A Peck of Gold

Thanksturkeyday-Xmas break

I think that eventually, the commercialization of the holidays will cause Christmas and Thanksgiving to combine into a hybrid holiday that focusses on mass eating and shopping. They are already playing Christmas musak in the malls and putting up the lights and such. By the time the holiday actually does get here I will have O.D.ed on Christmas spirit. No wonder people have come to think that gifts are created by midgets at the north pole!
This new UberChristmas of the future will probably then combine with Halloween far, far into the future. I don't know what it will be called then. I imagine all the children will dress as Santa or Turkeys to trick or treat and they will all be given candy canes or cranberry sauce as treats. What a crazy, mixed up world we live in.
Anyway, I say all that to tell you that I am going to visit family for Thanksgiving, though it is still a few days away. You see how I am getting swept up in the whole 'celebrate early' phenomenon? I will probably not be blogging during this time, so don't get too concerned, I'll be back...with a vengance.
May everyone reading this have a happy thanksgiving. Enjoy the time with your families and praise God for all he has given us.
Later.

Is the Soap Really Necessary: Thoughts on Cussing

Okay, so maybe it's not the deepest subject in the world. It's the shallow end of the theological pool, but humor me and let me tread a moment.

Do you think cussing is a sin? I tend to think there's a difference between cussing versus cursing/swearing. Cursing and swearing are addressed in the Bible. Obviously, we're not to take the Lord's name in vain, curse our neighbors, swear oaths by things etc. But using "bad" language is a cultural issue, not a Biblical offense, at least to my understanding of the words "curse" and "swear" as they are used in the Bible. When it mentions "curse", it is used in terms of an actual curse brought onto someone, like "God strike you dead" kind of curse, not cuss. And swearing, is used in terms of "swearing falsely" or "swearing by the heavens" or something. There is no mention of cuss words, bad language, or expletives.

I know today we use the terms interchangeably, swear, curse, cuss - but I don't think they are the same thing. I think cussing is a cultural taboo, not a Biblical one. Just look at the evolution of cuss words. Profanity used in Shakespearean plays was highly inflammatory in that time. Now, we don't even blink- they are no longer cultural taboos. Society, not the Bible, dictates the taboo of cussing, and what constitutes the cuss words of the day.

It's not that I'm promoting cussing. (well, maybe a little, it can be pretty funny) I just think their's a difference, and I wondered what you guys thought.

That's odd...

Patrick had to get up early Saturday morning for work, and he noted something strange as he drove past the barber shop a few blocks over. It was 4:30 in the morning, still dark outside, and the place was packed! It was the only building with it's lights on, and the parking lot was full of cars. He could see people of various ages/races inside sitting in the chairs, actually getting their hair cut.

I can't begin to make sense of that!

Harry Potter: You Rock My Muggle World

Whew. I'm done. HOORAH!!! You can't see me, but I'm doing a little dance. You know, that "I survived The Order of the Phoenix" dance. I mentioned earlier the trouble I had getting this book from the library, but I finally snagged it. (That little kid didn't really want it anyway-- he was very happy to hand it over, honestly. And he wasn't crying. That was something in his eye.)

What an achievement! I sustained minor damage to my vision, my family lived solely on sandwiches and chips for days, a weeks worth of laundry is waiting on me, and I haven't bathed in four days, but it's done. (I'm kidding about the bathing thing.) But, man, what a whopper of a book.

I'm going to talk about it now, so don't read anymore if you haven't caught up yet. Or if you're bored beyond belief. Or if you're too busy. Or you're just too lazy to click the link.

Oh good. You're still here!

I went back and read Aaron's odd thoughts on the subject, but haven't read anyone else's. I'm lazy. So, let's rehash this and save me the trouble of searching everyone's archives again.

