buble's show in his city earlier in the week: "Buble's smartly tailored suit of Rat Pack black was sturdy enough to accommodate the occasional drop to his knees or scamper off-stage. Skinny tie loosened at the collar, the 32-year-old unleashed his mischievous inner delinquent to counterbalance his precious treatment of romantic standards."
There were people there who were charged up to see him in person and hear him perform.
I'm glad I went. I came away thinking this show would fit well in Vegas in the 60's. That's a good thing, because it seems that's the feel Buble was trying to achieve.
(Cell phone photo from CenturyTel Center. Buble is in that blinding light somewhere.)
Sphere: Related Content
Thursday, February 28, 2008
Many Religious Controversies
Centenary College of Louisiana recently invited Erik Wielenburg, an avowed atheist, to speak on campus. It came to my attention during a recent gathering at St.Mark's. Since Centenary has ties to the Methodist church, this has caused much hand-wringing and e-mail hysteria from insecure Christians among us. Wielenberg was the second non-believer to speak at Centenary this semester. A member of a local Methodist congregation got a little worked up, sending a mass e-mail asserting that parents send their students to "A Christian Methodist college for a reason." He went on, in part, "I refuse to believe that this reason is to brainwash their kids into believing that their is no God. We must do something about this. Please contact the president of Centenary, the board members, the alumni, the administration, and your church. I attended the atheists event last month and witnessed first hand how atheist spread their "word." Several students purchased her book after the event. I pray that none of those students turned against God that night."
Okay, let's not contact anyone. If these impressionable students are so insufficiently grounded in their faith that they will be "turned against God" by sitting through a couple of lectures, something has gone wrong over the last 18-20 years. This semester didn't have a lot to do with it.
The school's chaplain was compelled to respond with another mass e-mail explaining the bold concept of a free exchange of ideas. It was smart, well reasoned and right on target, saying parents have a duty to students to "Ground them in faith, engage them in reflection and in the exchange of ideas and then, when you send them to us, do all you can to encourage them to participate in the Christian worship, fellowship, study and service opportunities which we offer at Centenary."
My son has been offered a scholarship to attend Centenary. Thanks to this letter from the chaplain, I'm feeling really good about it.
There's also a freaky line of thought creeping around the internet about Barack Obama. The mainstream media is exploring his religious beliefs because a lot of people believe he is a Muslim. He claims to be a Christian. There's a quiet undercurrent of discussion in the blogosphere that Obama may be the Antichrist. Barack Obama the Antichrist? That's way too deep for me, but I've had three people say something about it to me in the last week.
The only response I have is, "well, this is not the first time I've heard that."
Isn't it strange? I'm hearing this odd run of comments that flabbergast me beyond reasonable response. Hang onto your hat. Things are getting weird.
Sphere: Related Content
Okay, let's not contact anyone. If these impressionable students are so insufficiently grounded in their faith that they will be "turned against God" by sitting through a couple of lectures, something has gone wrong over the last 18-20 years. This semester didn't have a lot to do with it.
The school's chaplain was compelled to respond with another mass e-mail explaining the bold concept of a free exchange of ideas. It was smart, well reasoned and right on target, saying parents have a duty to students to "Ground them in faith, engage them in reflection and in the exchange of ideas and then, when you send them to us, do all you can to encourage them to participate in the Christian worship, fellowship, study and service opportunities which we offer at Centenary."
My son has been offered a scholarship to attend Centenary. Thanks to this letter from the chaplain, I'm feeling really good about it.
There's also a freaky line of thought creeping around the internet about Barack Obama. The mainstream media is exploring his religious beliefs because a lot of people believe he is a Muslim. He claims to be a Christian. There's a quiet undercurrent of discussion in the blogosphere that Obama may be the Antichrist. Barack Obama the Antichrist? That's way too deep for me, but I've had three people say something about it to me in the last week.
The only response I have is, "well, this is not the first time I've heard that."
Isn't it strange? I'm hearing this odd run of comments that flabbergast me beyond reasonable response. Hang onto your hat. Things are getting weird.
Sphere: Related Content
Wednesday, February 27, 2008
I Guess I'm Going to Hell
Pope Benedict is from Germany, and an e-mail prankster has shown us his vision of inevitable changes in Holy Communion. I have to admit I laughed out loud.
This comes in the wake of a spirited discussion I had recently with a buddy who attends a local Assembly of God church. He asked me, with a straight face, if I believe Catholics are Christians. Days earlier a close friend who attends the same church asked me if it's true that Catholics are taught NOT to read the Bible. I wonder what they're teaching out there.
My response to each question was about the same. It was something along the lines of "That question, quite frankly, is so utterly preposterous that it borders on incomprehensible." I grew up Catholic and suffered significant ridicule because of it from the bigoted mouths of some of my Southern Baptist relatives.
There's a lot of disinformation being taught in "Christian" churches, but this is not my fight.
My lifelong best friend, a devout Roman Catholic, saw these mocked-up Pope images and wrote to me, "Just to let you know, I’m praying for your soul!!!"
In the end, that's really all I can ask for.
By the way, the Holy Father will make his first trip to the United States as Pope in April. He will celebrate mass in two baseball stadiums, the brand new Washington Nationals Park and Yankee stadium. Attendance won't be an issue. 46,000 seats will be available in Washington, D.C., and 57,000 will be available at New York City. Demand for tickets so far is essentially tripling capacity.
There may actually be scalpers. It would be pure profit, too. The Church won't charge admission for mass!
Since we're having Church With The Big Guy at the ballpark, beer and pretzels might be appropriate after all. I mean, who says he can only consecrate wine and wafers? Peanuts and Cracker Jacks can't be far behind.
Sing along: Take me out to the ball game, Take me out to the mass..."
Sphere: Related Content
This comes in the wake of a spirited discussion I had recently with a buddy who attends a local Assembly of God church. He asked me, with a straight face, if I believe Catholics are Christians. Days earlier a close friend who attends the same church asked me if it's true that Catholics are taught NOT to read the Bible. I wonder what they're teaching out there.
My response to each question was about the same. It was something along the lines of "That question, quite frankly, is so utterly preposterous that it borders on incomprehensible." I grew up Catholic and suffered significant ridicule because of it from the bigoted mouths of some of my Southern Baptist relatives.
There's a lot of disinformation being taught in "Christian" churches, but this is not my fight.
My lifelong best friend, a devout Roman Catholic, saw these mocked-up Pope images and wrote to me, "Just to let you know, I’m praying for your soul!!!"
In the end, that's really all I can ask for.
By the way, the Holy Father will make his first trip to the United States as Pope in April. He will celebrate mass in two baseball stadiums, the brand new Washington Nationals Park and Yankee stadium. Attendance won't be an issue. 46,000 seats will be available in Washington, D.C., and 57,000 will be available at New York City. Demand for tickets so far is essentially tripling capacity.
There may actually be scalpers. It would be pure profit, too. The Church won't charge admission for mass!
Since we're having Church With The Big Guy at the ballpark, beer and pretzels might be appropriate after all. I mean, who says he can only consecrate wine and wafers? Peanuts and Cracker Jacks can't be far behind.
Sing along: Take me out to the ball game, Take me out to the mass..."
Sphere: Related Content
Monday, February 25, 2008
On the TV Again in a Weird Way
Somehow, I was tabbed to be the spokesmodel for my organization at a weekend event. Much to my surprise, two local TV stations actually interviewed me.
It was a strange feeling to have the tables turned. Certainly, I stuck a microphone in countless faces countless times. I felt almost like a politician, responding to the question while getting my "pitch" in.
The good news is, it seems like the health system was presented in a positive light and the front man didn't do anything to mess that up.
This has happened just once before, when I was interviewed in the context of being radio boy for the local Arena Football team. In that case, the subject matter was second nature and there was no real pressure. This time, the interview involved terms like "arthroscopy" and "miniscus" instead of "touchdown" and "field goal."