I know Harry has had a load of trouble, I feel for him, I really do. But, I have to admit at one point I was wondering if he'd ever stop whining and snapping at everyone. I was glad to see that by the end of the book, he seemed to come to terms with some of it. I guess all 16 year olds are pills, not just the Muggles. I guess having all your family killed can make you cranky, too.

And man oh man, that Professor Umbridge-- I can't think of the last time I disliked a character in a book so much. I was fuming over her. I kept thinking that the quill that Harry had to write with, and the subsequent slight scarring from the words, would play out to something, but I guess I was wrong. Still, what a witch! I mean, not the good kind either. Oh you know what I mean. What exactly HAPPENED to her with the centaurs?? (what a superior lot those are, huh?)

Do you think Harry can make it through the Auror requirements? Obviously, he's got the Defense Against the Dark Arts down, but I don't know about the other stuff...

What would Hermoine choose as her career choice? Will it be something with S.P.E.W? Is there going to be a further story line with the house elfs?

Is Percy going to eat crow and make amends with his family? That jerk. I hope he gets his comeuppance.

And let me say, I just love Professor McGonagall. She is so freaking awesome. I wanna be her when I grow up.

Anyway, I just wanted to unload some of my Harry Potter energy. Now, I've joined the rabid mob of impatient fans, counting the days until the next book or movie. Sigh. I knew this would happen. Dang you, brain! I told you no more long series, and you just went right ahead and did it anyway!! I hate you, cerebral cortex. You'll pay for this. Oh yeah. Your days are numbered, buddy.

I'm going to bed. It's getting a little too silly in here for me.

The Frame Game

Does the name "Frugal Framing" make you think you'll save money at the cost of quality? Or just save money? I want something that indicates cost saving framing, but I want to avoid the words, bargain, dirt-cheap, thrifty, etc. Is there a nice way to say it, but still maintain good craftmanship?

A Guy Walks Into A Bar... OUCH.

It's Tuesday. How about some bar jokes? Add 'em if you got 'em!

A jumper cable walks into a bar.
The barman says, "I'll serve you, but don't start anything."

Two peanuts walked into a bar, and one was a-salted.

A neutron walks into a bar. "I'd like a beer" he says. The bartender promptly serves up a beer. "How much will that be?" asks the neutron. "For you?" replies the bartender, "no charge".

A dyslexic guy walks into a bra...

A sandwich walks into a bar.
The barman says, "Sorry, we don't serve food in here."

A priest, a rabbi, and a Baptist preacher walk into a bar. The bartender looks up and says, "What is this, some kind of joke?"

A font walks into a bar.
The bartenders says: "Hey, we don't serve your type in here!"

A mushroom walks into a bar.
The bartender says: "Hey, you look like a fun guy!"

Two cartons of yogurt walk into a bar. The bartender, a tub of cottage cheese, says to them, "We don't serve your kind in here." One of the yogurt cartons says back to him, "Why not? We're cultured individuals."

Oh, it's good to be corny.

P.E.T.A. and Those Evil Girlscouts

When it's not cookie season, what are the Girl Scouts of America doing? Well, some of them are trapping beavers, much to the dismay of People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (P.E.T.A.) The girls were invited by the Fish and Wildlife Agency (yes, that's the government) to participate in a beaver control program to manage the state-wide flooding problems. They learned to track, trap, skin, and cook beaver in efforts to control the population explosion. P.E.T.A has flipped out about it of course. Read the article.

Don't get me wrong, I'm not anti-animal. I like critters, as long as they aren't trying to eat me or destroy my property. I'd go out of my way to help a turtle cross the road. I read all the James Herriot books. I think we should do our best to save endangered species, and protect animals from abuse. But P.E.T.A. is way over the top.

Take this quote in Reader's Digest (June 1990) for example. "Humans have grown like a cancer. We're the biggest blight on the face of the earth." --Ingrid Newkirk, national director of P.E.T.A.