The best part was that I've been gone from the local TeeVee for so long (or there has been so much turnover at the local stations) that neither of the interviewers had any idea I have a TV news background. They patiently explained how to stand and where to look. I was happy to oblige.
Hold onto your videoarthroscope.
Sphere: Related Content
It was a strange feeling to have the tables turned. Certainly, I stuck a microphone in countless faces countless times. I felt almost like a politician, responding to the question while getting my "pitch" in.
The good news is, it seems like the health system was presented in a positive light and the front man didn't do anything to mess that up.
This has happened just once before, when I was interviewed in the context of being radio boy for the local Arena Football team. In that case, the subject matter was second nature and there was no real pressure. This time, the interview involved terms like "arthroscopy" and "miniscus" instead of "touchdown" and "field goal."
The best part was that I've been gone from the local TeeVee for so long (or there has been so much turnover at the local stations) that neither of the interviewers had any idea I have a TV news background. They patiently explained how to stand and where to look. I was happy to oblige.
Hold onto your videoarthroscope.
Sphere: Related Content
Sunday, February 24, 2008
Regis Delivers
There was an event in Bossier City this afternoon which featured one of the greatest basketball players ever, Karl Malone. Malone, known as "The Mailman" (because he always delivers), patiently and graciously signed autographs. He posed for photos and basically did all you would want a visiting celebrity to do.
Fame is relative, however. While Malone was being swarmed by admirers, a lady embedded in the throng got my attention and asked, "Who is that?" I explained that he's a great basketball player who has an Olympic gold medal and played for many years with the Utah Jazz and the Los Angeles Lakers. There were photos and souvenirs of his stellar career surrounding us. I pointed out some of them.
She asked, "What's his name?"
"Karl Malone."
"Oh, I think I've heard of him," she replied encouragingly.
Then, as she looked through the trophy case, she got excited. She tapped her husband on the shoulder when she saw a framed photo of someone she actually recognized. Her breath became a little short and her voice rose an octave as she exclaimed, "Look! Regis!"
You go with what you know.
Wonders Never Cease
This contemplative young bearded fellow is a member of my immediate family. Okay, that's my 18-year-old son. This is a noteworthy moment, because it is undeniable proof that he actually attended, of his own choosing, a sporting event.
Theories abound about why the son of a sportscaster denies any interest whatsoever in sports, but I'm not a psychologist.
He is in the final semester of his high school experience,
which until this moment had been utterly devoid of sports.
He has been attending a school with an academic emphasis. There is no football or basketball team, but there is soccer.
Saturday night, the Magnet High Mustangs set the soccer world on its ear by winning the state championship in the highest classification. My son got caught up in the spirit of things and apparently actually cheered for his school's team.
The world did not stop spinning. Be true to your school.
Soccer photo by Douglas Collier of the Shreveport Times. Sphere: Related Content
Theories abound about why the son of a sportscaster denies any interest whatsoever in sports, but I'm not a psychologist.
He is in the final semester of his high school experience,
which until this moment had been utterly devoid of sports. He has been attending a school with an academic emphasis. There is no football or basketball team, but there is soccer.
Saturday night, the Magnet High Mustangs set the soccer world on its ear by winning the state championship in the highest classification. My son got caught up in the spirit of things and apparently actually cheered for his school's team.
The world did not stop spinning. Be true to your school.
Soccer photo by Douglas Collier of the Shreveport Times. Sphere: Related Content
Saturday, February 23, 2008
To Texas and Back
Mr. Big Stuff got to take a business trip on an airplane. For a lot of people, this is a routine thing. I'm from Bossier and grew up working in a plumbing shop. Taking the company pick-up to Haughton was a highlight for me back in the day.
Actually, I've grown accustomed to the little weekenders on commercial airlines, but hopping on a private plane and flying deep into the Heart of Texas and being home in time for dinner is not something I do every day.