They don't make any bones about it. They despise humanity. I'm sorry, but that's too much. As Christians, we should feel some sense of "wrongness" to that mentality. We are created in the image of God. Sure, we sin. We aren't good stewards of what God gave us all the time. But, we are not a cancer. I wonder if they hate humanity, or it's Author. But that's another post.

Remember that 8 year old kid, Jessie Arbogast that got his arm bitten off by a shark in Florida last summer? The uncle swam out and wrestled the shark to shore, retrieved his nephew's arm, and killed the shark? P.E.T.A. used the incident as an ad campaign. Truly tasteless. But that's not nearly as bad as it gets.

Did you know that P.E.T.A. officials also support the use of violence to promote animal rights? "Arson, property destruction, burglary and theft are 'acceptable crimes' when used for the animal cause." (quote from Alex Pacheco, Director, P.E.T.A.) Not to mention P.E.T.A.'s support of extreme animal rights groups that the government has labeled as "domestic terrorists". For example, A.L.F. (Animal Liberation Front). Peta gave $45,000 to the defense fund of an A.L.F. terrorist. P.E.T.A continually shows support to ALF when called upon. They deny more direct involvement with those groups, but say "It would be great if all the fast-food outlets, slaughterhouses, these laboratories and the banks who fund them exploded tomorrow… I think it's perfectly appropriate for people to take bricks and toss them through the windows... Hallelujah to the people who are willing to do it." (Quote from P.E.T.A. spokesman Bruce Friedrich.) Are you KIDDING me? Not very subtle, huh?

I'd hate to be on P.E.T.A.'s badlist. If they won't do the dirty work, they know someone who will, and they'll pay for the defense of the perpetrators if they get caught. Well, you COULD be on the badlist if you're a pet owner. Did you know you're subjugating your pet to slavery? Ingrid Newkirk says, "Pet ownership is an absolutely abysmal situation brought about by human manipulation." Another one: "Let us allow the dog to disappear from our brick and concrete jungles--from our firesides, from the leather nooses and chains by which we enslave it." John Bryant, author of Fettered Kingdoms, a book published by P.E.T.A. So far, P.E.T.A hasn't thrown a brick through my window for having a cat, but we'll see. If they get bored with the Girl Scouts they may come after me. (I don't actually have a cat anymore, for the record though)

I could go on and on about it, but there's a lot of information about P.E.T.A. out there, just do a search and you'll find tons yourself. Draw your own opinion. There's nothing wrong with taking care of animals, preserving nature, etc. But be aware of the tactics and measures that some groups will go to in order to achieve their agenda. Examine that agenda closely before assuming that it's right, just because it has the word's "Ethical Treatment" in the title.

More quotes from P.E.T.A. here

Keeping Things Interesting

This has been a busy week at the Trisler household. We've made some major decisions regarding the Spring semester next year.

A little background. Patrick is in his 3rd year at LSU in the Landscape Architecture program. It's a 5 year program, and it's pretty intense. The schedules are set by the school each semester, and you have to take what you get. Unfortunately, it's not conducive to having a job, too. Patrick will go to class till 4:30 every afternoon. Hopefully, his current boss will agree to let him work some nights, but still, he won't be able to work much because he's got to study and do the endless projects they assign throughout the semester.

So, enter Shannon. I already babysit a few days a week, but I have to kick it into high gear to make the money we need to get through the next 2 1/2 years. After calculating all the possible scenarios (centered on childcare for my two youngins), we've come up with a plan. I have some experience working in a frame shop, and I've decided to open my own home business.

Getting over the fear was the biggest hurdle. I know there's some risk involved, but I'm going to give it 110%, and pray that it will be a fruitful endevour. I'm a detail oriented person, and I get a personal high from things like paperwork, organizational plans, and lists. (We've already established that I'm a nerd, so don't even bother bringing that up.) Plus, I really love framing, and have always planned on having a workshop one day for fun.

So, this is my plan. I want to appeal to the demographic of people who want things framed, but don't want to pay an arm and a leg at a frameshop. I've chatted with lots of folks about framing, and they always say, "I took this picture in, and picked out all my stuff, and it was like $70!" And they never get another thing framed again because of that experience. If I can get their business, I can charge a lot less than the frameshops.

I wish I could have this all organized by Christmas, but I don't think I can get my startup money together that quickly. Plus, we are going to have to move into another apartment for the space, so it's going to be January before this lines up.

I'm really excited about this, and I would love to get some feedback if any of you have experience starting your own home business. I've also got to come up with a name, and decide how to advertise, etc. etc. If you've got suggestions, advice, or just plain old encouragement, lay it on me. The mic is on.

Thursday Confessional

Hi, my name is Shannon, and I really want to watch Paris Hilton's reality show airing in December.

I'm so ashamed.

*Sob* Your turn.

Won't Someone Please Think of The Children! The Children!

Casinos. I remember when they came to V'burg, and we all petitioned against them, and everyone was really upset when they won anyway. Now that I'm older, and questionably wiser, I think it's just like one of the many things in life that can be addictive, like food, alcohol, or work. The addiction is a sin, but the activity is not necessarily wrong in itself. I don't think the act of betting is a sin, but I'm open to some discussion on it if you disagree.

However, I'm not saying I'm a fan. I think casino owners are probably The Bad Guys, and they bring Bad Things to the city. Definately, V'burg has not been improved by their presence. The interstate leading into town is littered with huge, obnoxious signs. The casinos themselves are eyesores, and disrupt the "feel" of the town. I'm sure there has been a rise in crime, or so I've been told. I don't know if they kept their promises to donate money to the community schools, but I'm thinking probably not.

What really gets me, though, are the daycares in the casinos. It's not enough that they will come to your home and shuttle you in on the casino vans. They will also babysit your children so you can enjoy some time alone at the tables. Excuse me, but there is no way I'm leaving my sweet little babies with the Casino Nannies. Not gonna happen. Ew.

At least, the cocktails are complimentary. That's the only good thing I can think of. Maybe I'd be more impressed if they at least had a "no shirt, no shoes, no service" policy. And sorry, wife beaters don't count as shirts, fellas. No- no arguement, they just don't, end of discussion. I know it's not Vegas, but come on! It's not a back-room cock fight in the Bronx, either!

Sigh. This is why I don't gamble, people. I guess I'm just too disgusted.

Well, that, and being poor.

Funny Signs Part Deux

As promised, here is the second installment of Funny Signs. (Read here for the first post on church signs).

These are Beauty Parlor or Barber Shop signs that have made us laugh through the years. Some we've seen ourselves, others we've been told about or found on the net. If you know of one, please add it!

Hoorah for business owners with a sense of humor!

Hair's to You
Scissor's Palace
Beauty and the Bleach
Sophisticut
Hairy Situations
Goldilooks
Slyvester's Salon
Whoop! Hair It Is
The Hair Port
Curl Up and Dye
A Perm Foundation
The Hair After
Felix the Cut
Heads U Win
Hair and Now
Cutting Up on the Hill
To Dye For
Hairwaves
Hair Force One

Oh, That Can't Be Good

Cleaning out our trunk/coffeetable where we store all our videos, I found one I checked out from the library a MONTH ago- "Dumbo" if you must know. At a dollar a day late fee... well, it's not going to be pretty. But, I don't feel so bad about the fine- because really, we read so many books for free that it's good to "support" the library occasionally. At least, this will be my arguement to Patrick when I confess what I did. How's it sound? Convincing?

We are big library buffs. I can't see spending thirty bucks for a book, when I can read it for free. I guess I'm just not into the ownership of books, mainly because we have limited space to store them, and I can spend that money elsewhere!!

I am still waiting, rather impatiently, for the last Harry Potter book to be available for checkout. These little punk kids keep reading it! I may have to rough 'em up a bit to get my turn, put a little fear into them.

Shannon: Resident Librarian Bully.