I remember the first time I had that experience. In 1984, I flew to Charleston, South Carolina and back on a charter to cover a football game. When my work was finished, I pulled out a map and shook my head in wonder at the distance I had traveled in a day. It was a foreign concept to me that I woke up in my bed, went that far and came back in time to sleep in my bed again. There's still a little of that left in me.
I went to Ft. Worth and spent some time inside Radio Shack's building. I met a lot of new people and actually ran into a lady who used to work in local television. She was the primary anchor at the local ABC too many years ago to comprehend. We know a lot of the same people and spent a significant amount of time reminiscing.
I had lunch in Dowtown Ft. Worth. With all due respect to George Strait, it's a place that had never really crossed my mind. It's really nice. I enjoyed myself. If this project I'm working on takes off, I'll probably be going back a few times. I'm really looking forward to it.
Sphere: Related Content
Actually, I've grown accustomed to the little weekenders on commercial airlines, but hopping on a private plane and flying deep into the Heart of Texas and being home in time for dinner is not something I do every day.
I remember the first time I had that experience. In 1984, I flew to Charleston, South Carolina and back on a charter to cover a football game. When my work was finished, I pulled out a map and shook my head in wonder at the distance I had traveled in a day. It was a foreign concept to me that I woke up in my bed, went that far and came back in time to sleep in my bed again. There's still a little of that left in me.
I went to Ft. Worth and spent some time inside Radio Shack's building. I met a lot of new people and actually ran into a lady who used to work in local television. She was the primary anchor at the local ABC too many years ago to comprehend. We know a lot of the same people and spent a significant amount of time reminiscing. I had lunch in Dowtown Ft. Worth. With all due respect to George Strait, it's a place that had never really crossed my mind. It's really nice. I enjoyed myself. If this project I'm working on takes off, I'll probably be going back a few times. I'm really looking forward to it.
Sphere: Related Content
Thursday, February 21, 2008
She's Not A Spaniel
.JPG)
One-half of the happy couple has really put herself "out there" this week, playing Helena in a local production of "A Midsummer Night's Dream." The production was lively and well-done. The costumes and sets are remarkable. I was a little nervous for her at a certain point in Act One. Helena has a monologue, and she's on the stage alone with nowhere to hide.
We sat with our son, who seemed a little disconcerted watching his long-time girlfriend speak in rhyme and be bandied between two young on-stage suitors.
As Bill Shakespeare constructed this thing, the guys have had a spell cast on them and they are both in love (at least for a while) with Helena. .JPG)
She thinks they both hate her and are mocking her. She's in love with one, however, and admits that he could treat her like a spaniel and that would be okay with her.
I told my son he should start calling her "spaniel." I don't think he liked the idea at all. If he did, he would never admit it. Just kidding, of course.
We're proud of her. She was convincing and beautiful and remembered all her lines as far as we could tell. Plus, I think he was a little unnerved seeing two guys paw on her up there. It's good for him. Maybe he appreciates her a little more now.
In the end, Helena gets her man. Maybe it works out in real life, too.
Sphere: Related Content
Tuesday, February 19, 2008
She Really Stepped in It
Michelle Obama, who has a legitimate chance to be the next First Lady of the United States, may have just tripped herself up on the road to the White House.
She publicly said, "For the first time in my adult lifetime, I'm proud of my country." She added that it is not becasue her husband is succeeding in Democratic primaries, but because she detects a yearning for change among the American people.
How can she not be proud of a country that has allowed her to go to an Ivy League school, to be wildly successful, to chase any dream?
How can she expect to represent this country when she has spent her entire life, until now, being something less than "proud?"
This was a major faux pas, in my little opinion, and this will haunt the Obamas all the way to November.
The Obama spin machine is a Tasmanian devil right now, offering this: "Of course Michelle is proud of her country, which is why she and Barack talk constantly about how their story wouldn’t be possible in any other nation on Earth. What she meant is that she’s really proud at this moment because for the first time in a long time, thousands of Americans who’ve never participated in politics before are coming out in record numbers to build a grassroots movement for change."