Scary, huh? You know it.

Early Birds

Children have an internal alarm clock, and it's set for 6:30 a.m. Unfortunately, there's no snooze button. And even if the electricity goes off, there's a battery back up.

*Yawn*

Bet you yawned just now, huh? Or if you didn't, now you really really want to. Go ahead, do it: Yawn. yawn. Big, comfy, feel good YAWN. Yawn, yawning, yawners, yawny yawn.

Feed Me, Seymour

I know, I said I was taking the week off, but I just can't do it entirely. I have been so busy lately that I've put the blog on the back burner too much. I guess it's just that time of the year, things start getting hectic. But I miss it! I hate skipping days, and I keep forgetting things I want to blog about! Anyway, I'm going to make this a quick one, since my back is still not happy.

We got a new dining room table, well, sort of new. It was Uncle Jack's, who purchased it for his "assisted living/ retirement home". He ended up changing his mind about living there, and just stored the table in a back room. When he passed away a few weeks ago, it came to me.

It's a simple table, blonde wood, patterned like a butcher block. Rectangular and seats four. But, when I put it in the kitchen, WOW. It brightened up the whole room! It made it much more inviting, and fun to sit around after meals and chat. I love this table. I'm giddy with happiness over the cheerful vibe it gives off. To me, the best visiting is done around the kitchen table. Having a meal with someone is such an open gesture of fellowship and friendship. As the cook- it is so gratifying to see your guest enjoy the food. In some cultures (like the Bedouin tribes in the Middle East ) it is considered good manners to burp after the meal to show your appreciation of the food. I can usually tell without the burping though, so don't feel pressured to perform the alphabet melody at my table. But, the point is, feeding people is very satisfying to me.

I think we need to do it more, especially as Christians. There's a vulnerability and honesty in sharing a meal that brings us closer together. Hospitality is a powerful tool to bind us, and to reach other people, too. I remember visiting a church one Sunday, and being invited to eat with a family after the service. We were total strangers, yet that afternoon, we felt so welcome and wanted. Now that's how we want visitors to feel. Welcome. Wanted. It didn't matter that the meal was sort of last minute and there were no candles on the table. These people cared enough to want to get to know us better and to extend friendship and love. It went far beyond the "So nice to have you" comment on the way out of the church door.

I hope that someday I make someone feel that way. I will admit, we've only had people we know over to eat, but I would like to change that. If the opportunity arises, I will try to do what they did. Meanwhile, I'll keep the doors open for the friends and family that pass through, and hope that they leave with full bellies and full hearts.

Well, that's my thought for tonight. I'm off to lalaland and hopefully this back thing will be better tommorow.

Sorry, No Title

A Colossol Waste of Time: Legally Blonde II. Don't even bother.

On another note, I threw my back out. Yes, I'm eighty years old. I was moving furniture, and now I'm basically out of commission. So, I'm going to take a break the rest of the week from blogging, because sitting at the computer doesn't help.

Man, this entry makes me sound OLD!!

I'll be back. Whippersnappers.

Lock Down

Yesterday, I locked us out of our apartment. I'm big enough to admit it. I take full responsibility. I tried to call our landlord to let us in, but she was out of town. She suggested I try the old credit card before calling a locksmith.

Well, this cat is cool, because I jimmied that lock and to my surprise, it swung right open.

I was immensely proud of myself and wanted to do it again, but nobody else thought that was a very good idea.

Anyway, I got to be cool for a minute, then I realized how very easy it would be to break into our apartment, so now I'm a little paranoid. A cool paranoid, though.

But, in all, it was fun. However, I now have this little urge to try breaking into something else. That can't be good. I'll have to reign that in, or you may be reading about my exploits in the Recently Arrested section in the paper.

Back to Blogging

Hoorah! The blog is back!!! I've taken a break while this server thing got sorted out, and now it's back to business as usual! I've got tons to blog about, right after this commercial break.

Don't turn that dial.