Okay, so that's what she meant. But, it's not what she said. The political waters are starting to boil.
Sphere: Related Content
She publicly said, "For the first time in my adult lifetime, I'm proud of my country." She added that it is not becasue her husband is succeeding in Democratic primaries, but because she detects a yearning for change among the American people.
How can she not be proud of a country that has allowed her to go to an Ivy League school, to be wildly successful, to chase any dream?
How can she expect to represent this country when she has spent her entire life, until now, being something less than "proud?"
This was a major faux pas, in my little opinion, and this will haunt the Obamas all the way to November.
The Obama spin machine is a Tasmanian devil right now, offering this: "Of course Michelle is proud of her country, which is why she and Barack talk constantly about how their story wouldn’t be possible in any other nation on Earth. What she meant is that she’s really proud at this moment because for the first time in a long time, thousands of Americans who’ve never participated in politics before are coming out in record numbers to build a grassroots movement for change."
Okay, so that's what she meant. But, it's not what she said. The political waters are starting to boil.
Sphere: Related Content
Monday, February 18, 2008
Peril-Lou
LSU quarterback Ryan Perrilloux is suspended from the team for "his failure to follow team rules," according to a news release from LSU's Sports Information Department..
Perrilloux has been a thorn in coaches' and fans' sides since signing day when he talk about supplanting returning quarterbacks. He's been in trouble for his activities in and around night clubs and casinos. He can't seem to attend meetings, go to class or generally be a consistent "team guy." This is a shame, because he is an extraordinarily talented athlete. He's the guy who has been expected to lead the offense of the reigning national champions for two more years.
If he doesn't figure out how to behave, he may be running circles around SWAC opponents before he knew what hit him.
Perrilloux started two games during LSU's BCS championship run, but missed the win over Alabama in the wake of his involvement in a brawl at a Baton Rouge nightclub.
The Tigers will start spring practice later this month, and it remains unclear whether Perrilloux will even be on campus. Sphere: Related Content
Perrilloux has been a thorn in coaches' and fans' sides since signing day when he talk about supplanting returning quarterbacks. He's been in trouble for his activities in and around night clubs and casinos. He can't seem to attend meetings, go to class or generally be a consistent "team guy." This is a shame, because he is an extraordinarily talented athlete. He's the guy who has been expected to lead the offense of the reigning national champions for two more years.
If he doesn't figure out how to behave, he may be running circles around SWAC opponents before he knew what hit him.
Perrilloux started two games during LSU's BCS championship run, but missed the win over Alabama in the wake of his involvement in a brawl at a Baton Rouge nightclub.
The Tigers will start spring practice later this month, and it remains unclear whether Perrilloux will even be on campus. Sphere: Related Content
Sunday, February 17, 2008
Thousands Down the Drain
ETHICS! LEGALITY! ILLNESS! WASTE!
These are the words racing through my mind as we clean out the medicine cabinet of my recently-deceased father-in-law. This represents about half of the medicine we are throwing away. Expired presciptions, current meds...it doesn't matter. Anything on which the seal has been broken is going away.
Somewhere, a dishonest drug broker is weeping, because this represents thousands of dollars which has been flushed away.
We don't share prescriptions. We will donate whatever we can to the interfaith pharmacy, but the remainder is already gone.
Such a waste. Such a shame.
Sphere: Related Content
These are the words racing through my mind as we clean out the medicine cabinet of my recently-deceased father-in-law. This represents about half of the medicine we are throwing away. Expired presciptions, current meds...it doesn't matter. Anything on which the seal has been broken is going away.
Somewhere, a dishonest drug broker is weeping, because this represents thousands of dollars which has been flushed away.
We don't share prescriptions. We will donate whatever we can to the interfaith pharmacy, but the remainder is already gone.
Such a waste. Such a shame.
Sphere: Related Content
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
